Page 59 of Offsides

I could … Tomorrow is Sunday, so I don’t have to be anywhere at a particular time. “I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”

“I’m sure we could find you something to wear if you need it. But you can stay naked most of the time if you want.”

Laughing, I turn onto my back so I can look at him. “You don’t think Jackson would have an issue if I wandered around your apartment naked?”

He props his head on his hand, his other hand still resting on my rib cage, his thumb moving slowly back and forth like he can’t get enough of touching my skin. “Jackson would probably turn as red as a tomato if he saw you naked. He’s less easily embarrassed than he used to be now that he and Autumn are together, but I think their nudity is all he can reasonably be expected to handle. But Jackson’s not here. And I’m sure your roommate wouldn’t mind him staying there if we wanted the place to ourselves all night.”

“That’s true,” I say slowly, not entirely comfortable with the idea, but uncertain how to articulate that or why.

“Why does that make you feel bad?” Eli asks softly, all too good at reading me like a book.

I flare my nostrils. “Sometimes it’s annoying that you know me as well as you do.”

That makes him laugh, and he answers me with a lingering smile on his face. “I’d apologize, but I’m not actually sorry about that. I like that we know each other really well already. It makes this”—he makes a circle with his hand, encompassing us—“easier in so many ways. There’s so much less awkwardness and weird get-to-know-you stuff. I know you. I mean, there are definitely things I’m still discovering, but I know the most important things.”

“Oh? And what are the most important things?” The question comes out more archly than I intend. It’s a defense mechanism. I’m not used to people saying sweet things to me. I’m asking so he’ll continue, because I like it. It’s healing long forgotten places deep inside that want approval and praise. But the part of me that’s so used to looking for approval and instead receiving criticism is still very present.

He gives me a lopsided smile like he sees right through me. He probably does. His fingers trace up and down my arm. “I know that you’re smart and strong and beautiful. And I know that you have difficulty with compliments.” His eyes flicker up to mine, then back to the path his fingers are tracing. “I know you care deeply about your friends and generally take no shit and that you have a huge competitive streak that you mostly keep under wraps until you feel safe enough to let it out.” He slides his arm around me and tugs me against him, his eyes on mine. “I know that you feel safe enough with me to do that. And it makes me happy knowing that I’m special enough to be let into that very small inner circle.”

I blink, a bit overwhelmed by that recitation of Eli’s view of me. And I’m grateful he doesn’t seem to need a response, because he covers my mouth with his and kisses me deeply.

When he settles in again, once again turning me over so he can spoon me, he sighs, sounding content. “You never answered the question, though,” he says lazily. “Will you stay the night? Or would you rather go home?”

I don’t really have to think very hard about the question. The temptation of more of this is far too great.

“I’ll stay.”

* * *

I come home the next day around noon, wearing the same dress I left in last night. Eli offered to let me borrow some of his clothes, but I didn’t think that would actually be any better.

Piper and Autumn are in the living room when I arrive, and they both look me up and down from my obvious sex hair to my second-day clothes and immediately let out whoops of excitement.

I can feel my cheeks getting hot from their assessment. It’s not like they don’t know what I was doing. I mean, Autumn had Jackson here last night so that I could stay over with Eli. I know they know.

That doesn’t make their enthusiastic response to my arrival any less embarrassing.

“So,” Piper starts, “I take it things went well.”

I can’t help laughing. “Yeah, I guess you could say so.”

Grinning, Autumn shakes her head and takes a sip out of the mug in her hand. “As always the queen of understatement.”

I do a little curtsy that makes them both laugh.

“No, but seriously,” Piper says. “You have to give us more details than that.”

I tilt my head to one side, face screwed up in thought, and tap my lips with one finger. “Hmm. You know? I’m not sure that I do.”

“Dani!” Piper shouts as I head down the hallway for my room. Of course I’m not off the hook that easily. Piper follows me. And when I glanced back over my shoulder, I see Autumn sipping her tea at the entrance to the hallway. They’re both dying for me to dish. The problem is, I’ve never had a lot of female friends. I have no idea how to dish, even if I wanted to.

Turning, I stand in the doorway to my bedroom with my arms crossed. “What is it that you want to know, Piper? It’s not like you don’t know what we were doing. Do you really need to make a huge production of my first walk of shame?”

She holds up one finger. “First, I’m not sure it counts as a walk of shame if you’re actually in a relationship with the guy. I’m pretty sure walk of shame only applies to one-night stands.” She holds up a second finger. “Second, I want to know what you actually did on your date last night. We got you all dressed up, and all I know is that he said you weren’t going to dinner and a movie. Apparently you shit all over that idea when he brought it up? Or at least that’s what he said. And he also said that it was okay because he knew you liked to be more active than that. So what did you end up doing? And was it okay that you were in a dress? I know that you’re not big on dresses in general so I hate to think that you were miserable all night because of us. Because we assumed it was a standard dinner date and based on what Eli said, I don’t think it was.”

My frustration and embarrassment melts under Piper’s obvious show of concern. “We went bowling.”

“Bowling?” Autumn repeats from her spot at the end of the hall. She’s taken a few steps inside, but hasn’t come much closer.

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