Page 88 of Too Safe

He’s looking me in the eye, but his expression is blank. I can’t get a read on him for the life of me. It’s nothing personal. This is just how he gets. He needs rest. Quiet. Solitude. The exact opposite of what happens every week after a home game.

“Why does Decker insist on hosting a party every damn weekend when you’re clearly exhausted after the games?” I blurt out.

His brows furrow as he considers my question. A few beats pass, then his eyes narrow like he’s trying to work something out.

Great. Now I’m the asshole for forcing a conversation that’s obviously requiring a concerted amount of effort on his part.

“Forget it,” I huff, blowing out a long breath.

Kylian catches my hand in his, tracing my knuckles with the pad of his thumb. “You worried about me, Jo?”

I am. And I’m annoyed that Decker and Kendrick need to surround themselves with superfans and cheerleaders to boost their egos after a game at the expense of their friend.

Without waiting for a response, he tugs me a little closer. “I live in a literal mansion. I have a private room that my best friend paid to have soundproofed. He went as far as to install a floating floor in the Nest. I’m an integral part of a championship team. I already have job offers from four different professional clubs. Believe me when I say that I’m good. I have everything I need right here.” He squeezes my hand in a way that makes me wonder if he considers me as one of those things. “Including my brothers,” he adds.

Yep. I’m definitely an asshole. I hadn’t considered that Decker or any of the guys went to such great lengths to accommodate Kylian. Silly, really, because it’s on-brand for the broody asshole to go out of his way to take care of his friends.

“Are you coming up tonight?” Kylian asks.

Part of me wants to. Really, really wants to. But his eyes are weary and bloodshot. And I know him well enough now to know he won’t truly let himself rest if I’m in his space.

Shaking my head, I give him a soft smile. “Not tonight. You’re exhausted. Go rest. I’ll see you at breakfast?”

He nods and leans in to kiss me quickly, murmuring “good night,” against my lips. Then he heads inside and takes off like a shot toward the stairs.

I don’t bother trying to keep up. He’s desperate to wind down, and I want him to have that tonight.

Slowly, I close the sliding glass door, then take in the scene in the living room, scanning each face, many of which I recognize. Football players. Superfans. Even Dr. Hinkley’s TA on the dance floor.Yikes.

I’m halfway to the kitchen before I admit to myself that I’m looking for Decker.

Part of me wants to see if Kendrick already got to him. Does Decker know what happened? Does he share Kendrick’s outrage over my interference?

More importantly, though, I need to make sure he’s really okay.

I stick my head out the door and peek around the upper deck where we had dinner last night. This is where I found him holding court at the last party.

A quick scan confirms Decker’s not out here. But his groupies are.

Three girls—a blonde, a redhead, and a brunette—perch on the sides of one of the cushioned love seats, waiting for their king to take his throne. I snort at the absurdity of it and turn on my heel, ready to retreat to the kitchen, but freeze at the shrill voice cutting through the humid air.

“Excuse me. Miss? Miss?”

I pop back outside and lock eyes with a cheerleader sitting snugly in Kendrick’s lap.

Ugh. I didn’t even notice him out here a moment ago.

“Oh good. Hi,” she singsongs, examining me from head to toe and squirming on the big guy’s thigh. “Can you bring me another vodka seltzer? Peach, if you’ve got it.” She holds up the empty can in her hand and shakes it.

Kendrick chuckles, the rumble in his chest deep and cruel, as he smooths a hand over her thigh.

I wait a beat, then another. Until it’s obvious he’s not going to correct his little girlfriend.

“I’m not a server,” I snap, cocking one hip and scowling.

“Oh. Huh. I thought I saw you here before…”

I open my mouth to tell her exactly why she’s seen me around the mansion before, but before I can, Kendrick jumps to his feet, cutting me off. Hmm. He must not want his superfan to know that he and I are actually roomies.

---