Page 75 of The Fake
“To the letter,” I agree and stand in a rush. I actually feel lighter.
“I’ll let you know when I have a decision.”
I nod and shift in my chair. “Also.” I clear my throat. “I never apologized or thanked you. I put you and the team in a bad position. I know that, I see it clearer now. Thank you for believing in me enough not to toss me on my ass.”
He huffs a laugh. “It was close.” He motions with his head to the door. “Get out of here. I like you better when you’re not sucking up.”
I smile and hurry to the door. That makes two of us. Plus, I’m meeting Chloe for lunch, and I can’t wait to tell her about the job.
“And Nathan?” Coach calls after me. I pause and turn back to see him smiling at me. “I hope it works out. It sounds like a great opportunity.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
I text Heath on my way to the dorms to tell him to call me after practice.
Sydney and Emily are leaving as I get to their room. I’m cheesing at them like a lunatic, and I can’t even help it. I’m so damn excited. “Hey.”
“Hey, Nathan,” Emily says, holding the door for me. “Chloe’s in her room.”
I knock on her open door. “Chlo?”
“In the closet. Be right out.”
I plop down on her made bed to wait for her. The closet door opens, and she steps through looking like a vision. Brown midriff t-shirt and jeans that come up high on her waist so only a sliver of tanned stomach is visible. Her blonde hair is up in a ponytail, and I don’t think she has any makeup on, but she’s still the hottest girl I’ve ever seen.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say something stupid likeI love you, but she speaks and saves me the embarrassment. “Where do you want to go to eat? I’m starving.”
“I was hoping I could convince you to stay in. We can order takeout. My treat. I finally found a new job.” Maybe I’m counting my singles before payday, but it feels like this might actually happen.
She crosses to the bed and sits on the edge, one leg dangling off the side. “When did that happen?”
“This morning. It’s perfect. I’ll be working with this guy who runs an online coaching website. It’s huge, every sport you could imagine.” So many more details I want to tell her, but I pull her on my lap and take her mouth.
“I missed you,” I say when she rests her forehead against mine. “We might need to establish some new rules.”
“Rules?”
“Mhmm.” I cup the back of her neck and run a thumb along the delicate spot between her ear and collarbone. “Rule number one, I need to see my girlfriend every day.”
She kisses me then, and we fall back onto the bed.
“Say it again,” she insists.
“Rule numb—”
“No, the part where you called me your girlfriend.”
Her eyes burn into me with need and desire and hope. I’d give anything to keep that look on her face, directed at me, forever. No one has ever looked at me like I held the key to everything they ever wanted. I hope I don’t royally fuck this up.
“My girlfriend is bossy,” I tell her. “But it’s hot as fuck.”
Our clothes come off in between long kisses until she’s down to just a pair of black panties with strings holding the front to the back and I’m in my tented boxers. She climbs on top of me, her boobs bouncing and the pink buds tempting as hell.
Leaning forward, I bring my tongue to one and lick it until she sighs her appreciation.
“Your mouth… Jesus, your mouth.”
I’m about to give her other nipple the same treatment when she scrambles off my lap and strips me out of my boxers. She looks up at me through dark lashes, green eyes swirling with desire.
