Page 31 of Hidden Plays
“Fine.” With a huff, I strode to the mats, picked up a band and stepped into it. This shit better work. Swinging my leg across my body, the band stretched, which resisted my movement. Heat built in my hip.
Holden stepped toward me and in a low voice, he said, “So, you and Miguel are back together?” He pursed his lips.
Do I tell him the truth? Nope, I made my bed with this lie. I shrugged. “Yeah, guess so. We had a good time after you left.” I gave him my wickedest smirk.
“You did, huh?” Dipping his head, he chewed his thumbnail. “And you really fucked him?” He peeked at me from under his blond bangs.
“I did.” My gut tensed. I didn’t particularly like lying topeople, but this was Holden. He deserved it. I swung my leg a few times more and stopped.
His gaze skimmed the room and stopped on me, his brows lowering. “I thought you reserved that for people you connected to.”
“I do. We have a connection. We dated for nine months.” I stepped out of the band, heat flickering through my chest. “What do you care?”
“I…” He worried his lower lip. “I don’t, I guess.” He rubbed the heel of his hand into his chest. “Should I stop texting now? I can assume Miguel will text you instead, right?” He peered toward Casey, pushing the bar on a leg machine, his feet planted on the footplate.
Casey and the other guys didn’t know I’d met Miguel last night and, in reality, I’d made no plans with him. How could I make this work? Skimming my hand over the back of my hair, I chuckled and said, “No, keep texting for a few more days in case they ask about it. Miguel’s texts won’t sound the same.”
“Yeah, okay.” He shifted his stance. “Let’s, uh, work in on the leg press with Casey.”
“Anything you say.” With a sly grin, I followed him to the leg machine. I’d made Holden uncomfortable. My job here was done.
Saturday morning,we boarded a bus to take us to UCLA, a seven-hour drive from Phoenix. I couldn’t wait to play in cooler temperatures. I passed Holden, who was sitting with Coach Bowden and looking over plans on a laptop. Over the last few days, I’d only gotten a few text messages from him, and they’d been generic and boring. They weren’t worth showing to the guys.
Peeking at me, Holden clenched his jaw as I walked by.
Casey beamed at me from the middle of the bus. “Get your ass down here, Matthews.”
He was sitting behind fucking Cooper, who was next to Eli. Fuck it. I had to get over Myles. After ambling down the aisle, I sank in next to Casey and rested my backpack between my feet. “You ready for tonight?”
“Sure as hell am.” His smile widened. “I bet the boyfriend will miss you this weekend.”
Cooper twisted in his seat. “You have a new boyfriend?” His brows raised.
“Sort of.” Wincing, I glanced at Casey. Dude had a big mouth. “I’ve been seeing someone.”
Casey tagged my shoulder. “You told me you were falling in love the other day.”
“Did I say that?” Fuck, I did. It had been for Holden’s benefit, though it probably didn’t matter to him. I choked out a laugh. “Maybe it was the afterglow of getting laid.”
“You got laid?” Eli twisted in his seat, planting his hand on the back of it. “About fucking time.”
“I’d have to agree.” Except, it had been so long since I’d done anything sexual with a guy, I might be a virgin again. I glanced toward the front of the bus and Holden, chatting with Coach. He didn’t care. He never cared. An ache burrowed into my heart. I had to forget about him too.
“Have you gotten any sexy text messages then?” Casey leaned in and glanced at the pocket of my joggers, the outline of my phone showing through the fabric.
“Maybe.” I wouldn’t show them the crap Holden had texted. With the corner of my lip curling, I said, “But these are only for me.”
“I suppose you’ve got a bunch of dick pics to use for your spank bank this weekend.” Eli freed a sharp laugh.
“Gross, dude. I’m sharing a room with him.” Casey shoved Eli’s shoulder and eyed me. “If you’re going to do that, make sure you’re stealthy about it. I don’t want to know.”
Eli’s gaze swung to Cooper. “You too, man. I know you and Myles are up to some kinky shit when you go on the road.”
Cooper’s jaw dropped. “No, we?—”
“Yes, you are. I’ve heard the vibrating sleeve toy you two use.” Casey snorted.
“I don’t need to hear this.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I fished in my backpack for my headphones. I was so done with this conversation.
