Page 129 of Let You Love Me

Sweet. Thoughtful. Sexy. So fucking irresistible I don’t even know what to do with it.

If I ever doubted whether Teagan Nichols had my heart in a choke hold, this would be all the confirmation I need. I’m tired of letting fear in the driver’s seat, tired of running from something I know is real.

My chest tightens and I take a step closer, a cheeky grin spreading my lips. “Should I be jealous you’re disappointed she’s not here?”

His eyes heat as they flicker over me. Reaching out, he snags my hand in his and pulls me toward him.

I stumble, nearly crashing into his chest. “Surprised.Not disappointed. Because if she’s not here, that means I have you all to myself.”

My heart beats against my ribs. My breathing hitches.

I wonder if he’ll try to kiss me before I shake the thought off.

Of course he won’t. Other than a few moments of weakness, I’ve made it perfectly clear all I want is friendship.

Teagan’s phone starts to ring, and I catch my breath. My lungs fill. “You gonna answer that?” I tease.

Teagan grimaces, then pulls his phone from his pocket and frowns down at the screen. “Just give me a minute,” he says as he accepts the call.

I hook a thumb toward the kitchen, needing a moment to think.

Or panic, same thing, because I can feel the fissures in the walls around my heart coming down, and I’m not sure what to do about it.

“I’ll just . . .” I trail off. “Make some coffee.”

Sounds good, he mouths, then I turn and rush from the room.

I busy myself in the kitchen with the little coffee pot I got for a steal at a garage sale last year and start to fill it with water.

Teagan’s voice trickles toward me, only separated by a half wall I fully plan on tearing out to expand the kitchen and create an open concept space.

“What do you mean we have a meeting today? What the hell for?” he grinds out.

My shoulders sag with disappointment as I add the coffee grounds. A flick of the switch and seconds later, it starts to splutter while I lean against the counter with nothing left to busy myself but my racing thoughts.

I hate that Chance has gotten to my head. Absolutely detest the fact that he opened wounds and insecurities Teagan had begun to heal.

But the conversation in the other room I’m trying hard to ignore isn’t helping.

It’s wrong to eavesdrop, but I justify it by telling myself it’ll be better this way. If Teagan has to leave early and I’m prepared for it, I’ll be less disappointed. More capable of handling the letdown, rather than catching me off guard.

“So, let me get this straight,” Teagan’s voice carries to me. “Lockhart calls a last-minute strategy session to watch game tape and go over new plays on our only day off and everyone is just going to fucking jump when he says jump?”

I stiffen while my stomach lurches somewhere in the vicinity of my throat.

Chance called a last-minute meeting?

He knew I came here to meet Teagan. I don’t know how I know that, but I do; I’m sure of it. Maybe this is his way of getting even after I poked the bear at brunch? Worse yet, maybe this is his sick way of trying to prove to me Teagan’s the same as him, that he’s no better and in the end, he’ll prioritize football.

I chew my thumbnail, thinking.

If Lockhart called a meeting, everyone would be expected to go. The game next weekend against Florida State is huge, and it wouldn’t bode well for any players not willing to put in the extra work.

“Fuck that!” Teagan seethes. “Yeah, well, I don’t care if he expects everyone to be there or not, I’m not going. Today’s our only day off and I plan on spending it with Lane.”

I step forward, risking a glance at him to see him standing, one hand on his hip as he listens to the person on the other line. “So fucking be it!” he says then hangs up.

I jump back, turning away from him and toward the coffee pot as I try and wrap my head around the conversation.

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