Page 41 of Rookie Mistake

“Yeah, and smothering me until I can’t breathe is your equivalent of ‘looking after me,’ Oliver,” I cry, cutting him off. “Seriously, please listen to what I’m saying. You’re my brother, and I love you. But you’re suffocating me, and I can’t do it anymore. You aren’t protecting me; you’rehurtingme. I’m going home to pack my stuff. I want you to leave. This conversation is over.”

Oliver’s jaw clenches, and then his mouth opens like he wants to say something, but he closes it and then turns on his heel and disappears back inside the frat house.

I take a second to get myself together, brushing my hands down the front of my skirt. I’m so frustrated and honestly so embarrassed by what happened tonight. It’s the second time my brother has embarrassed me with Davis, and I’m really over apologizing for Oliver’s behavior.

I blow out a breath before turning to walk down the steps to the backyard. I see Davis standing near the fence, scrolling on his phone. He glances up as I approach, and I roll my lips together, scrunching my nose.

“I’m sorry. I feel like I keep having to say that when it comes to my brother, and I realize that he needs to be the one apologizing, but I’m so sorry, Davis. I can’t believe he hit you,” I whisper, stepping closer, shame lacing my words.

My brother, the psycho.

Has a ring to it, I think.

“Don’t apologize. Sure, he started it, but I was talking just as much shit as he was. We’ve got our own shit to work out.”

I nod, reaching up to brush my thumb near the cut, shaking my head. “Yeah, but he should have never hit you.”

“Guys fight. It’s what we do.”

“I just don’t want you to get into trouble with your coach for fighting. People had their phones out.”

Davis’s shoulder dips in a shrug. “It’ll work itself out. I’m sure Coach will make us run till we puke, but it’s not the first time someone from the team has fought, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

“You know, you’re being strangely blasé about all of this,” I say as I cross my arms over my chest, a teasing smile curving my lips. “I honestly expected you to be, I don’t know, angry? My brother punched you.”

“I probably would’ve punched him back if you hadn’t shown up. I was pissed, but it doesn’t really do any good to be mad about it. If shit hits the fan with Coach, then I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.”

“I may have overheard some of the conversation before punches were thrown.” I grin, peering up at him through my lashes. He reaches for me and places his hand at my waist, sliding it to the small of my back before he pulls me toward him slowly.

There’s a hint of a smile on his pillowy lips. “Yeah?”

I hum. “Mhmm. Something about you… liking me? Maybe?”

He chuckles, and the sound causes a flutter in my stomach. I’ve decided I like that sound way too much. “Maybe. I guess that depends on whether or not you feel the same way.”

The truth is I asked myself the same question, and then I realized… there has never been a time since meeting Davis that I didn’t like him. That he didn’t make me laugh or make me look forward to opening a text message from him. I’ve spent the last few weeks deliriously happy, and so the answer to that question is definitely yes.

It was supposed to be one spontaneous, fun night that has turned out to be so much more.

“And if I do?”

His smirk widens into a smile, that dimple popping in his cheek with the motion. “Then, I’d say that I wanna date you, Trouble. I wanna take you to dinner, hold your hand and not give a shit who sees it. Kiss you in the quad, take you to parties and the entire room knows that you’re mine. I told your brother that I liked you, and I meant it. I know that we said no strings, no feelings, but that didn’t exactly go as planned.”

He’s not wrong.Hedoesn’t fit into the plan I had for my freshman year of college, but then again, I’ve never really been great with plans.

I shrug. “Well, plans are overrated. Look at the night that I bid on you here at this very house. Everything about that night was spontaneous, and it was one of the best nights I’ve ever had. Who cares if it’s not part of the plan… because I don’t. I like you too, Loverboy, and if you want to date me, then I accept. But I have to ask that our first official date be at Magnolia’s. It’s only fitting, don’t you think?”

Davis nods. “Whatever my girlfriend wants, she gets.”

“Oh… is that what we’re calling this? Soundsveryofficial,” I tease as I run my fingers along his jawline before I slide them into the hair at his nape.

“Yeah, I know you have that commitment problem, but sorry, Trouble…” He dips his head until his lips are a centimeter from mine, and I can smell the sweet scent of mint lingering on his breath. “I don’t share.”

“Perfect, because neither do I.”

He chuckles against my mouth before his lips crash into mine, kissing me until my legs feel like they’ll give out from the fire spreading through me like wildfire. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, teasing, stroking, taking anything and everything that I have to give.

It feels different than any kiss we’ve shared before. Maybe because now… he’s mine.

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