Page 64 of Merry Mischief List

“All safe to look, Coach,” Andi says in a condescending tone, and I look up to see them both covered in hotel bathrobes. “What are you doing out here?”

“What amIdoing out here?” I ask, glancing between them. Andi’s face is full of amusement, and Stella looks like she’s about to shit herself.

“Yeah,” Andi presses. “What areyoudoing out here?”

“Girl, shut up,” Stella whisper-shouts. “Sorry,” she says, turning her attention to me. “You’ll have to excuse her. She hasn’t learned the proper methods of ass kissing your way out of a problem.” I glance at Andi, fighting a laugh.She knows how to kiss ass just fine.

“It’s past curfew,” I say firmly. “And I assume I don’t need to remind you nudity is against school rules.”

“Of course not,” Stella says, clearly panicking.Poor girl.“Are you gonna report us?”

“I’m not going to relay this to Dean Riley,” I say, and she lets out a breath of relief. “I’ll chalk it up to stress from today’s events paired with New Year’s celebrations. But this is your first and last warning.”

“Yes.” Stella nods her head profusely. “Thank you. And it’ll never happen again, and we’re so sorry if you felt violated or anything. And I swear it was a one-time thing. We were completing a stupid bet, and like I said, it’ll never ever happen again.”

“Yeah,” Andi says, rolling her lips together to fight a smile. “We’resoooosorry, Coach. We promise you’ll never have to see us naked again.”She’s asking to be punished.

“Andi,” Stella chastises again. “Stop. Talking.”

“Yeah, Ms. Lyons,” I say sternly. “The more you open your mouth, the worse the punishment will be.”

Stella’s eyes widen. “No punishment needed, Coach Porter. Truly.”

My eyes swing to Andi’s. “Let’s go,” I instruct. “I’m escorting you back to your rooms.”

“Oh, come on,” Andi argues. “That’s hardly necessary.”

I spin around and cock a brow at her. She rolls her eyes, but I can tell by the way she bites her lower lip she’s loving this. We return to the hotel lobby and make our way to the elevator. The girls are whispering to each other, and I pretend I don’t notice. A bell dings, signaling the elevator’s arrival, and I gesture for them to go inside.

“What are your room numbers?” I ask.

“324,” Stella replies.

“And yours, Ms. Lyons?” I ask after Andi doesn’t reply.

“383,” she grumbles.Well, that’s convenient.

I press the button for the third floor, and silence blankets the elevator as the doors click shut and we begin our ascent. The tension is thick, and I find myself wishing Andi and I were alone.Then again, I’d probably have her pinned against the side of the elevator before we reached the second floor.The bell dings, and the metal doors slide open, yanking me out of the daydream. The girls stroll out, and I follow behind them.

“The escort really isn’t necessary,” Stella says. “I promise we’re heading back to our rooms. Right, Andi?”

“Yeah, totally,” Andi says sarcastically.

“I think I’d rather make sure for myself.” I smile tightly.

We arrive at Stella’s room, and she unlocks the door. She glances between us, mouthssorryat Andi, and scurries inside.

The moment the door shuts, Andi turns to me, an annoyed but amused expression on her face.

“Really?” she says. “Was that necessary?”

“You did break the rules.”

Andi’s smile breaks free as we turn to walk slowly down the dimly lit hallway. “You know,” she says quietly, “Iamnaked under this robe.”

My eyes slide to hers, jaw ticking. “Don’t taunt me, Cupcake.”

“I’m not,” she replies, putting her hands up in defense. “Just stating facts.”

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