Page 68 of Too Safe

Shit on a crumbly cracker.

Decker Crusade’s ability to morph a decent day into the stuff of nightmares takes true talent. If this whole quarterback thing doesn’t work out, he could very well have a future in dashing dreams and ruining lives.

“What’s going on?”

When I open my eyes, Kylian’s entered the kitchen, his focus shifting from Decker to Locke to me, then repeating, as if he’s an oscillating fan.

“Just getting things squared away for this weekend,” Decker offers coolly.

“I take it that’s the reason I passed a raging bull on the stairs just now?”

I can’t help but roll my eyes. Kendrick made his point—rudely, I might add. His feelings about me are abundantly clear. I doubt even Decker would push him on this. There’s no need for him to storm out of the room, huffing and puffing.

“Josephine will be rooming with me on Friday night. Can you make sure we’ve got enough key cards at check-in, Kyl?”

Pressure builds behind my eyes, so I focus on the gleaming quartz countertop, refusing to blink in case tears try to spill over.

I’ve always been an angry crier. People often view it as a weakness. I refuse to let Decker Crusade see me that way.

By the time I trust myself to glance up, Decker is striding out of the room. Like he didn’t just ruin my whole fucking day and set me up for what’s bound to be an exceptionally awkward weekend.

“Thanks for your help,” I bite out in Locke’s direction, then take off toward the stairs.

“Jo… wait!”

Kylian catches up to me just as my foot hits the second step. His fingers encircle my wrist and squeeze just hard enough to stop me in my tracks.

“What happened?” he implores.

“Decker happened.” I pull my arm out of his grasp.

That doesn’t deter him. He launches himself up the stairs in front of me, his long legs taking them two at a time until he’s a few steps above me, hovering.

“You can ride with me to the hotel on Friday afternoon. And we’ll be together at the game. Decker’s not completely unreasonable. Maybe if we try talking to him—”

I scoff at the very notion of Decker being anything close to reasonable where I’m concerned.

“Save your breath, Kylian. I’m on my own here. Just like I’ve been from day one.”

Chapter 26

Josephine

Wearriveatthehotel several hours after the team. When Kylian said we didn’t have to leave until evening, I thought that was a great idea. But now that I’m faced with settling in after Decker and the guys have been here for hours, I’m doubting that line of thinking.

I raise my keycard up to the door, then pause. Should I knock? Can I assume Kylian texted him when we arrived?

Whatever.

The smell of generic cleaner hits me when I step inside the room, followed by a scent that’s warm, sensual, and heady.Decker. He may be an infuriating, broody asshole, but damn, he smells divine.

I creep through the doorway and scan the space. The room is nothing special—dimly lit and an average size. Just a standard room in a chain hotel.

I catalog the TV mounted on the beige wall and the small table and café chairs set off in the corner. An abstract industrial print is the only décor. That, and the two silver and white sconces that frame the headboard of the bed.

Theone singleking-size bed.

Panic radiates through every limb as I survey the singular sleeping surface.

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