Page 72 of Scoring the Player
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Ten minutes later, lips tender from all the kissing we’ve done for the past twelve hours, Felix and I emerge from his bedroom. I’m all out of sorts with reality. I can’t believe I spent the night with Felix. We crossed off so many firsts for me, and it still somehow doesn’t feel like enough.
I duck into the bathroom after him and finally swipe some toothpaste over my teeth, gargle some mouthwash, and clean the black smudges from underneath my eyes. When I step into the living room, Felix, his roommates and sisters are all sitting around waiting on me.
Felix jumps up. “Are we ready?”
I hide behind him, running my fingers through my hair. I’m sure I look every bit the part of a girl who spent all night and morning making out.
“I’m starving.” Stella gets to her feet, followed by the rest of the group.
“Hideout?” Lucas asks, spinning his keys around one finger.
Everyone agrees and we head out the front door.
“Dahlia and I are going to take my car. We’ll meet you there,” Felix says, taking my hand and guiding me toward his orange Corvette parked at the curb.
“Don’t get lost,” Stella warns with a knowing look.
Felix opens the passenger door for me.
I pause before climbing in. “I’m coming?”
“You thought I was gonna kick you to the curb this morning?” He arches a disbelieving brow.
“Umm…” Kind of, yeah. Or at least drop me off at my house and go about whatever he had planned for the day.
“Well, fuck. Even I’m not that big of an asshole.” He chuckles. “Besides, I want to stare at your puffy lips a little longer. I love knowing they’re all swollen and red from me.”
Proving his point, he steps closer, backing me into the side of the car and kissing me stupid until the others honk and yell out their windows for us to hurry up.
“Come to breakfast with me and then after, I’ll drive you home. I’d invite you back here, but I have to go to the fieldhouse later for film review.”
“Yeah, of course. I have stuff to do today, too.” Like catch up with Jane. She’s sent a dozen texts already this morning.
He swipes his lips over mine once more and then steps back.
At The Hideout, I slide into a booth next to Felix. Lucas is on the other side of him, with Holly, Teddy, and Stella across from us.
Someone orders a pitcher of mimosas, but Felix and I stick to water.
Felix raises his glass. “Happy birthday, Teddy.”
“It’s your birthday?” I ask the big guy across from me.
A shy smile tugs at one side of his mouth, and he nods.
“Oh my gosh.” I elbow Felix. “I had no idea. Happy birthday.”
“You didn’t tell her why we were having breakfast?” Stella asks.
“I thought I mentioned it.” He grins as he takes a drink.
“Uh-huh.” Lucas snorts. “Because it sounded like you two were doing a whole lot oftalkingin there this morning.”
My face flushes. Felix drops an open palm to my thigh.
We order lots of food and the conversation is light and fun. The guys talk about last night’s game, Holly forces us all to sing Happy Birthday to a red-faced Teddy, and I quietly take it all in. I’m enjoying seeing this side of Felix. He’s relaxed and happy, and his touches come easier now, like he’s no longer putting up a wall between us. I’m still in his sweatshirt. The only way I’m giving it back is if he physically removes it from me.
