Page 106 of Endgame

I was reluctant to admit that, even to myself, but there it was.

Six fucking fascinated me. I was drawn to her in ways I didn’t understand and it scared the hell out of me.

Bringing up Amelia was my way of trying to open up to Six. I fucked it up, like I always did, but dammit, I was trying.

I wanted her toknowme.

I also knew that I didn’t have a hope of concentrating on the game tonight if I didn’t straighten things out with her.

“Whoa,” Six exclaimed when I switched on the lights. White painted walls and cold marble floors greeted us.

The school janitor’s supply room was wastefully large. One small corner of the room was taken up with cleaning supplies, the following corner pitched a couch and a small stand with a portable television on top. Everywhere else was empty.

The smell of sex and nicotine was strong; revealing what the students of Ocean Bay Academy actually used this room for.

“This doesn’t look like any janitor’s closet I’ve ever seen,” Six gushed with wide eyes.

I raised a brow and fought back the urge to laugh. “Been in many?”

Her face turned bright pink. “Shut up. You know what I meant.”

Turning the lock in the door, I walked over to where Six was standing and fought back the urge to grab her sexy little body and shove her against the wall. Instead, I settled on tucking a strand of her long, dark hair behind her ear.

“What did you want to talk about?” she asked, voice small and breathy, eyes locked on mine. Yeah, she could say it until the cows came home, but we both knew what she wanted.

Six wanted me almost as much as I wanted her.

“Us,” I replied, closing the space between us.

“As in you and me?”

“Exactly.”

“No.” Shaking her head, Six took a step back from me. “I’m not talking about this again, Rourke. I can’t.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “It’s not a good idea.”

“For who?”

“For me!” she strangled out. “I’m leaving in a few months. Once I graduate from school and get my diploma, I won’t be coming back here.”

“So?” I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. “You think I’m sticking around here?” I shook my head. “No fucking way. I’m getting the hell out of here, too, Six.”

“Exactly. We’re on different paths.” Clasping her hands in front of her, she added, “Which is why I think it’s better for both of us if we stop this before it gets messy.”

“You really want that?” I demanded, eyes locked on hers. No fucking way was I quitting her.

Six didn’t reply and it pissed me the hell off. I knew she was nervous, her body language told me that, but dammit, I needed her to be straight with me.

“Because I don’t,” I offered without an ounce of hesitation, hoping my honesty would loosen her up. “I really fucking like you, Six, and I think you like me back.” Running a hand through my hair, I inhaled a calming breath before adding, “And I honestly can’t think of another girl I’d rather get messy with.” Sounded screwed up, but it was the truth. This girl pulled invisible strings inside of me. I was willing to take a major fucking gamble just to have her. “But I’m not going to beg. If you honest to god don’t want me, I’ll accept it. I’ll leave you alone.” Taking a safe step back from her, I said, “It’s your choice.”

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t say a word. Disappointment churned in my gut, but I masked it with a smile. “Come on,” I said. “We better get back to class.”

“Be my friend!”

My brows rose in surprise. “Yourfriend?”

She nodded slowly. “Yeah. Be my friend, Rourke.”

“Friend with…benefits?”