Page 20 of Unexpectedly Falling
“Fine. But I’m still going to gloat when I’m right.”
“We’ll see.”
“Yes, we will.” She pauses and I can imagine the wicked grin on her face. “Is that where you slept last night?”
“Yes. In my own room. Alone.” The last part should be implied but I still want to make it clear.
“Thou doth protest too much.”
I laugh as I stare up at the university, wondering why I wanted to talk to Kinsley about Jensen and not the incredibly humbling opportunity before me.
Meeting with Coach Turner had been the last thing I wanted to do when I’d arrived, and now I can’t hide the smile thinking about what the next couple of months will look like.
“You’re not even listening,” Kinsley says with an amused tone. “Gohomeand get settled and text me later.”
“I will.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Love you too, Kins.”
She makes a kissing noise and then disconnects the call. Shaking my head, I throw my phone back into my purse. I already miss my best friend and it’s only been a day.
Sighing, I put my seat belt on and turn up the radio. “Two Night Stands” by Kylie Morgan comes on, and all I can do is glare at the screen as I punch the button to change the channel.
There will be no happily ever afters in Blackstone Falls or anywhere else. Soccer is my life, and it’s about time I remember it.
10
JENSEN
“We need some ground rules while I’m here,” Nessa says in lieu of “hello” as she bursts through the door.
“Umm…” I say as I cock my head to the side because I’m exhausted, and I really don’t want to deal with this right now.
“I just want to make sure it’s clear that we won’t be hooking up because while ordinarily, I’d want to climb you like a tree, this situation is anything but normal,” she deadpans. “And you’re too nice for me.”
“That’s awfully presumptuous.”
“Is it though? You’re the definition of all-American boy turned sheriff do-gooder.”
“Not afraid to hurt my feelings, huh?” I say as my lips quirk up on the side. Moving to the fridge, I grab a beer and hold it out to her.
Taking it, she says, “See?Nice.”She makes it sound like something you could catch, like the flu or worse, but my charming demeanor has gotten me out of more than my fair share of trouble.
And into a few beds too.
“Nice isn’t a bad thing,” I drawl as I lean a hip against the counter.
“Of course it’s not a bad thing. I’m just saying you’re too nice for me, and I really want to make sure that nothing jeopardizes my ability to have a relationship with Remi.”
Her eyes are sincere and I know that she’s letting me see it rather than just telling me how it is. My heart warms, and I nod even though I want to laugh at her assessment that I’m too nice for her.
My mind has already conjured plenty ofnot nicethings I’d like to do to her, but I shut that line of thinking down just as quickly.
Because she’s right.
She’s off-limits, not because I want her to be but because she has to be—for my sanity and for Remi.
