Page 131 of Becoming Selfish

“You’re evil.”

“Never said I wasn’t.”

Chapter 66

Logan

Midterms kicked my ass this week. I don’t think I’ve ever consumed so much caffeine in my life, and that’s saying a lot. I think I did okay on my tests. I kept my head down and studied all week. I missed Eli, that’s for sure, but I made a promise to myself that my education would be my priority right now. Eli was great, and he understood. In fact, he was my biggest cheerleader all week. He made it a point not to come around if he knew I was studying, which was hard for both of us but also really sweet of him.

However, he did come over just to sleep next to me most nights. When I was ready for bed, he would come by late, then walk me to my first class each morning. One night, I needed to pull an all-nighter, and Eli stayed awake with me most of the night, quizzing me with the flashcards I had made.

He’s the best and made sure to prove that his attitude last weekend was a one-off.

Now that midterms are behind me, I’m looking forward to letting loose this weekend. The fact that I’m excited about having a few drinks tonight should tell you exactly how stressed out this week made me.

I slept in today, and Eli left for pregame morning skate before I was awake, but he left a note for me that he was excited I’d be coming to watch his game. I was hoping that his parents would be back in town, but his dad got pulled away for work last minute, and Mary doesn’t like to leave Jack behind.

My lazy ass is still lying in bed on this late Saturday morning, trying to get as much rest as I can before the Halloween party tonight. As I’m mindlessly scrolling my phone, I hear a knock at the door, and it opens before I can respond.

“You’re still in bed?” Eli laughs as his eyes find me between my sheets. “Hi, baby.” He walks into my room, his hands hidden behind his back.

I would respond if I could, but I can’t. Eli looks so fucking good right now that he’s left me speechless. He’s wearing a dark hunter green, almost black suit. It’s perfectly fitted for his tall frame, with a crisp white shirt underneath. He has a skinny black tie around his neck, and his shoes and belt match perfectly. His shaggy brown hair is pushed away from his face, thanks to a little hair product.

This is the first time I’ve seen Eli in a tie before because, quite honestly, he doesn’t need one. He’s pretty effortlessly polished as is. However, he looks incredibly sexy with that tie around his neck.

How this beautiful man is mine is beyond me.

“Earth to Logan,” Eli says with amusement, pulling me out of my daze.

“Hi,” I say in response when my brain and mouth finally decide to connect.

I cross my legs at the ankles, under the sheets, trying to calm the effects this man has on my body.

“What are you doing here?” I sit up, leaning my back against my headboard. “Shouldn’t you be at the rink?”

“I’m on my way, but I wanted to stop by first. We got our new jerseys this morning.” He makes his way over to my bed, his hands still concealed behind him. “You don’t have to wear it.” He pulls the maroon fabric from behind his back as he takes a seat. “But I’ve never had someone I could give my away jersey to. It’s kind of a girlfriend thing that some of the guys have done over the years.” Eli shyly holds the jersey in his lap.

Okay, this is cute. Eli looks so nervous right now, but I have no idea why. Of course, I’m going to wear it. I didn’t even know this was a thing, but I love that it is. I felt guilty that I still didn’t have any team gear to support Eli, so I went to the school store this week and bought a mustard yellow beanie with a maroon ‘M’ on the front and a matching pom-pom ball on top. But this, this is so much better.

“You don’t have to wear it,” Eli repeats when I don’t respond.

“Of course, I’m going to wear it,” I tell him with excitement as Eli’s nervous expression instantly washes away. “I love this.”

Taking the jersey from his lap, I hold it up. It’s absolutely massive, unsurprisingly so, but I don’t care. Even if this thing is practically a dress on me, I’m going to wear it with pride.

My hand grazes over his stitched name at the top of the back side, then over his captain’s patch on the left shoulder. This jersey is such nice quality. Even though most of the arena will be filled with number thirteen jerseys, it’s pretty evident that this one is the real deal.

“Thanks, baby.”

“Thank you,” he says. “I might actually have a decent game knowing you’re watching me and wearing my clothes,” he adds with a sly little grin.

He leans across the space between us, pressing his full lips to mine.

“You’ll come see me in the player’s tunnel after?”

“Sure, if you want me to be there.”

“Logan, when are you going to figure out that I always want you to be there?” he asks with a sweet little heartfelt smile on his lips. “Need. I think ‘need’ is a better word. I need you. Always.”

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