Page 56 of Rebound
Roman holds my eyes long enough for me to feel like he’s trying to stare straight into my soul. “What if I want you?”
“Why?I’ve literally had three boyfriends, on three separate occasions, tell me I’m boring and predictable. Honestly, the most interesting thing about me is hockey. I don’t do anything else, other than stay at home and read books.”
I sigh.
“I like doing the podcast and I like posting content, but even that feels like a chore. I’m not interesting. You literally travel the world, speak multiple languages, and you have a gaggle of beautiful women showing up at your games throwing themselves at you.”
I didn’t intend to have a vulnerable word vomit, but that’s where orgasmic bliss and alcohol led me. I can’t be blamed for it, though I’m sure I’ll find ways tomorrow when I’m suffering with regret and a hangover.
Roman blinks down at me, his expression unreadable. Slowly, like I’m a skittish animal he’s trying to capture, Roman wraps his hand around my throat and leaves it there. Letting me feel the weight of it. Waiting for me to react. I swallow and his fingers flex around my throat.
“I don’t know what those weak, pathetic men have told you, and maybe one day I’ll have you tell me when I don’t feel this murderous rage. You’re right, I have traveled the world, which is why I can safely say that there is only one Lavinia Callahan andno one else even compares. You’re not boring and you’re sure as fuck not predictable.”
I rest my hands on his stomach, leaning into him. “And I’m supposed to trust you?”
“Yeah, you are, baby. Just replace those pesky voices inside your head with my voice. Because I can guarantee you’re never going to find a better hype man.”
“I’m tired of being boring and predictable,” I whisper, though I doubt he can hear me. “Let’s go do something fun. We’re in Sin City. Let’s take full advantage.”
“I think I know the place.”
He waits for me to get Jules from the VIP room because I can’t leave my best friend here. Luckily, the hotel is only a block away.
“Where are you going?” Jules asks, when we’re back in the room and I’m changing into a more comfortable pair of shoes.
“I’m not sure, but I also don’t care.”
I hug and wish her good night and she reminds me to keep my phone on me at all times.
Roman takes my hand and I expect him to pull me along, but he doesn’t. He puts me in front of him, keeping his hand on my waist as he leads me out of the hotel. The air outside is a little muggy and I breathe in deeply, my ears still ringing from the noise. Roman keeps one arm around me as he hails down a cab for us.
I feel this spark in the air when I get in the cab with him. Something in the air that feels different, that makes me feel lighter. Like maybe even the universe is trying to tell me that things are about to change.
NINETEEN
LAVINIA
I come to consciousness so suddenly my head spins. One second, I’m dead to the world and the next my brain starts firing off and I sit up, completely unaware of my surroundings. There’s a pounding in my head and the bright lights are hurting my eyes.
I groan and fall forward, hiding my face. What is happening? Am I dead? Is this hell?
“Good morning, sunshine.”
The voice is familiar. I know it, I’ve heard it my whole life. I turn my head slightly and groan again because even that is too much effort and has my stomach rolling.
“Jules,” I sob. “What happened?”
Lifting a hand, I put a finger on an eyelid and force it open. I find Jules lying on top of her bed, wearing the hotel provided bathrobe. Her hair’s been washed and dried and she’s chewing on a breakfast sandwich as she reads on her e-reader.
“What time is it?” I wince at the sound of my voice. It sounds like I swallowed a frog last night.
“Just a little after eleven, princess.”
I clutch my head as the pounding refuses to stop. I can’t remember the last time I slept so late. I’m usually the first oneup between the two of us. I go for my run, get us coffees, run errands, all before Jules even wakes up.
“My head is killing me.”
“I assume it will be, baby doll.”
