Page 18 of Wild Love
“If you want to share a hotel room, maybe get naked and wrestle, then by all means.” He winks.
“Tempting,” I say sarcastically. “But my favor does solve the shared bed situation. I need to stop by my dad’s house and get a few items for the apartment. It’s on the way, and that will save me from having to buy a bunch of stuff when I get there. We can stay there Saturday night.”
“Ah, shit. The apartment isn’t furnished?” He looks stunned.
“No, but I don’t need much, and my dad said I could borrow a few things for the summer, so I don’t have to take stuff from the apartment here. The couch is Reagan’s anyway.”
He nods thoughtfully. “Sure. I have room in the trailer for whatever you need, or you can borrow anything of mine. Maybe just crash with me.” His eyes light up. “One bed… it was meant to be.”
“There isn’t enough room in your bed for me and the girls that hop in and out of it.”
He chuckles softly.
“A bed, a chair or couch, and I’ll be fine.” I step forward and hug him. His body is warm and hard. “Thank you, Johnny.”
A second passes with me squeezing his waist before his arms wrap around my back. When he speaks, the words vibrate against my cheek. “You’re welcome.”
* * *
Reagan plansa whole night of drinks and dancing for the four of us Friday night before I leave.
“It’s the first summer we’ve been apart since we met.” My best friend holds my hand as we watch Ginny and Sienna on the dance floor. We’re taking a breather and having our third shot. The bartender hates us. We keep making her split the shots into two glasses, so we don’t get hammered too fast. Plus, it’s cheaper because they almost always fill the glasses more than halfway. It’s like a shot and a half combined. Score!
We toss back the half shots, and then Reagan takes my other hand. “I know that I’ve been preoccupied with Adam and all the drama with my mom, but I love you so much. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Rea.” I squeeze her hands. My best friend is tough as nails. She had to be thanks to an absent mother who only shows up when she wants something from her beautiful and talented daughter. “It’s only two months.”
“I know.” She pulls her honey-blonde hair over one shoulder and fingers a strand nervously. “It’s just that with everyone graduating and leaving, it’s starting to hit me that we won’t be roommates forever. Promise we’ll always be friends no matter where we live or how long we have to go without seeing one another?”
It’s an easy promise to make. “I swear it.”
I get to my feet and pull her into a hug. She had a shitty mother, and I lost mine at fifteen. We’re so much more than roommates and friends. Neither of us has siblings, but I love her like I imagine sisters do, and there’s no future I can imagine that doesn’t involve us remaining close.
“Have you given any thought to the hockey hotties you’re going to be working with?” She fans herself. “I saw the roster. Damn.”
“I’m there for work, not to hook up.” But she’s right. I took a look at the roster, too, andwow.
“Yes, but you need the fullWildcatexperience.”
I shake my head. “Come on. Let’s get one last dance party in and make it good because it’s going to be six long weeks without seeing you shake it.”
She smiles and shakes her boobs at me. “Nope. We’re going to do virtual dance parties. I just decided. Once a week. Mandatory attendance.”
“I’m in.”
7
Johnny
Dakota’s eyes are closed,brows pinched together as I drive. We just crossed into Oklahoma, and we’re an hour from her dad’s house in Kansas.
It’s been a long ass day in this vehicle, and Dakota’s so hungover from last night that she hasn’t been much company.
“I need to stop and let Charli out. Do you feel like eating yet?”
She moans without opening her lids.
“A little grease to soak up the alcohol, and you’ll be good as new.”
