Page 55 of Overtime
“Just friends. Like us?” I give her a pointed look.
“No. Not like us.”
“You’re not going to that party. It’s nothing but sex and alcohol fueling a bunch of insane shit that Tobias shouldn’t even be participating in. But then he refuses to grow up or listen to anything I say. The same way he thinks it’s hilarious to give you family tickets and put you in his jersey. And you just fucking play along.” My tone is laced with contempt, and I watch as her face shifts as she takes in the fact I’m legitimately pissed off.
She reaches out and her palm slips down my chest.
“Or maybe you just need to have some downtime and a chance to relax. Not have all this weight on your shoulders.”
“Relax,” I scoff.
“You’re right that Tobias probably needs some grounding. But you need some… whatever the opposite of that is, maybe just fun? I’m sure that’s why he’s teasing you. You’re still very young, Colt. You have your whole life ahead of you. You don’t always have to be this reserved—strung this tight.”
“I’m fine.”
“Then go to the party with me. When I was your age, I would have died to be invited to parties like this one. So I can pretend to be young again and you can take the night off from pretending to be old.”
I don’t know how the hell she does this. Turns the whole thing around and makes it seem like a reasonably good idea. Like I’m the one being ridiculous about the situation. I know I can’t talk her out of this party though, and if she’s going… I’m going.
“Fine. I need to go home and change though.”
“Me too. You want to pick me up, or I can meet you at your place?”
“Come to my place, and we’ll drive from there.” Because while I haven’t admitted defeat yet, I fully intend to have her in my bed tonight. “Ben and Violet not going?”
“No. Violet says Ben doesn’t care for them.”
“Because he’s smart.”
“Okay well, you can join him in being a curmudgeon tomorrow. But tonight you’re mine, and we’re going.” She grins as her eyes drift over me, and I want to kiss her so badly. I almost do, my lips a hairsbreadth away from hers before I pull back.
“Whatever you wear tonight better be for me.” I smack her on the ass playfully. “Now let’s get you to your car.”
* * *
We’re notat the party long before the music is insanely loud, and half the people here are already drunk. Joss is enjoying every second though, flitting around making friends, and chatting with everyone she meets. I watch her from a barstool when Tobias comes up and throws an arm around me.
“Can’t believe you came, but I’m glad you’re here. You want a drink?”
“Nope. I’ve got something.” I hold up the glass of flavored soda water I’m sipping.
“Did you see your girl after the game?” He grins.
“Yeah, I saw your handiwork.” I shake my head.
“And nothing?” He looks at me, disappointment staining his face.
“What did you expect would happen?”
He runs a hand over his face. “Listen I am trying fucking hard here to give you the excuse you need to just take what you fucking want and you drop the ball at every-fucking-turn.”
I frown at him. “Are you drunk right now?”
“No, I’m not fucking drunk. Your girl, she wants you. But she wants you to want her, okay? And I don’t mean you sit around and wait for her to make the fucking move.Youmake the move.”
“You don’t know her. We agreed not to get involved while she’s here.”
“I don’t know her well. But just the few conversations we’ve had about you… The way she looks at you when you’re around. You’re dense as fuck if you think she doesn’t worship the ground you walk on. She’s just trying to give you your space if you want it. She told me she hurt you before, and she regrets it.”
