Page 15 of The Trouble with Players

I pointed to my road on the right. “It’s that one. But it’s a dead end, so don’t bother turning. I can hop out here.”

“You sure?” he asked as he pulled to a stop.

“Yeah. Thanks for an unexpectedly fun night.”

He smirked. “I knew you liked me.”

I pushed open the door and stepped out. I leaned back in. “See ya around, Sam.”

“We’ve got another home game tomorrow night. I’ll look for you.”

I laughed as I shut the door and hurried down my road. I glanced up at my dark house and slipped inside the front door. I tiptoed up the stairs and saw that my door was closed. I held my breath and turned the knob, hoping Crew hadn’t beaten me home. Inside, Crew lay in bed, and he appeared to be asleep.

I contemplated my next move. I didn’t need to keep up this ridiculous game, but he’d left early to no doubt get home before me. He wanted to know what I’d do. Would I back down now that I had to make the decision? Or, would I rise to the challenge?

No-brainer.

I shed my shoes and shorts so I was in my panties and T-shirt. I padded to the side of the bed that had the most room and placed my phone on the nightstand. I lifted the sheet and climbed underneath carefully, rolling onto my side away from him and tucking my hands beneath my pillow.

I’d give Crew one thing. His annoying presence was keeping my mind off my father.

I thought back to the bonfire. It hadn’t been as bad as I thought it would be. I had fun hanging with Sam, Gina, and Cody. And, I got to know Cody more and could see what Gina saw in him. He was a country boy who loved his mama and sisters. He had us laughing all night with stories about mishaps on their farm. Sam too seemed to be a good guy. He was in tears when Cody told his goat story, and it just made me like him more. Maybe I would go check out one of their games.

“You sounded jealous,” Crew murmured beside me.

I stilled.

“Were you trying to scare other girls away from me?”

“Just thought she should know who she’s getting involved with,” I replied.

“And who’s that?” he challenged.

“A guy who moves from girl to girl,” I said.

“Then why imply you were one of those girls?”

“I implied nothing. You sleep in my room that inevitably smells like me. It’s not my fault if that’s not how she took it.”

A long stretch of silence passed.

The crashing of the ocean waves beyond my French doors brought me such comfort. It was my own personal lullaby. And nothing—not my father or jerky baseball players—could ruin that for me.

“Who hurt you?” Crew asked, breaking the quiet in the room.

“What?”

“Your walls are so damn tall and thick. Someone had to have hurt you,” he said.

“Why don’t you worry about you, and I’ll worry about me,” I snapped.

He shifted, and though I couldn’t see him, I could tell he turned onto his side to face me. “I’m not the asshole you think I am.”

“Watch yourself. If any part of your body touches mine—”

“What’s wrong? Scared you’ll like it?”

I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response.

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