Page 105 of Pick Me

When we got to the apartment door, my stomach dropped. This was it. We had to go back to Baseball Cap and Pyro. Hating each other for purely breathing.

I leaned against our door, kissing every knuckle on her hands. “I guess this is the part of the night where I say goodnight?”

Her cheeks pinkened as she watched me. “I guess so.” She paused. “You’re right. It’s a little weird that we aren’t going to sleep together tonight. Guess I didn’t realize how quickly I’d get used to being in your stinky room.”

I arched my brow. “Stinky? The only thing my room smells of is sex because I’ve been fucking you for the last forty-eight hours.”

She groaned, whacking me lightly on the chest. I grabbed her hand, pulling her in, and kissed her again. This time with more meaning than I could ever convey. She was part of me now. A piece I didn’t know was missing until she kissed me.

When she pulled away, disappointment curled through me like a slow burn.

“I want you in my bed so bad it’s unreal.” The words slipped out before I could stop them, but they were the truth.

Thea bit her bottom lip, hesitation flickering in her deep eyes. “You know that’s not possible. That’s not the way I want Tanner finding out.”

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “I know. I know. I just…” I paused as an idea struck me. My lips curled into a smirk. “Wait a minute. I think I have a plan.”

Her brow lifted. “Yeah?”

“Yes. Come on.”

I pressed a finger to my lips, telling her to stay quiet, then cracked open the door and dropped her hand.

“Tanner?” I called out, loud enough for him to hear if he was in the living room but not if he was already in his room.

Silence.

I took a few cautious steps down the hall, just enough to see the couch. Empty. My shoulders relaxed.

He must’ve been in his room. I wasn’t sure why I even questioned it—Tanner was the most honest guy I knew.

Turning back to Thea, I whispered, “Wait here.”

Then I jogged into my room, rummaging through my desk drawer until my fingers wrapped around a small white case.

When I returned, Thea eyed it suspiciously as I placed it in her hand.

“Headphones?” she asked, brows furrowed.

“Take them with you.” I led her across the living room toward her bedroom. “I’ve got a plan.”

“Okay…” Curiosity flickered in her eyes, but before she could push for answers, she rose on her toes and pressed a quick kiss to my lips.

The soft moment shattered when we heard movement from Tanner’s room.

Thea instantly backed away, mouthing something I couldn’t decipher—I was too busy thinking aboutallthe things we were about to get up to.

“Goodnight,” I said as she slipped into her room, shutting the door behind her.

I headed to my own, still wondering how the hell I got so lucky to have her look at me like that.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Thea

Thea:So, what was the plan?

Jackson:Connect those headphones to your Bluetooth. Once you’re done, lmk.

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