Page 45 of What Are The Odds?
He chuckled deeply. “You needn’t worry about me getting hurt, Hughesy. I’m a big boy.”
“So are the other players.” I brought my knees to my chest, resting my cheek on them as I looked at Levi. “Do you get in fights most games?”
“No. That was out of character.”
“Why did you?”
He was silent for a moment, thinking through his answer.
“Because I did something I’ve never done before.”
“Which was?”
This time he answered quickly, not bothering to put thought behind his confession.
“Let myself get distracted by what was happening in the stands.”
He lifted his hand, as though he was going to reach for me. After a moment’s hesitation, he raked his fingers through his hair instead.
“Are you staying over tonight?”
My brow lowered. “Do you want me to?”
He nodded. “Do you want to?”
Now the offer was there, I knew my answer. In a flash I slipped under the covers, groaning at the familiarity of his bloody amazing mattress topper.
“Maybe you can move to my dorm and I’ll have your room,” I said.
“Nah,” Levi answered. “But you can stay here as much as you want.”
I didn’t know what to make of that, so I didn’t say anything at all. When Levi got off the bed, I rolled to the spot he’d just been. It was incredibly warm.
“I need to find the guys and give them a cut off time,” he said.
“Party pooper.”
“Says the girl in bed before midnight,” he mocked. “Do you need anything from downstairs?”
I hadn’t brought a bag. Just my phone. I’d left it on the bench in the bathroom and I really didn’t want to get out of bed.
“Can you please tell Stella and Ava I’m staying here?”
He nodded.
“And, ugh, maybe Ryker?”
Levi beamed. “My pleasure.”
25. Don’t shoot the messenger
Levi
I closed the door behind me, still shaking my head at Grace’s offer to re-join the party while she went to sleep. She was insane if she thought being out here was more appealing than being in bed with her. I needed to find the guys stat so I could get back and slip under the covers beside her. Usually I cautioned myself against having the same girl in my bed back-to-back. But it was different with Grace. I’d never justsleptwith a girl before. I’d especially never cuddled one either. But after a night spent with Grace wrapped around my body, I was ready for round two. I edged my way through the crowd, ignoring hands as they tried to grab me and pull me into whatever conversation they were having. Will and Tripp were in the kitchen, chatting to some of the guys. They were a more responsible bet than Ryan.
“Cap,” Tripp greeted. “Have you seen, Hughesy? Ryker was looking for her. And I want to tell her the passionfruit daiquiri was a hit.”
A blonde was a few feet away from Tripp, staring at him like he was God’s gift to the earth. I guess I had her to blame for mentioning she liked passionfruit daiquiris. In hindsight though, puke aside, at least it had resulted with Grace in my bed.
