Page 79 of Playing Games

“What?” Finn blurts out on a snort. “Get real. You got rejected.”

Ace is nearly wheezing from laughter. “Why do you look so happy about that and, please, even more than that, why are you talking like a fucking poet tonight?”

I briefly glance over at Lexi again, who is no longer talking to Adam, but instead, chatting with Ace’s parents, and I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. “Because it’s only a matter of time.”

Ace and Finn both look at each other in confusion.

“Mark my words,” I add confidently. “That girl will be mine.”

“Finn. Help me out here,” Ace says. “Bring this man back down to earth.”

“Dude, I can’t judge,” Finn responds. “I spent four weeks in hospital waiting rooms for Scottie.”

“That’s what I’m saying.” I wrap my arm around Finn’s shoulder. “When you know, you fucking know. Right, Finn?”

“When you know, you know,” Finn agrees.

And trust me, Iknow. Lexi is the only girl for me.

I pull a naked Lexi closer to my chest, and everything feels right with the world.

It’s only a little after nine, our usual nighttime habits moved up a few hours because Scottie’s party at Zip’s made Lex take a day off from her evening lab routine, and while I was a little worried she’d be gun-shy about getting together after I cut into her conversation with Adam at the party, she’s been nothing but proactive since her first text around six when I was getting back to my place.

Are you at home?she asked.

To which I responded,Yep. Just waiting for you to get here.

She showed up thirty minutes later.

Confidently setting the hook and letting her take the line out, it seems, has worked just as I’d hoped—I pull her tighter in my arms, reeling her in and smelling the top of her hair.

Sex is always incredible with Lexi, and this time was no exception. She’s this perfect combination of innocent and uninhibited. She’s direct in the best ways, telling me the things she likes and doesn’t like, and she dives headfirst into her pleasure.

I fucking love it.

But that shouldn’t be a surprise either because I fucking loveher.

If only you could tell her.

I lean my head back slightly and slip my fingers under her chin, pulling her gaze to lock with mine. Her eyes are still a little hazy, but I don’t let that deter me from dancing around my truth a little.

“I like you, Lexi.”

“I like you too, Blake.”

“Actually, Ireallylike you, Lexi.” I up the ante a little. “I’m talkinga lotof liking you. Like, a lot.”

“Okay…” She scrunches up her nose. “Is this some kind of riddle I’m supposed to solve?”

“No riddles.” A soft laugh leaves my lips. “But I do have a question.”

She quirks her brow.

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

“Blake.” She flashes a knowing look. “We’ve already been through this.”

“Have we?” I question. “Because it feels like there are a lot of unspoken things happening between us related to our secret relationship but not a hell of a lot of spoken ones. Maybe weneedto talk through it in scientific terms, if you will. You eggheads usually love the details, don’t you?”

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