Page 9 of Scoring the Player
Felix continues to talk with the emergency responder, providing details like what floor we were on and if the doors opened at all. I happily let him do the talking.
We’re assured help is on the way and they’ll be here in the next thirty minutes.
Thirty minutes?! I’m not sure I can make it thirty more seconds.
“Well, shit,” Felix says finally. He sets his backpack on the floor and then slides to sit beside it.
The full weight of the situation hits me, and I drop down to the floor across from him. We’re as far apart as we can get in the small space, but it’s still way too close.
“We’re stuck in an elevator.” I bring my knees up and rest my hands on top of them, tapping my thumbs in an erratic rhythm. I’m not sure if it’s adrenaline or nerves, but my arms and legs feel tingly. “Me and you. Me and Felix Walters.”
“That’s me,” he says in a playful tone.
“People will probably say I planned this. Because you know, I’m such a psycho stalker and all.”
“Well, you haven’t tried to climb me like a tree yet, so…” He cocks his head to the side. I know he’s teasing, but I still want to die as he repeats my words from the video.
I cover my face with my hands.
“Ah shit, I’m sorry. That was a bad joke.” His voice is closer, and I can feel him next to me, even though I don’t look up.
My throat is thick with emotion. Tears prick my eyes and then I start to laugh. It’s quiet at first, but I’ve officially reached hysteria levels of stress, and soon, it’s one of those awful laughs where you alternate between no noise coming out and loud, awful outbursts that you can’t control.
Between gulping for air, I glance up and look directly at Felix. He’s even closer, still facing me, now only a foot away. I can see that it’s been a day or two since he’s shaved. Dark stubble dots his jaw.
I look away from him again. It’s the only way I can get out the apology I owe him. “I’m sorry I said all those things. I got carried away. I’d just run into you and, for the millionth time, couldn’t say anything because that’s what happens when I try to speak to guys. I totally freeze up. Even worse around you because, well, you’re hot.” The words tumble out and I wave a hand in front of him. “Really, really hot. Not that you need me to tell you that. Girls line up to date you or hook up, or just stare at you. I saw a girl swipe one of those posters of you hanging up around campus. The one where you’re staring out all intensely from your helmet with dirt and black paint on your face. She probably has it hung up over her bed. That’s where I’d put it.” Falling asleep lying under Felix Walters? Yeah, that might be worth a potential theft charge.
“I hope I didn’t make things too weird for you or like objectify you. Who am I kidding? Of course, I objectified you. I stand by the stupid-hot comment, but you also seem like a pretty decent guy.” I finally take a breath. “The point is I know that you don’t see me like that and it’s fine. So, if you came here to let me down easy or whatever, you don’t need to worry.”
I meet his steel-colored eyes and find it even harder to form words. Also, he doesn’t look worried. He looks amused. Probably because I’m word vomiting all over him, and I can’t seem to stop.
“It’s actually pretty funny. Me and you.” I point between us. “You’re the hottest guy on campus and I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
Both of his brows lift. Oops. Didn’t mean to share that little tidbit. Not like he’s ever going to want to date me anyway.
“I’m sorry. I’m going to stop talking now.”
And continue to pray for the ground to swallow me up.
4
FELIX
“You thinkI came here because I’m pissed about what you said on the video?” I ask, staring at her small form hunched over, hugging her legs.
“Umm…yes.” After her outburst, Dahlia looks like she’s going to retreat back into the quiet girl who hardly speaks to me. And I want to hear more. So much more.
“No. I’m not pissed. Not at you, anyway.”
She continues to look at me, confusion marring her face.
“I’m pissed at the person who took and posted that video. It was a shitty thing to do.”
“Yeah, they’re on my shitlist for sure.” Her posture loosens and her hands drop to her lap. “You’re really not mad about the things I said about you? It was…”
“Flattering?”
“Not the word I had in mind. Did you actually watch the video? All of it? The part where I said I wanted to lick every inch of your torso?” Her face is bright red as she finishes the sentence.
