Page 171 of Naughty & Nice

“Yeah,” I say, a smile twitching at the corners of my mouth. “Next year.”

“Come on,” Noelle says, suddenly jumping up and off the bed. “You two got me all dirty. I suggest you clean me up.” Before we get a chance to comment, she’s gone, racing toward the bathroom.

“Well, what the fuck are we waiting for?” Hendrix asks, hopping up almost as quickly to give chase.

Throwing my legs off the edge of the bed, I stop and take a breath as Noelle’s laughter fills the air.

This is not where I expected to begin the new year. The past two weeks have been… a surprise, but in the best possible way.

I’ve had time to stop and think. I’ve been able to have heart-to-heart with people who don’t even consider judging. I’ve been vulnerable and open, and… I’ve fallen in love.

I mean, maybe I always have been; I’ve just been too busy teasing Hendrix about his crush on his best friend to notice that I wanted her too.

Whatever it was, it’s over, because I want her in a way I’ve never wanted anyone.

She’s given me so much more than I could ever attempt to explain, but most importantly, acceptance.

She accepts me for who I am, and in turn, she’s teaching me to do the same.

I don’t need to put on an act and behave in a certain way. I can be exactly who I am and still be a good person and a fantastic football player—maybe even a half-decent boyfriend, too.

Shit. I’m a boyfriend.

A laugh bubbles out of me.

I might be a boyfriend, but Noelle has two.

I shake my head. She is one brave woman.

A squeal of delight rips through the air, and I’m on my feet in a flash. I don’t want to miss anything.

The bathroom is already full of steam when I get there, but it doesn’t stop me from seeing her. I’m not sure anything ever will.

“I’m running to the store for beer,” Hendrix says as I sit back in the couch, ESPN playing on the TV before me.

“It’s a full day of football, and you don’t have beer?” I gasp in horror.

“We only watch when you’re playing. You know that.”

“And it warms my heart to know that you are.”

Hendrix rolls his eyes.

“Be good while I’m gone.”

“Pfft, when am I ever good? You know I’m the naughty one. That’s why Noelle likes me more.”

“As if. She’s always been more of a fan of the nice guy.”

“Whatever. It took you eighteen years to fuck her.”

He raises a brow. “Because you’ve been doing it for years?”

My mouth opens to bark back a response, but I don’t have one.

“Well, we both figured it out in the end, I guess.”

“We did,” I agree. “Is everything okay?” I ask when he continues to linger.

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