Page 39 of Sneaking Around with the Player
I hand her the small, badly wrapped present. “It isn’t a Christmas tree.”
“That Teddy, he did good.” She runs a finger over the paper. “Should I open it now?”
“Yeah. If you want.”
“I want.” She tears into it with so much eagerness I wish it were something a lot more romantic.
She pulls out the black Colorado football beanie, still smiling, and puts it on.
“Just something silly. I have an identical one back at school.”
“I love it.” She touches the soft material on her head. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I clear my throat, feeling a little embarrassed. Now that I’ve given it to her, it seems dumb. It isn’t like she’s ever going to wear it. Her brother might burn the damn thing.
“I love it, really,” she says. “And I got something for you too.”
“All I want for Christmas is you.”
She laughs and cuts me acould you be more ridiculousglance.
“I know, I know. Cheesy but accurate, baby.”
Stella pulls an envelope out of her purse and hands it to me. On the front is my name written in red and green alternating letters. I turn it over and rip the seal, then pull out two tickets.
“I know it’s a long shot that you’ll have time off, but conference diving championships are in February. If you can make it work, it’d be so fun to see you there. I can probably get you a Valley U beanie like this one.” She points to the hat on her head.
My lips curl at the corners and I lean forward, brushing my lips against hers. “If at all possible, I’ll be there.”
I lean back and tap the tickets on the wheel and then put them back in the envelope. “Does your family go to your meets?”
“Some of them, not all. They’ll all be there for the championships, though.”
I’m still holding the envelope, a mixture of emotions swirling in my gut, when I ask, “Does your brother know you invited me?”
“No.”
“Baby . . .”
“It will be fine,” she insists, shifting closer to me. Her fingers thread through my hair and she brings her lips to mine.
I kiss her back, deepening it and giving her everything I have and then some. I like her. I like her a whole lot.
I don’t have the same certainty about the future and navigating things with Felix and her family, but we’re not goingto solve anything tonight, so we might as well enjoy our time together.
Stella
I’m rushing out of my bedroom, shoving my phone in my purse with one hand and using the other to pull the door closed behind me. I’m also smiling like a fool because Beau is picking me up.
When I look up, Felix is standing at the other end of the hall.
“Hey,” I say, trying to appear casual and like I’m not about to head out with his nemesis. I have on a dress and more makeup than normal, so I doubt I’m fooling him.
“Hi.” His mouth opens and closes like he wants to say more, but he clamps it shut and his jaw flexes.
We’ve barely spoken all break. It isn’t that I’m mad at him exactly, though it definitely still rankles how everything went down the night Beau showed up at the resort. But Felix is my brother. I love him, even when I’m angry with him. I think it’s more disappointment. We’re at an impasse. I don’t want to stop seeing Beau, but I want things to be good between me and Felix, too.
“I thought you were hanging with Teddy tonight?”
