Page 152 of Most Valuable Players
“Who was that?”
“Rauthruss. They’re playing Xbox, asked if I wanted to join.”
“I haven’t made good on my end of the bargain yet.” I yawn again as I reach for him, which makes Heath chuckle.
He wraps me in his arms, and I tip my head up to look at him. “It’s okay. I’m getting used to you leaving me with blue balls.”
My jaw drops and he shakes his head. “I’m kidding, baby doll. Come on, I’ll distract them while you make a getaway.”
As I get to my feet, Mav’s deep voice shouts from the living room. I can’t make out his words, but it’s his presence that makes me pause. “Oh, crap. I totally forgot about helping Maverick with his literature class.”
“I’ll help him.”
“You’re gonna read aloud to him in that sexy British accent?” Swoon. Maybe I can stay for that.
“Don’t look at me like that Genevieve or I’ll never let you out of here.”
He goes first while I hide in his room, peeking out the crack of his mostly closed door. He calls for Rhett and then walks into the bathroom.
Rauthruss’s tone sounds confused as he asks why he’s going into the bathroom, but I don’t stick around to figure out what Heath says to keep him in there while I hurry out of the apartment.
* * *
When Avaand I get to the dining hall the next morning, Heath is waiting outside, leaning against the wall, his phone in hand. He looks up as I approach and a smile spreads across his face.
“Took you two long enough. I’m starving.”
I hadn’t asked him to wait for me, so I find it particularly endearing that he did. Especially when I know how important food is to him.
“I’m going to grab something quick and sit outside to call Trent,” Ava says before we split to grab breakfast.
“You don’t need to do that. We can all sit together.”
“Eh, it’s fine. I get all tongue-tied around your brother and his hockey friends anyway and end up feeling like a bumbling idiot.”
I fill a tray and find Heath at our usual table, already digging into his first plate of food.
He raises his brows and smiles around a big mouthful as I sit. His long legs find mine under the table and he spreads them to frame mine from either side.
We eat in silence. Heath somehow devours all his food before I do, and he leans back and eyes my tray as if he’s hoping I might leave him some.
“Stop eye fucking my food, Payne.”
“That strawberry jelly looks good.”
“Should have gotten some then,” I say and take a big bite of my jelly toast.
I’m teasing him, but now that he’s watching my mouth while I chew, I’m a little turned on. Leave it to Heath to turn cafeteria breakfast into foreplay. In his words, it’s all foreplay.
20
HEATH
“Has anyone seen my hat?” Rauthruss walks around the living room moving cushions and checking under the couch.
“Bathroom,” Mav and I say at the same time.
He narrows his gaze. “Why the hell is it in the bathroom?” He disappears and returns with the faded Bruins hat on his head.
