Page 72 of I Blame the Club

Nico

Today’s the day.

Sucking down air like it might go out of style, I force myself to knock on the door. Green hair hits my vision and I instinctively take a step back when Cecelia’s terrifying gaze sweeps over me.

“What do you want?”

I fight the urge to flinch and paste a grimacing smile on my face, “Looking lovely today, CeCe. Is Lacey around?”

Her scowl cuts right through me, “That’s a terrible nickname. Why would I keep tabs on my roommate?”

Choosing not to point out the fact they have an adjoining wall, I wave my white flag, “If you knew where Lacey was then I’m sure Wes would spend a lot more time talking to you.”

Her eyes spark with interest and I know I’ve got her. She gives me a nod and steps aside, “He should come by more often.”

I grin, slipping through the doorway before she can change her mind, “I'll be sure to relay the message. Thanks CeCe!”

Bolting for Lacey’s dorm room, I throw myself inside and quickly lock the door. Lacey shoots me an amused glance from the tiny single bed, lowering the book in her hands.

“Cecelia?”

I nod, gasping for breath, “The scariest creature in all of Taber.”

She laughs, moving over and making room for me on the bed. My feet dangle off the end as I join her, the heavy duty mattress topper softening the unforgiving Styrofoam pad underneath.

Tucking a strand of long, dark hair behind her ear, Lacey looks every bit the girl I fell in love with. The porcelain skin and green eyes are stunning even before you add the midnight-coloured hair and willowy frame.

“How are you doing, mi amor?”

I lean in and give her a kiss on her forehead. Lacey wrinkles her nose and gives me a sniff.

“That’s not your cologne. What did you get up to last night?” She sniffs again and grins, “You were with Mo, weren’t you? I remember that scent from the car ride home the other day.”

I groan, dropping my head on her plush pillow, “Just call me out, why don’t you.”

She shrugs, “Not my fault you didn’t shower before coming here. You should remember that for the future.”

“Already noted.” She nudges my shoulder and I sigh, “I was at his house this morning. We hooked up after the game this weekend and I wanted to apologize for leaving without a goodbye.”

“Sounds like somebody has a crush.” Lacey smiles, “And from the smell of things, I’d say the apology went over well.”

“It did go well. A little too well.”

And that’s how, for the next twenty-minutes, I end up spilling all my assistant coach woes. Lacey listens patiently, absorbing my newfound romantic drama like a champ.

“So, he only got cold once the personal questions came up?”

I nod, “But he totally answered my worst sex story question without prompt!”

She grimaces, “Asking for someone’s worst sex story and how their mother died are two very different things, Nico.”

Shit. She’s got a point.

“Damn it. And here I thought we were making progress.”

Lacey smiles, leaning into my shoulder, “Don’t be discouraged. It sounds like you’ve made more progress than anybody. I have to say it’s nice to finally see you excited about a love interest.”

My jaw drops, “Wow. There was no mention of love here. This is all about sex. Which happens to be exquisite. You know I don’t do relationships.”

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