Page 107 of The Strike Zone

I nodded. “Yep, Tanner and me, plus Ace and Lux. This floor has two apartments on it. We each take half of the building.”

“Is everyone here?”

“No, Ace is at his girlfriend’s. Lux and Radley went to bed already.”

Scout’s eyes widened again, I couldn’t tell if it was because she was still genuinely impressed with the apartment or if she was nervous at the thought of so many people being here.

In truth, I was kind of nervous too.

We’d never spent time togetherwith people—with friends. I’d been to hers a couple of times when her roommate was away, but this would be the first time we’d be in a group, and I sent out a silent prayer I wouldn’t blow it.

Although given Tanner was now drinking down the remains of his cereal while spilling milk everywhere, including down his chin, I’d say the likelihood of Scout leaving before sunrise would be down to our caveman ways of living.

When he was done, he swiped an arm across his face, pushed out of his stool, and deposited his empty bowl into the sink. “I’m going to bed. I’m not going to stick around so I can be reminded I’m the only one without a girlfriend.”

“Night, Tan,” I called, only to get a grunt in response as he disappeared down the corridor leading to his room.

Scout turned to me. “What did that mean?”

“Nothing, just ignore him.” I shook my head, picking up the two bottles of water I’d taken from the fridge, and draped my spare arm around her shoulder. “Come on, it’s bedtime.”

“Do you mind if I shower?”

“Nope, because I’m joining you.” I grinned and silently led her down the corridor all the way to the end, where my bedroom door was wide open.

Because Scout hadn’t come back with us, I’d taken the opportunity to rush home from the game, steal some of the candles Ace was always burning, and light them around my room. The blinds were open, so between the city lights and the flickering flames, the place looked like it was glowing, and even if I did say so myself, it looked pretty fucking cool. Especially with the rain.

It was the most effort I’d ever gone to, and if I was a girl, I’d definitely sleep with me.

“Wow.” She walked straight to the windows at the end, stopping in front of where the Empire State Building stood tall fifteen blocks away, with its top floors glowing green. “This view is seriously amazing.”

“Sure is.”

I guess she expected me to be looking out the window, too, except when she turned around, my eyes were on her, and her only. Where they’d been since she’d walked in. Where they always were when she was around.

Her head crooked as she peered at me. “What’re you doing?”

“Nothing, just watching you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yup.”

“Why?”

My mind swirled with a million thoughts, a million reasons why I would be watching her. But that’s not what she meant.

“Because…because I’ve thought about this for so long, and now you’re finally here in my bedroom…well…” I grinned wide, a poor attempt to lighten the moment and stem the near-overwhelming flow of emotions rising in my chest. “I just hope you’re prepared.”

“I’m prepared.”

Scout stepped back. She was doing that thing she did when she was nervous, where she kind of chewed her lip,exceptshe didn’t look nervous. Her pupils had flared way too much for that.

I stayed where I was as she slowly removed her sneakers, followed by her jacket, letting it fall to the floor.

My mouth dropped.

I hadn’t noticed much about what she was wearing when she arrived, beyond the shorts and a tee she’d had on at the game today. I was too focused on kissing her and dragging her into my lair. If I had seen, there’s no way I’d have stopped to chat to Tanner.

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