Page 46 of Sneaking Around with the Player
“Okay, but this isn’t goodbye. I’m going to see you again before you go back. We’ll figure it out.” She scrambles off the bed, adjusting her clothes and smoothing a hand over her hair. She hits me with a sad smile and holds out her hand to me. “Don’t you dare leave Arizona without seeing me first, Beau Ricci.”
“I promise,” I say, getting to my feet and following her down the stairs and outside. We don’t speak as I drive her back to her vehicle. When I pull up beside it, she lunges for me over the console, kissing me like that isn’t what we did all afternoon. Not that I’m complaining, but she’s seriously going to be late, and her family already doesn’t like me.
I hold back a groan as she opens her door to get out. “I could stay here for New Year’s Eve.”
“I thought you were celebrating Felix’s birthday that night too.”
“We are, but we’re barely speaking to each other.” She lifts one shoulder and lets it fall.
“You have to go. You know you do. He’s your brother.”
“And you’re my sexy boyfriend who is leaving in two days.”
“Baby, no.”
“Do you not want to spend New Year’s Eve with me?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then what’s the big deal? Felix’s actual birthday isn’t until the third. Plus, I’ll see him all semester, but who knows when I’ll see you again.”
“He already hates me. I don’t want to give him another reason.”
“So, you’re going to miss spending time with me to try to make up for everything else? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s his birthday, Stell.”
She’s frustrated. Hell, I am too, but I know I can’t let her skip that party. I slide a hand around the back of her neck and press my lips to hers once more. “I promise I will see you again before I leave town, okay?”
She nods her head ever so slightly.
“You better go. I’ll call you later.”
Without a word, she gets out and into her Jeep. I watch her drive off and then finally let out a long breath, letting the forced smile fall from my face. Fuck. This sucks.
Stella
“Are you okay?” Holly asks as we wait in line for the bathroom during intermission.
I check my phone to see if I have any texts from Beau. I don’t, and shove my phone back into my clutch with a little more force than necessary. “Yeah.”
“Liar. What’s going on?”
“Tomorrow we go back to Valley and then the next day Beau leaves for Colorado. Christmas vacation is over.”
“You made it work before this, you two will be fine.”
“Yeah, but that was before . . . everything.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile.
“I think I love him, Holly.”
“Oh, Stell.” She wraps one arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “That’s good news. I’m so happy for you.”
“Then why do I feel so awful?” The back of my eyes sting with tears I refuse to shed in public.
“Did something happen today? You seemed fine earlier.”
