Page 20 of Sidelined Love

“Oh, okay,” Jade replies. “It was cool of you to join us. I'll talk to you later?”

“For sure,” Wilder says. “Have a good rest of your day!”

He gives us a little wave before turning and walking across the quad.

I wait until he's out of earshot before turning to Jade. “Was it just me, or was Wilder acting kind of weird?” To be honest, I don't really know if this is weird for him because I don't hang out with him all that much, and I want to get Jade's feedback on the situation.

Jade frowns. “What do you mean?”

“I thought it was odd that he pulled out his phone to text someone as soon as you told him about my working at Brewed Beginnings and being president of the chess club.”

Out of nowhere, my phone buzzes in my pocket, shifting my attention completely. I pull it out and glance at the screen and find a text from my dad.

Dad: Sweetheart, do you want to go out to lunch? I was thinking Riverstone Grill.

Me: Sure, let me know what day and time you’re thinking.

Jade’s question cuts through my thought process. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it's my dad. He wants to do lunch,” I say after putting my phone back in my pocket.

Jade glances at Wilder for a moment as he walks away before turning back to me. “I don't know, but I can try to get it out of him if you want me to.”

I think about her proposal for a second before I shake my head. “Nah, I'll let it go.”

Who am I kidding? That is a lie. I'm still going to be wondering exactly what Wilder might have told Levi or the rest of the team, especially if it's about me. Although I’m curious about what is going on, there is absolutely no way I’m letting Levi Jamison into my life.

8

LEVI

Amonstrous yawn escapes my lips, one I'm pretty sure is long enough to set a world record. The urge to turn over and go back to sleep is strong. I rub the sleep away from my eyes as I roll out of bed.

Am I tired? No, but my energy only gets kickstarted after I've thrown some water on my face.

Living alone has its perks. Not being woken up by a roommate for one. Another perk? Being able to leave your apartment in any state you desire. While I usually do my best to maintain some sort of order in here, I've been slacking off this week. For now, the messiness has to wait until after I've met my basic needs for the day.

I stretch as I step over my shit strewn on the floor in order to get to the bathroom. I flick on the light and squint against the brightness. My dark brown hair is sticking up at odd angles and another yawn falls out of my mouth.

With a heavy sigh, I turn on the showerhead and wait for the water to warm up. When it reaches the temperature I like, I take off the only thing I wore to sleep last night, my boxers, and tossthem in the direction of my laundry basket. I make a mental note to do laundry today before I run out of clean underwear.

As I step under the spray, I let the warm water start working its magic, washing away the grogginess from sleep. I rest my arm against the coolness of the tile and close my eyes. I slow my breathing down as I try to relax under the water droplets, and the longer I stand here, the more I start to feel human.

When I open them again, I reach for my soap and begin to wash myself, each movement boosting my alertness. Within seconds, I have enough energy to power the sun.

As I replay Hailey's words, it forces an image of her into my mind, but let's be honest, she's not too far from my thoughts since the moment I first saw her.

Did I think she was beautiful? That is an understatement. I knew she was gorgeous the moment I laid eyes on her even though I was half-asleep. But the way she has no issue with trading fire with fire draws me into her as well. She challenges me under the guise of not being able to stand me, but I've seen hints of a smile playing on her lips when she thinks I don't see it.

I run my hand through my hair just before it makes its way down to my morning wood. I give myself a few light strokes, feeling the slickness from the soap and water coating my fingers. It feels nice but I know it won't be enough.

When I can't resist any longer, I give in to pleasure. Letting out a soft moan, I grip myself a little tighter. I move up and down as I think about her face and how I want to make those hazel eyes of hers roll into the back of her head.

I close my eyes as my hips start to rock forward, moving in sync with the motion of my hand. All I can picture is her naked in this shower with water cascading down her body as I take her against the wall after my mouth has its fill of her pussy.

The image alone has me ready to explode, but I force myself to slow down before it's all over. This fantasy can't end too soon,because right now, it's all I have. I think about her nails digging into my back as she moans out my name…

“Fuck,” I growl, unable to stop myself any longer. My cock shoots out cum all over the shower tiles, and I'm left breathless. I lean against the wall, panting heavily while letting the water wash away the evidence of my masturbation session. I can't remember the last time I've done that.

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