Page 125 of The Game Changer

I’m owned.

And fuck if it’s not the best feeling in the world.

CHAPTER 49

CAROLINE

My eyes are just drifting shut when the door pops open and Leilani appears. She dumps her bag on her bed and turns to spot me snuggled up beside Casey. He fell asleep about twenty minutes ago, and I’m kind of hoping he stays the whole night. My head resting on his shoulder, his strong arm cradling me against him—it’s my happy place.

“Hey,” I whisper, waving at her.

She frowns down at us. “I thought you weren’t supposed to have sex for another week or so.”

I perch up on my elbow, a little put out by her grumpy attitude. What’s her problem now? Why is she still upset with me?

“We didn’t have sex. We just fell asleep together.” I try to keep my voice low so I don’t disturb Casey. He admitted that he hasn’t been sleeping well this week. School pressure is getting to him, plus he’s been really worried about me. Which is so freaking sweet!

I want to tell Lani all that, make her see that I may have screwed up when it came to the Ben situation, but I’ve made the right choice.

She crosses her arms, looking small and agitated as she mutters, “Oh. I figured he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off you. Sex seems to be the thing you guys are best at.”

I frown at her, nearly snapping, “What the hell is your problem?”

But I don’t want to get into an argument and risk waking up my boyfriend.

Instead, I take a breath and try to think, Calm. Just be calm. Go for happy.

“He told me he loves me.” I’m looking at Casey’s face when I tell her, because I don’t want to see her upper lip curl with disgust or something. But when I risk a glance, she’s actually smiling. She has this slightly lost look on her face, and her smile is touched with sadness.

“What? You still don’t believe him? Do you think he just said it to make me feel better? Because if you’d been here… if you’d seen his face… you’d know he meant it. He really meant it, Lani.”

She nods, her smile growing wider, but I can see how much effort it’s taking on her part.

“Why don’t you like him? Why don’t you want me to be with the guy I love?”

“I do.” She holds up her hands like two white flags. “I’m happy for you. Really, I am.”

“You don’t look it.” I don’t bother hiding my disappointment. I so want her support on this. Casey’s going to be around a lot more now, and it’ll suck if she’s being icy every time he walks into the room.

“I am happy for you, Cinny. I promise.”

“Then what’s the matter?” I study her face, desperate for any clue she can give me.

But her expression shuts down, her face going blank as she looks at the floor and mutters, “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“You don’t sound fine.”

“I am.” She gives me a pointed look, like she’s daring me to question her.

“Lani.” I soften my voice. “I’m your best friend. You can tell me anything.”

She shakes her head, closing her eyes and looking sick. “I’m okay. I… I don’t want to talk. I just…” She clears her throat, pulling her shoulders back and lifting her chin. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine,” I softly argue. “And I want to help.”

Her eyes are glistening when she finally lets me catch her eye. “You can’t help me with this.”

“But—”

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