Page 45 of Your Secret to Keep

Lia

It’shardtosecretlydate a professional athlete you’re constantly in close proximity to. I wanted to run up to him after the game, put my arms around him, feel his hands on my waist, and kiss him. His lips. Move down his neck. The blush hits my cheeks, and I hold back the desire to fan myself.

This man makes me physically fucking hot.

We’re wrapping up dinner and I’ve kept count of how many looks I can steal, doing my best to make them sporadic and carefully spaced. I know I’m taking this a bit seriously, but I kind of like the game. Except when I caught him looking at me and I swear I was a few seconds from melting into a puddle.

I pull my credit card out, waiting for the bill, but Megan stops me. “This is a work trip,” she reminds me. “You don’t pay for anything like this. Not tonight. Not ever. You want room service or anything from the snack bar or cafe? Bill it to your room and the Jags will takes care of it.”

Wow. That’s generous.

“Is there some sort of limit?” I can’t help asking for more details.

Megan holds back a laugh, “No, Lia. There’s no limit. Just don’t be an asshole, and I’m sure you’ll be fine. I’m not worried.”

I hate that my brain immediately goes to my grocery budget. If I had a short cash month, this is one of the areas that would suffer. I once went a whole month eating only ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwiches—I couldn't even get jelly. I count the numberof away games I'm scheduled to attend over the next six weeks and can’t help but think of these in terms of days I won’t have to pay for food.

Before I get too emotional thinking of the extra cash I’ve sort of stumbled on, my group gets up and begins walking to the elevator. It takes everything in me not to steal one more look at Brooks.

Everyone says their goodbyes as soon as the elevator dings. We’re all staying on the same floor, but it’s clear our time together is over. Once I'm in my own room, I shut the door, push my back against it, and slide down until I hit the floor.

I take a moment to appreciate where I am. I’ve never stayed in a luxury hotel, while also practically having floor seats to watch my favorite NBA team add a notch to their win column, and have it cost me zero dollars.

A smile hits my lips and I can’t help but laugh. I didn’t see this coming, and I'm still waiting for Megan to tell me there’s been a mistake or for some weird bill to show up that I forgot about. For now, I need to try and soak this in. I take a picture and send it to Wes.

Wes

wow, rub it in why don’t you

i had peanut butter on saltines

Me

don’t act like that’s not your favorite snack

psh still stings when you’re posted up in a 5 star hotel

also, did brooks get bit by a radioactive spider or something

because that was superhero shit tonight

how much marvel have you been watching?

enough to know that brooks may not be human

i’ll tell him you said that

please don’t

or do

wait don’t embarrass me

i’d never do that…

sure you wouldn’t

p.s. still waiting for my invite

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