Page 31 of Wild Promises

When the credits finally rolled, I jumped up, away from the heat of his body. I felt overly warm, as if I was getting a fever. "I'm exhausted. I think I'll head to bed."

Xander just raised a brow as I moved around the room, straightening the snowboarding magazines on the coffee table. When everything was orderly, I said too brightly. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Night, Tori," Xander said softly as I practically ran to my bedroom and shut the door. My heart was thumping, and my breath came in short pants. What was wrong with me? I couldn't even be in the same room as my best friend anymore? What was it about moving in together that made everything more heightened? I wouldn't survive practicing to be in a relationship. It was too much, especially when he sat there all cool and unaffected.

Since I'd returned to town, I hadn't reached out to any of my other friends. It was time to talk to some girlfriends. I couldn't stay in this bubble in Xander's house without losing my mind. I texted my friend, Noelle.

Tori: Hey, I'm back in town and wanted to try and get together if you're free.

Noelle: Yay! I'd love to catch up sometime.

Tori: You want to go out for drinks tomorrow?

Normally, I would have suggested lunch, but I couldn't stay in this apartment with Xander for a minute longer or I was going to confess everything to him. This arrangement was driving me crazy, and I was fairly sure I was in lust with him. But I knew if I told him how I felt, this thing between us would be over.

Xander never had a serious relationship with anyone. Why would he start with me? He wouldn't want to ruin our friendship anymore than I did. I just needed to get through this, secure my father's trust and hopefully his practice. Then we could split amicably and move on with our lives. We'd have our dream jobs, and we could go back to being just friends.

Why did the thought make me sad?

9

XANDER

When Tori said that she was going out with her friend Noelle for drinks, I called my brothers to see if they wanted to play pool tonight. We frequently got together to hang out at the lodge. Eli thought it looked good for us to be seen together in the lodge, enjoying the amenities, and I just needed a night out of that apartment.

I never realized how small it was until Tori moved in. One more reason to talk to a realtor and get moving on a new place. Maybe things wouldn't feel so tight. We'd have more square footage, more than one bathroom, and maybe some property so that I could go outside and take a walk when things were too much.

Right now, the walls seemed to be closing in on me, and I couldn't escape her scent, especially in the shower. I couldn't help but stroke one out every time I was in there. I was positive that Tori was going to realize that I'd been crushing on her this whole time and freak out.

She'd probably move out, rendering our arrangement null and void. I had to play things cool. I just wasn't sure how to do that.

I stood at the high table, nursing my warm beer while Oliver and Eli duked it out. My head wasn't in the right place for a pool game.

It felt good to get out of my house. Now if I could just get out of my head too.

Eli approached the high-top table while Oliver made his move. "What's going on with you?"

My pulse picked up. "What do you mean?"

"You seem—" Eli scrutinized me. "Jittery."

"I'm not jittery." I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin, not something I experienced when I was on the slopes, but it was a common occurrence in school where I was expected to sit still for long periods of time.

Eli raised a brow. "How are things going with the new roommate?"

That made my heart skip a beat. Did Eli know that we'd gotten closer and cuddled on the couch last night? Did he know I wanted to kiss her while we were talking? That I had to force my attention on the TV or I was going to follow through with my desires? "Fine."

Eli smirked. "How is it having a female roommate when you bring women home?"

I was momentarily confused. "I never bring women back to my apartment."

"You always go to theirs?" He nodded. "Smart."

"That's not the case either." Was it worth trying to change his mind, or was it too late? The damage had already been done, and Eli thought he knew who I was as a person.

Eli shrugged. "You get a hotel room each time? Hey, man, I'm not judging, just trying to get a picture for how things are with a female roommate who's just a friend."

Was that sarcasm I detected in his voice? "I don't get a hotel room. What kind of a guy do you think I am?"

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