Page 91 of Stick It
I hesitate, unsure whether I should admit to anything, but it’s exhausting keeping this secret to myself, not having someone to talk it through with.
With a sigh, I lower my voice. “I’ve kissed three of them.”
Behind us, Ethan coughs, a hacking noise like he’s just swallowed a fly.
Wide-eyed, I snap my head back toward him at the same time Wren does, but he waves us away. Maybe he really did choke on a bug or something.
I frown but force myself to ignore him. Wren and I bring our heads closer together so we can keep our conversation between us.
She’s beaming like she just won a Golden Globe. “Three out of four? Damn, Dylan. Let me guess…” She taps her finger against her chin. “Griffin, definitely. The way that man looks at you, I’m surprised he hasn’t already hauled you off to his cave and claimed you as his own.”
Her words are startlingly close to the truth. Instead of a cave, it was the gym, but Griffin has made a claiming that I have yet to acknowledge or really think too deeply about, because I have absolutely no idea what the hell to do with that information.
She side-eyes me, and I nod my confirmation.
“Finn?” she guesses next, surprising me.
“How did you guess?”
She chuckles. “He has this permanenthate to want youscowl in place any time you’re around.”
“Gee, thanks,” I droll. “Talk about flattering.”
She waves away my dramatics. “It’s a process. I’m sure he will get there in the end.”
The question is, do I want him to get there? What do I want from Finn? From any of them?
“As for guy number three.” She hums, eyes flicking between me and Ethan as she debates. “Jax or Ethan…” She trails off. Then, after another glance at Ethan—who seems to be making a point of looking anywhere but at us, but I swear I canfeelhis attention on my back—she smirks. “Ethan.”
I bark out a laugh. “Wrong.”
Her eyebrows lift. “Really?” She sounds shocked. “Because given that lovers’ quarrel I walked into back there, I’d bet my tuition I’m right.”
I shake my head. “You’re totally misreading that. Ethan is just protective. I’m a Steelhawk, and he feels responsible for every player on the team.”
Wren gives me alook. “Uh-huh. Sure. And that’s why he’s staring at you like he’s debating throwing you over his shoulder and running off into the woods.”
I scoff. “You’ve got it all wrong. He’s the captain. It’s hisjobto make sure I’m okay. He was basically ordered to by Coach. That’s it. Nothing more.”
Wren scans my face before she smirks wickedly. “But you want there to be something more.”
“What— I— No,” I splutter, before sighing. “I’m not supposed to want anything with any of them. They’re my teammates. Myroommates,” I spell out—for her benefit as well as my own.And yet, you keep kissing one, you let the other feel you up at every opportunity, and the third is getting you off in the gym.Jesus, when did my life become such amess?
“So, who was the best kisser?” Wren wags her eyebrows suggestively.
I snort, shaking my head and refusing to answer. I’m thankful when we reach the cafeteria, although I admit I feel lighter for sharing that with her. Even if it hasn’t done much to unjumble my chaotic thoughts when it comes to the guys.
Wren pulls open the cafeteria door, stepping inside. I move to follow, but Ethan’s hand wraps around my wrist, pulling me back.
I turn, glancing down at where his fingers have a firm yet gentle grip on me, noting the buzzing beneath my skin. Slowly, I lift my gaze to meet his. His eyes, dark and unreadable, lock on mine as he steps closer. Too close, until the warmth of his body is pressing into mine.
Lowering his head, his breath brushes my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Careful, Dylan. You’re playing a dangerous game.”
His words are a caress across my skin. A taunt. A warning, but for me or for himself, I’m not sure. Does this mean he heard my conversation with Wren? Does he know I’ve kissed three of his friends—his teammates? Do I want him to?
He lingers a moment longer, his lips ghosting over my jaw, just barely, before he releases me and steps back. His eyes continue to hold mine captive as he reaches above my head to grab ahold of the door to the cafeteria and keep it open, and his voice is an octave deeper than normal as he gestures inside. “After you.”
