Page 41 of The Pass Protection
His eyes flicker as he tries to focus on my face. “Barely.”
Patting his shoulder, I turn my attention back to the game. JP and I have five cups to hit still while Harris and Cody have two. It’s not even a competition anymore.
With a flick of my wrist, I let the white ball fly through the air. Golden liquid splashes in the air, and I smirk. “Drink up, bitch!”
Cody tsks and waves his finger. “Now, now, don’t get so cocky, young pup.”
“Oh god.” I scrunch my nose. “Don’t let that one stick.”
The guys all laugh, and I groan. For the first two years of college, I was the “class clown” of the group, and I’ve had my fair share of embarrassing moments. The guys are never going to let me live down some of them.
JP holds the ball in the air, swaying on his feet, and launches the ball toward the cup. Or what must be a blurred version for him since he missed the white rim by a mile.
“Did I make it?”
Harris bends over, clutching his stomach, and howls out a laugh. “Yeah, man. You nailed it.”
In two quick shots, the game is over, and I find myself chugging the two glasses they knock out. The warm, hoppy suds slide past my lips. With the back of my hand, I wipe the few droplets that slip free.
JP meanders off, and I hope it’s to find someone to unlock the third-floor crash pad to pass out. The guys keep their finished atticlocked for close friends to sleep over if needed. Harris and Jacobs scoot past the spectators as they make their way over to me. The three of us stare out at the dance floor where Bret and Chloe dance with a group of people. Guys try to slide their way behind the girls, but they don’t let them. Instead, they twist until they dance against each other.
“How’s it living with the coach’s daughter?”
“It’s not bad. Between everyone’s schedules, it’s like we hardly see each other.” I slide my hands in my pockets as I resist the urge to run out on the dance floor and pull my girl into my arms. But we can’t do that.
It feels like I’ve been tethered to Bret since last Christmas. I’m glad she’s finally giving us a chance, even with all the complications.
Harris takes a pull on the bottle he’s holding. “She’s pretty fucking cool.”
“That’s what Wildflower was saying. Although, there’s no way in hell I’d trade places with you guys. She’s temptation, and that’s a dangerous thing, boys.”
“I’ll be back.” I give the guys a nod as I step out of the conversation. Sliding past sweaty bodies, I’m slapped on the shoulder and congratulated as I pass people. Bret’s forest green eyes connect with mine as I flash her a wink before climbing the stairs. There’s a bathroom on the main floor, but I’m sure it’s lined up out the back.
Taking the steps two at a time, I’m relieved when the upstairs bathroom is vacant. A hand reaches out as a body slides between the wooden door as I go to shut it. “It’s about time you snuck away.”
“Rebel,” I groan as I peruse the girl I’ve been watching from afar all night.
She’s dressed in a unique oversized T-shirt that hangs long down her body. Light-washed shorts with frayed edges top her olive-toned, long athletic legs. Only the frayed edges of her distressed shorts canbe seen beneath her shirt. In true, typical fashion, Bret has a pair of sneakers on her feet.
“Those are the same shoes you wore the day you moved in.”
Her head tilts as she checks which shoes she’s wearing. “You remember?”
“Of course, I remember. Rebel, I remember everything about you. Last winter when you came to the Christmas party, you were wearing a green sweater dress that matched your eyes. Military videos make you cry, especially when soldiers come home. You’re not a pet person, but you love cat videos. Cinnamon is your favorite flavor, especially cinnamon rolls and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. You’d rather spend money on a new pair of sneakers than high-end makeup. You want to be an athletic director and fight to make sure girls are given the same opportunity as guys in sports programs. Oh, and you’re kickass at video games.”
“Okay, okay.” A laugh bubbles out of her as she wraps her arms around my neck. “I guess you do remember things about me.”
I nod, reaching my hands around her and propping her onto the counter. Our height difference isn’t too far off and with her on the elevated surface, we are now sitting at eye level.
“Great game out there. I’ve been waiting all night to tell you in person.”
“And I’ve been waiting all night to do this.” Bending down, I capture her mouth with mine, which she graciously accepts. In a fluid of motion, our hands find each other. Her warm hands slip beneath my shirt as she slides them up before scrapping her short nails against my skin.
My hands move underneath the long tee shirt as I toy with the button on her shorts. Her head nods in silent permission as I flick the button through the loop. Tugging on the band, she slides her buttcloser to the edge so that I can drag the material down her legs. She toes off her sneakers to free her legs entirely from the confines of her shorts as I drop to my knees.
“Now that’s quite the view.” Her fingers glide through my hair as I stare up.
“If you think that’s a view, you should see it from my angle.” I smirk as my lips find the soft spot of her knee as I kiss my way up her thigh. As much as I want to savor this moment, I know our time is limited. One of these nights I’m going to get to enjoy Bret Campbell in slow, languid movements without rushing and the fear of getting caught.
