Page 14 of Play It Off

We shake on it, and I keep my grip gentle while she tries to strangle my hand with her fingers. Her touch is electric, even when she’s trying to hurt me. I can’t help but want to keep holding her hand, but she breaks free of my grip, taking a step back like she needs the space, and I notice the way her chest rises and falls rapidly. Like she’s out of breath. And when I lift my gaze to find her almost glaring at me, I can’t help but smile. She probably regrets making this agreement with me. I know I do.

“Don’t think you can try anything with me, Gavin. Just because we’re friends now doesn’t mean I want to be president of your fan club,” she retorts.

I burst out laughing. “That’s too bad. I had a T-shirt made for you and everything. It says Gavin’s number one fan across the front. What do you think? Would you wear it for me on game day?”

She gives me the finger and exits the kitchen without another word, her head held high.

This girl—no, thiswoman—is a bit of a menace. But only when it comes to me.

Chapter SixSienna

Calling a truce. Restarting our relationship—no scratch that, ourfriendship. Oh, that word is funny to me. I don’t want to be Gavin’s friend. I want to fuck his brains out and witness him coming completely apart. I want to ride him like I’m a cowgirl and he’s my favorite horse. I want to feel him wrap his arms around me from behind and nuzzle my neck, his mouth on my skin. I want to see his eyes go soft when he first sees me, like I’m the only thing that matters to him. I want it alllll, and instead I settle for friendship.

Am I purposely trying to torture myself by allowing Gavin back into my life?

Not like he ever fully left it. How could he? He’s one of my brother’s best friends. They spend a lot of time together, and not just during football season either. They have genuine affection for each other, and Coop runs everything by his besties—mostly Nico, and even Frank.

And considering I spend a lot of time around Coop and all his teammates, that means Gavin is always around. Lingering nearby. Popping off with some silly comment or laughing at something I say, though he rarely says anything back. He’s kept his distance as if he knew that’s what I preferred, and he’s right. He’s 100 percent right.

I suppose I only have myself to blame for approaching him and having that conversation. Why did I do that again? I wasn’t even drunk, so I can’t say it was too much alcohol.

I am frustrating. Even to myself.

Currently, I’m wandering around campus during a huge break in between classes. Three hours, as a matter of fact. I don’t know what I was thinking when I created my schedule and gave myself so much time in between these two classes, but it’s too early in the quarter to use this time wisely. I don’t have any major homework or projects due. Yet.

I’m about to leave campus and come back later—always dangerous because I rarely come back later; I end up skipping class—when I hear someone call my name. A familiar male voice that sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. I don’t even need to turn around to know who it is.

Gavin.

“Hey.” He’s walking beside me in seconds, and I know he ran to catch up, though he’s not out of breath. He does this sort of thing—run—on a regular basis, and he’s in peak condition. Nothing fazes this man. “How are you?”

I’m stunned that he approached me, but we have new rules now. Guess I shouldn’t be that surprised after all. “I’m—bored.”

Gavin frowns, readjusting his backpack strap on his shoulder. “Bored? We’re too early in the quarter for that.”

“I have a three-hour break in between classes.” I make a face. “That’s too long.”

“Yeah, it is,” he agrees, glancing around campus. The cool breeze coming off the nearby ocean ruffles his dark hair, and oh, he’s gorgeous. I could stare at that chiseled jaw and square chin all day long if he’d let me.

But then I’d look like a total creeper, and that’s not cool. I tear my eyes away from the perfection that’s his face and stare straight ahead while I keep walking. “I’m headed back to my apartment.”

“Coop mentioned you live pretty close to campus.” He says this casually. Too casually. Did he ask about me? Does he bring me up in conversation with my brother? Coop’s never mentioned it, but he rarely offers up much info when he talks, so why would he?

“I do,” I agree, though I give him zero details. Let him ask for them.

“Who are you living with?”

“Um ... Destiny.”

He comes to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk. I do too. “Destiny, as in your roommate in the dorms Destiny?”

I nod, coming to a stop as well. “Yep.”

“I thought you hated her.”

That he remembers me griping about her that long ago touches my heart when it shouldn’t. “I still kind of do.” Well, that’s extreme. I don’t hate Destiny. I just ... don’t know what to think about her most of the time.

“Why do you live with her then?”

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