Page 19 of Rookie Season
“Just keep the furball out of my space, and we’re cool,” he says, but his eyes are sparkling almost…playfully.“Deal?”
“Deal.”
He turns to make his way back to his room, and I call after him. “Hey, Noah?”
“Yeah?” His eyes find mine.
“Thank you.”
The two words come out more loaded, heavier, more meaningful than I intend, and Noah studies me for a long beat before he simply nods.
“Anytime, Ally.”
CHAPTER 9
NOAH
Light filters through my curtains,telling me it’s well past the time I usually wake up. I squeeze my eyes tight, trying to stay asleep longer. This bed feels so warm, so comfortable, I never want to leave.
Finally, I give up and stretch, registering something warm and soft against my torso as I do.
That’s strange.
My eyes fly open, and I lift my comforter to find Harry Styles in bed with me, fast asleep. I groan and allow the covers to flop back down. The cat doesn’t even stir.
So much for Ally promising to keep him out of my room.
I should kick the smelly cat out of my bed; he’s probably shedding all over my sheets. The only reason I don't is because I'm still waking up.Notbecause it’s surprisingly nice having him there.
I sit up in bed and grab my phone off the nightstand, my jaw dropping when I see it’s already noon. I jump out of bed and walk to my spacious closet, pulling out some sweatpants and a white tee. Harry finally stirs, crawling out from under the covers with a stretch and a wide yawn. He plopsoff the bed and trots over to rub himself against my legs. He’s purring loudly, and I stare at him, unsure what to do.
What do cats like?I lean down and give him one pat on the head. His ears flatten, and he seems to glare at me with his cat eyes.
“Sheesh, sorry.”
The gray and black furball quickly darts out of my room through the crack in the door.Definitely closing my door tonight.
I pad to the bathroom, closing the door and making sure to lock it. I don’t need Ally seeing my bare ass again. After doing my business, I freshen my deodorant and glance at myself in the mirror. My hair is trimmed short, so it looks fine, but I have some serious dark circles under my eyes. Pretty sure the party went well past three in the morning, and it shows. With the thumping of music and echoes of drunk laughter, it was difficult to fall asleep.
Never mind that Ally was on my mind for hours, the events of the night playing in a loop on repeat at the forefront of my brain.
First, it was strange that Fisher—designated house party animal and wild child—was prepared to call off the entire party the second he looked at Ally after the game. What was that about?
And then, when I saw Sandine closing in on her, it looked like she was shaking. And while she stood her ground, chin tilted defiantly as she stared up at my drunken teammate, her body language was tense. Rigid.
Afraid.
I know fight or flight mode when I see it.
And she flinched when I touched her arm.Flinched.Like she thought I might hurt her…but then, when she saw it was my hand on her arm, sheer relief washed over her features.
What the hell had that asshole said to her?
I have no idea what caused her panic, but I do know I never want to see that look on her face ever again—because seeing her like that made me want to punch Sandine square in the face. Which would hardly help our already fraught teammate dynamic. I can’t stand the guy, but we still have to play on the same line together, no matter my personal feelings towards him.
While I’m washing my hands, I spot a bottle of what looks like perfume on the counter top. The bottle is shaped like some kind of flower, and the glass is purple. I pick it up, removing the lid and taking a whiff. It smells like Ally—er, vanilla and jasmine—according to the bottle.
Opening the lower cabinet, I find all of her products are now neatly organized in small, clear containers. One is filled with makeup products, and another is full of pads and tampons.Puck me.I find a container with one empty spot and slide the perfume inside. I close the cabinet door before I stumble upon any more female products that will make me uncomfortable.
