Page 51 of Cross the Line
“Should’ve brought your jersey,” he smirks, color blooming high on his cheekbones, reminding me exactly what we did the last time I wore it.
As if my imagination needed fuel, Jayden shifts under me, a subtle buck that sparks heat in my belly.
Are they trying to kill me?
“You better get an early night,” Ansel calls.
“Yeah, no fucking shenanigans. Everyone in their own bed,” Erik adds, giving us a look that ricochets between all three of us as Jayden stands, taking me with him.
I wait for Matheo or Christina to snipe, but they’re still in their bubble. With everything she’s told me about her dad, I won’t interrupt. A little fun is the medicine she deserves.
“How about you worry about what’s in your bed,” Jayden snarks back, his hand warm at my spine while Elijah’s arm settles heavy over my shoulders. I tip into Elijah as he kisses my hair; Jayden falls into step on my other side.
As we walk off, Dylan hollers, “See you at practice. Bright, early, and you better be bushy fucking tailed.”
“You think theyknowknow?” Jayden chuckles, leaning in so my head tucks under his chin, and his face hovers inches from Elijah’s in our reflection on the mirrored wall ahead.
The memory of Jayden and Matheo’s conversation a while back flashed in my head.
You and him…
Me and him…?
You go where he goes; he goes where you go. You’re always together. Always freakishly in sync…
The question twists my insides with worry. Maybe we should’vebeen more careful… discreet. Like Lex said on the jet. Except, when they touch me, all my senses go out the window, and I just want more.
“They’re assholes, not stupid, JJ,” Elijah retorts with a throaty chuff, more nonchalant than I’ve ever heard him.
“Let’s be honest, they’ve taken enough hits to the head to make them slower up there.”
Elijah reaches and taps Jayden’s forehead with his knuckles. “And how many hits have you taken?”
“Mmm… explains a lot, I suppose,” Jayden laughs, deep enough to set me off, too.
The tight fist in my lungs unfurls, leaving me open and free to lose myself in the moment with them.
It feels too perfect, too good to be like this—sandwiched between their strong bodies, enveloped in their warmth, sheltered by their shadow. No matter where we are or what we’re doing, I am safe and cherished. Wanted like I’ve never been. Unconditionally loved from the bottom of my heart to the edges of my soul.
And it’s not just blissful. It is heaven.
CHAPTER 14
ELIJAH
“Does Christina need a room?” I ask when we reach Jayden’s floor. Normally we’re on the same level, if not next door; today, he’s on nineteen and I’m on twenty-one.
“Matheo said she could have Oliver’s room now that he’s gone home,” Finley replies, looking between us.
“That’s not possible. Weissman checked out…” I eye Jayden as he backs out of the elevator. “Maybe she can have your suite?”
It takes him a second to read between the lines—those knocks to the head earning their keep. When it lands, he freezes, wide eyes locked on me.
“Uhm, yeah… sure. I mean, I can crash in your suite, and Christina can have mine. The rookies always get the shit rooms anyway, so she’ll probably prefer mine, and?—”
“Great, that’s sorted.” I cut off his stuttered ramble with a chuckle.
He looks shocked stupid, almost tripping as he keeps backing down the corridor. We trail him to his suite.
