Page 85 of To Love or to Lose
“Shut up.” She groans, also rolling over so she can smack him on the chest.
By the look on her face, I don’t even think she realized he was shirtless until her hand touched his skin.
“Genevieve.” I hear a familiar English drawl and I jump. I hadn’t even realized I left the door open.
“What?” I ask, turning around. When he says nothing, I run my hands through my hair, stressed at the prospect of notoneof my friends being sick, buttwo. “Why are you here?”
“We need to stay away from them.” He releases a long breath, like he’s just as opposed to the idea as I am, but also more concerned aboutusgetting sick.
“This isn’t up for debate. I’m not staying in a hotel room with you,” I tell him, pulling the covers up onto both Winnie and Logan.
They’re both sweating, but they’re also shivering because of their lack of clothes.
“Well, you’re not staying in here with us while we fester,” Logan says, his voice more hoarse than I’ve ever heard it. “Collect your things and get the hell out. Who knows, it might be good for you two to spend some quality time together.”
I think my bones quake at the idea of quality time withJameson.
“I’m not in the business of spending time with people who only give a fuck about themselves,” I say, my gaze pointing toward Jameson.
“Straight from the horse’s mouth,” he mutters under his breath.
I roll my eyes. “Metaphorical insults, how classy.”
“Evie, please,” Winnie sighs. “You can’t stay here.”
The tone of her voice makes me realize the gravity of her and Logan’s sickness, and they’re begging me to spend the night in the other room proves their misery.
“You are all insufferable.” I grab my suitcase, shoveling all my clothes into it quickly. Me not having the time to fold them all neatly almost makes me itch. I pass Jameson on my way to the bathroom to finish collecting my things.
“I hope you know how to play chess,” I growl, throwing my toiletry bag in my suitcase before zipping it and rolling it toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Jameson follows me into the hallway, and once I shut the door to what was previously my hotel room, I look toward him.
“Jameson?” I ask when he goes to swipe his keycard.
He pauses, looking back. “Yeah?”
“Don’t make me regret this.”
“Checkmate,” Jameson says, trapping my king with his queen.Damn, he’s good.
We’d been bickering the entire time, until I realized my loss was inevitable—and unexpected.
When I said I hoped he knew how to play chess, I was half expecting to whoop his ass. Chess isn’t a common game to know how to play well, and yet Jameson’s execution was perfect.
It’s almost ten o’clock at night. We started once our curfew hit about an hour ago, after a long day of college fairs and even more tours.
“I’ve played chess almost my entire life.” I sigh, beginning to move the pieces back to their starting positions.
“As have I,” he replies, beginning to help me.
Our hands brush when we both go to grab the same pawn. I freeze. He moves his hand away from mine quickly, but not before we lock eyes.
“I can tell,” I laugh. “The only other person who has ever beat me is my best friend, Valerie, and she’s an anomaly.”
“Valerie Mason?” He asks.
My eyes widen in shock. “How do you know Valerie?”
