Page 38 of Ruck Me

Chapter11

EOIN

“Dad and Staciaare gone for the weekend so the three of us are gonna to go live it up in style,” Donal said as he, Tadhg, Fergus, and I stepped off the bus in Dublin. “You coming?”

“When will you be home?” I asked, an idea forming at the back of my mind. If they were gone, I might be able to convince Aoife to spend the night withme.

“They get back Monday night so probably Monday morning,” he answered, looking between our other two roommates

Tadhg stroked his chest and winced. He’d taken a massive hit that was going to leave a bruise. “I have class Monday so I’ll probably head home Sunday night.”

“What aboutyou?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Sorry man, don’t think I can. I have a huge test on Monday that I’ve done fuck all to studyfor.”

“So? Bring your books.”

“Yeah, because I’ll get enough studying done hanging at your place in front of the X-box.”

“Who said anything about X-box?” Donal laughed. “I’m calling Maura and her girlsover.”

“Fuck yeah!” Fergus exclaimed, going in for a highfive.

“Have fun with that then.” I clapped Donal on the back as I reached into the bus’s hold for my bag. “But I’m out man. Sorry.”

“Your loss!” Tadhg called as the three strolled away, taking turns extolling the virtues of Maura’s friends. Their main virtue being their willingness to make out with each other while the guys watched.

They were welcome to the show as far as I was concerned. If things went the way I hoped, I’d be getting a private show of my own starring my favoritegirl.

* * *

“Hey baby,”I said, climbing into Aoife’s car. “Thanks for picking meup.”

She turned in her seat and smiled. “No problem. Where to Mr. Man of the Match?”

Warmth unfurled in my chest. “You watched?”

Aoife looked out the windshield and, seeing the coast was clear, leaned in for a quick kiss. “Of course I watched. My boyfriend was playing, wasn’the?”

A peck on the lips wasn’t going to cut it. Figuring no one would notice Aoife's car on this side of the lot, I wrapped my hand around the nape of her neck and tugged her to me for a real kiss. My tongue licking its way into her mouth, I tasted her favorite cinnamon candy. “You’re fucking delicious,” I said, once I'd eventually pulledaway.

Aoife rubbed the pads of her fingers lightly over her mouth. “I hope that never stops.”

“What? Me kissingyou?”

“Well, that too. But I was talking specifically about how it feels. Every time your lips touch mine, it sets off a flurry of butterflies in my stomach. From the very first, it’s been that way.” Her eyes found mine in the soft glow of the dashboard lights. “Do you know what Imean?”

I swallowed down the compulsion to tell Aoife that kissing her was the best damn part of my day. Instead, I blurted, “Come home with me tonight.”

Aoife’s smile dimmed. “I can’t. I thought we talked about this—your roommates can’t know we’re dating.”

“Is that what we’re doing—dating? Because honestly, it doesn’t feel like it,” I responded hotly. “I know I said I’d be patient, but you’re making me feel like a dirty fucking secret.” I twisted in my seat and leaned back against the door. “What if our positions were reversed? Imagine I told you none of my friends could know about you? That no one could see us out together? How would that make youfeel?”

Aoife’s eyes dropped to her lap. “Terrible. I’d feel terrible.”

“Yeah, you would.”

“I’m sorry, Eoin. I don’t want you to feel that way, but I don’t know what to do.” She looked at me with tears dancing in her eyes. “Tell me what to do to make it better.”

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