Page 63 of Dirty Roulette
“You know the answer, but you’re just as blind to say it as she is scared to admit it. I don’t want to hurt her. Can you at least trust that I’m not going to?”
“No, because as much as you hate to admit it, you’re drinking to get over Brittni, and youwillhurt Payton. But whatever... Tell her not to wait up.”
I lift a brow. “You really like this Noah guy with the barbie hair?” I point my head in the direction of him out on the patio deck doing curls with a cinder brick.
“Yeah...”
“I didn’t think you’d be into gothic band geeks.”
“Not as weird as Payt being into famous college football players, but we both know I will personally choke you in your sleep if you hurt her.” She flashes me her cocky smile and wiggles her fingers telling me to piss off.
“Later.” I flip her off.
Payton stumbles out of the bathroom with the towel and her bathing suit wrapped in a ball around her arms. Charlie gives her a side hug before we dip.
I open the passenger door, and she climbs inside the Jeep and I round the corner and hop in. I’m surprised she doesn’t dig through her collection of music in the glove box. Instead, she stares out the window. Streetlights smear orange and yellow hues along the highway.
Silence makes my skin crawl. The desire to leap into her brain and understand what she is thinking about digs a hole in my chest.
“I’m a bit tired...” Payton leans her forehead against the window, her eyes far away.
My grip tightens around the steering wheel, my heart hanging on by a thread with the coldness. “Would you like me to drop you off at the dorm?” I ask.
“Yeah...”
“Okay.” I leave it at that. Within another ten minutes, I pull up to the dorms, park along the red zone and place the Jeep in park. I shut off the engine knowing I’ll only be gone a second as I leap out. Payton crawls out of the Jeep quicker than I can round the corner, and I feel like a jackass for not reaching the door in time to let her out. My teeth chew on the inside of my cheek as I walk her up the steps making sure she at least gets to her door. Her eyes are droopy as she digs around in her purse jiggling a set of keys.
“I’m sorry for upsetting you. I really got caught up in everything else. I’ll make time for you.”
“It’s fine. It’s not like we are boyfriend and girlfriend. It’s just Roulette. That’s all it is... right?”
I swallow and shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans, knowing I’m going to fidget and get anxious. “Do you want more from me?” I ask. She fiddles with her keys and turns her back against me, shovingthe key into the lock, twisting and jerking the handle until the door creaks open.
“I know it’s not what you want. I regret this whole stupid thing.” She fights with the key in the lock yanking on it. “Thanks for the ride home. I’ll see you later.” She slams the door closed.
I bite my tongue wanting to punch myself in the face. “Goodnight!” I shout.
Chapter twenty-one
Ryder
Aflight attendant greets me as I step onto the aircraft. People are slow as hell, blocking the aisle as they shove bags into the overhead compartments. My tank is running on empty – I’m surviving with three hours of sleep and Red Bulls are fueling my bloodstream. All I want is a bed to crash on after another midnight shift, but once we arrive and settle in at the hotel, we’ll have to head straight to the stadium for tonight’s game.
Coach still isn’t fully happy with Brody and I fighting. I’ve been reminded constantly that if I make one wrong move, I’ll be benched. While I get chewed into, Brody coaxes his way back into Coach's good graces, and I’m not surprised. He’s strutting down the aisles, high-fiving all the players before finding his seat in the back.
Looking at the letters above the seats, I stop at G, then at Naomi by the window zipping her carry-on. Double-checking my ticket, I’m right next to her. Being rude is the last thing I want to come off as, but I’m cursing under my breath.
I throw the bag off my shoulder, and it thuds on the floor. They never make planes tall enough for someone over six feet, and I’m ducking as I plop down.
Payton hurries through the aisle with hands buried in the pockets of her green hoodie. Passengers hold up the line, and she stops next to me. Her tight ass is right in my view, and she radiates the warm scent of vanilla. She’s two rows behind me, and I’m wishing Naomi would trade spots.
Brittni trails down behind Payton. Her green eyes fixate on me. Hard nubs poke out of the tight crop top and the acid-stained shorts ride up her tan legs. My throat dries up. The way she dresses is an attempt to ensnare my attention. She decides to put her luggage above my seat. Her pierced belly button brushes against my face as she stands on her tiptoes with wedged sandals. Any other chick I wouldn’t question the intentions of, but it’s her.
“Hurry up hoe!” Autumn squeals and nudges her with enough force to knock her off her feet. Brittni yelps and falls over the armrests, face-planting into my lap. Gravity is a bitch and her bag plummets to the floor. She’s heaving in a laugh as she sits up.
I clear my throat. “Do you need help?”
“I’d love that.” She grabs me between the thighs, and my junk is in the palm of her hands. “You’re so sweet.” The words whisper into my ears. “You should come hang out with me after the game.” She pecks me on the cheek before getting up. I weasel out of the seat, and grab her bag, stowing it snugly.
