Page 2 of Crossed Lines

“I’m serious.” I rifle through my bag, making sure I’ve got everything for training. “We’ve got to leave in a few minutes, and you’re not dressed.”

Spencer snorts. “Not my fault you’re a prude. What are you, some kind of virgin?”

Dealing with Spencer is easy. All I have to do is not react. Licking my lips, I stuff my new cleats into the bag and zip it up, trying not to shake. But Spencer notices. He always does.

“You’re joking.”

“We’re gonna be late.” Avoiding his heavy gaze, I make for the front door. But before I can get anywhere, Spencer grabs my elbow, fingers digging into the bare skin. My chest tightens, but I don’t move away.

“Wait a minute, you can’t skirt your little butt out of this one.”

“Just watch me. And stop talking about my butt.”

“I’ll talk about your butt if I want to.”

He catches my eye, the corner of his lips twitching, and I can’t help the laughter that bubbles through me. His deep chuckle is smooth, like tempered chocolate spread on freshly baked cake. Perfect, like everything else about him.

“Seriously, Luke,” Spencer says when he’s sobered up. “What about that girl in freshman year? I thought you were serious about her.”

It takes me a minute to remember who he’s talking about. “Olivia? She broke up with me a week later, man.” I scuff the smooth wooden floorboards with the toe of my sneakers. “We can’t all be gods in bed.”

I’m pretty sure if you looked up ‘player’ in the dictionary, Spencer’s chiseled face would stare back out at you. He musthave gone through half the student body in the time I’ve known him, both girls and guys alike.

Not that I care. He can be with whoever he wants to, it’s none of my business. I just hate that I get less time with my best friend when he’s with them. But I’ve gotten used to it.

Spencer flicks my forehead, focusing my attention on him. Like it could be anywhere else. “I can teach you a few tricks for the ladies.”

“Like how to scare them away? Thanks, but I’m not interested.”

“Wanna bet?”

A shiver trickles down my spine.

I pause, chewing on my lower lip. “What?”

“I bet I can show you how to kiss a girl.” He waggles his eyebrows. “The right way, sweetheart.”

My stomach clenches at the stupid nickname. But admitting it bothers me would feel like defeat. It’s dumb, but it’s the truth. Same with backing down from a bet. This little game between us started off as harmless pranks in freshman year, but we’ve never done anything like this, despite what some of our teammates think.

“Very funny, but there’s no way I’m locking lips with you.” Guys don’t kiss their best friends, even if said best friends have freshly-bitten, pouty lips that would feel good—what the hell?

“Scared?”

“No,” I say, lying through my teeth.

Spencer looks at me for a moment, his expression eerily calm. He quirks an eyebrow, clearly unfazed by his insane suggestion. I’m the one left sputtering and trying to get my brain to work. I rub my heated cheek, willing my body to calm down. My chest feels tight, like my heart is beating so hard it’ll burst right out of my ribcage.

I don’t know how long we stay like that, eyes locked in some heated battle I know I’m losing. After a moment Spencer steps back, the serious expression on his face breaking like the sun behind clouds. He laughs and lets go of my elbow, shaking his head.

“I’m just kidding, dude.” He punches my shoulder lightly. “Should’ve seen your face.”

“Oh. Right.”

Then he’s striding out of the room on those long legs, off to get ready for training. I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath. For some reason, my body feels strung-up like a bow, and Spencer’s the one who tightened the bolts.

Before I can say anything else and get myself in more trouble, I throw my gym bag over my shoulder and hurry to the door, unlocking it with my athlete swipe card.

Every member of the soccer team got one when we checked into the high-end training facility. It gives us free access to the pitch, the extravagant gym, and the fully stocked recovery room, not to mention a dozen other perks they offer in this place.

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