Page 109 of The Play

I kind of need to, to preserve my own sanity. I can’t let myself develop feelings for Demi. I mean, obviously, I like her. She’s amazing and we have fun together. Asfriends.

I don’t want our friendship to be ruined.

But Demi seems hell-bent on setting it on fire.

“I have a secret,” she teases, gesturing for me to lower my head again.

“Yeah?” My voice comes out stupidly husky.

Her breath tickles my earlobe. “I’m about to do something you’re not going to like.”

Like a fool I ask, “What’s that?”

And rather than answer, Demi angles her head and slants her mouth over mine.

The kiss is as delicious as the last time. She tastes like tequila and a hint of cherry, probably from the red candy she had in her mouth at the game. Her tongue had kept poking it into her cheek, making it look like she had a creature moving around in there.

I laugh at the memory.

She pulls back breathlessly. “What is it?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking about your candy obsession and…forget it.” I just kiss her again, and her tongue eagerly slides into my mouth.

Just feeling it touch the tip of mine unleashes a greedy, caveman side I never knew I possessed. I shove my hand in her hair and drive the kiss deeper. She gasps against my lips. I’m fully aware we’re in the middle of the dance floor sucking on each other’s tongues. I hear music. I register people around us. I don’t know if they’re dancing or staring at us. I don’t care. All I care about is kissing her. And touching her.

I slide a hand down her slender back and cup one firm ass cheek. Ah Christ, I want to rip off those leggings. I want to smack her perfect ass. I want to slip a finger inside her and find out how wet she is for me.

Demi breaks the kiss again. “Let’s get out of here,” she pleads.

The sheer desire swimming in her eyes brings me back to my senses. “No,” I croak, abruptly leading her away from the dance floor.

“Why not?” is her frustrated response.

“Because I don’t want to complicate our friendship.”

“We’ve been making out for the past five minutes, Hunter! It’s already been complicated!”

“No, it hasn’t. That was…just kissing.” The best kissing ever. My body is still throbbing from it.

Accusation sharpens her face. “I feel like you’re purposely trying to be difficult.”

“I’m not,” I say unhappily. “Look, I made this decision before I even met you. And I want to stick by it. I want to prove to myself that I can actually stick to a goal I’ve set and not let sex blow up my whole life again.”

“That won’t happen,” she insists. “The team is doing great. You’re winning all your games.”

“Yeah, because my head is clear. And now it’s about more than celibacy. Ilikeyou. This friendship is everything to me and we both know damn well that sex would screw it up. So I’m sorry, okay? I’m not giving in to temptation again.” I shake my head in defeat. “I can’t.”

Unhappiness flickers in her eyes for a moment. Then it transforms into a glimmer of determination. “Fine. I won’t hit on you anymore. But only if you make me a promise.”

“Demi—”

“After the season ends—” She slants her head, defiant. “Iget to be the one you cross the finish line with, friendship be damned.”

25

DEMI

AFEW DAYS BEFORE THE BREAK STARTS,IMANAGE TOsqueeze in a coffee date with TJ, who meets me at the Theta house. It’s chilly outside, but we both agree a winter walk through campus would be lovely, so we set off in the direction of the Coffee Hut.

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