Page 36 of Ice Cold Rival

The rest of the visit went by quickly with Eva keeping up a steady stream of conversation and Reece’s roommates coming and going. By the end of the day, I was mostly sure I had everyone’s names and connections straight.

Cole was dating Avery, their coach’s daughter, who was best friends with Marco—the tall sort of goth-y guy with the messy hair. He was dating Stephen—the tall, posh guy with perfect hair—who was best friends with Eva. Eva was with Gavin, who was their former captain. Only Cole, Avery, and Marco went to TU with us. The others had already graduated or had never gone here.

I told Reece I might need a flow chart to study. He laughed, but I was serious. Everyone was kind to me, which was a refreshing change from the rest of campus. I got to help give the ducks a bath, which was the second-best part of the day.

As the sun started to set, tension slowly tightened my body. I’d fooled around with Reece on the couch, and we’d moved on as if everything were normal. Just another day with my boyfriend.

But he wasn’t my boyfriend. We weren’t supposed to be fooling around. His words before Mase interrupted us hadn’t left me for a second.It occurs to me it’s not a repeat hookup if I’m helping you check things off your list.

I didn’t want a relationship any more than he did, but I wanted the sex. The admission came with its own set of hesitations, namely how could I trust myself to keep it casual. Was I capable of being in a relationship with casual sex? At least I knew he wouldn’t seek out other women while he was with me.

He needed the ruse of the relationship as much as I did.

What would happen when darkness fell? Would they expect me to stay the night? Would Reece make a move to finish what we’d started on the couch?

Would I?

Lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed everyone else leaving me, Reece, and Eva alone in the living room until Eva yawned and stretched out on the couch, putting her bare feet in my lap. I didn’t mind. I was curled up next to Reece with his arm around me, his fingers playing with my hair, and I loved the warm, fuzzy friendship of this group.

It reminded me of my sorority at Easton, and I’d missed the physical closeness since I’d moved to TU. Toby had never been much for touch unless we were having sex, and even then, once he’d gotten off, he rolled away to his own space. Did he do the same with all the other girls or was it just me? Was Reece faking right now? God, I hated how the insidious doubts crept up on me at the worst times.

Eva broke through my depressing thoughts by nudging my leg. “So what are we doing tonight? Karaoke at Johnny’s?”

Reece tugged my hair, his sign he planned to let me answer. Awesome. I relished having control in a relationship for once, but I was too nervous about the implications to make a choice.

“I’m pretty tired, so I’m going to head home soon.”

Eva reached down to pat my arm. “I didn’t mean to scare you off. I can be a homebody too. There’s a new season of Next Best Ninja I haven’t seen yet.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

She gasped. “Don’t let Cole or Avery hear you. They’ll force you to watch the first season, and you’ll be hooked.”

Henry gave a disgruntled quack from the nest of shirts she’d dragged from upstairs.

Eva rolled her eyes. “I know you love the show, but not everyone has time to catch up on all twelve seasons. Give her a little grace.”

Henry tucked her beak back under her feathers, but I got the distinct feeling the duck disagreed with Eva. Not a thought Ieverexpected to have.

“I appreciate the offer, but I really do need to get back. I have a ton of laundry to put away.”

Eva sent me a sly side-eye. “Or… you could stay here and make laundry future you’s problem. I’m leaving tomorrow morning, so I might not see you again for a while. I want to make sure Reece won’t scare you off.”

Reece glanced down at me with hooded eyes. “You could stay.”

There it was—the decision I’d been avoiding. Heat licked at my insides, urging me to accept the offer and see what other new experiences Reece could come up with. The strength of those urges convinced me I needed some time apart to make the right choice. Lord knew I didn’t have a great track record with guys.

At least I knew Reece would understand. Judging from the resignation in his stare, he already did.

I took advantage of the moment to kiss his jaw. “Thanks for the invite, but I need to head back. Today was fun.”

Eva frowned. “Someone dropped you off. How are you getting home?”

I held up my phone. “Calling an Uber.”

Reece shook his head. “I’m driving you. As a matter of fact, if you need a ride, call me first. I’m happy to chauffer you wherever you need to go.”

“I appreciate the offer, but you’re busy.”

---