Page 26 of Crossing Lines

“Come on, Jonah. He’s not coming. Let’s go to bed.” Archer stood in front of me, his hands on his hips.

Heat flooded my face. Shit, I was an idiot. With a scoff, I stood and ambled to him.

“I’m sorry, man.” Archer draped an arm over my shoulders and walked me toward the elevator. “I’m sure he’s busy tonight.” He blew out a breath. “Or maybe he’s tired and already in bed.”

“Yeah.” Tightness wound through my chest. Or maybe this was his way of letting me know he wasn’t interested.

The next morning,we’d stowed our gear under the bus, and I waited in line with only my laptop bag to get in behind Ace and Mason. I peeked up at the clouds hanging heavy in the sky. It was probably going to snow here today. Ryan hadn’t come down for breakfast, so I assumed he’d gone out somewhere else or had taken it in his room. Was he seriously avoiding me?

Ryan walked around the front end of the bus with his counterpart, Coach Hammett, and they both cut through the line to board.

Fuck, he never even looked at me. I balled up my cold hands, then held them to my mouth and blew hot hair over them.

“Cold? Aren’t you from Minnesota?” Mason snickered as he twisted around, then nodded his head at the bus. “Hey, you going to kick Coach Hammett out of his seat to sit with Coach Hot Stuff?”

“Leave him alone.” Ace backhanded Mason’s shoulder.

“Ow, fucker.” Rubbing his shoulder, Mason threw Ace a glare. “I’m only teasing, and he knows it.”

Ace’s gaze swung to mine. “Yeah, but it’s not nice to kick someone when he’s down.” He squeezed my forearm.

“What, did Archer talk to you?” I glanced behind me.

Archer was on his cell phone, a wide smile on his face. He was probably talking to Leo. The guy was a lucky fucker.

“Yeah.” Ace lumbered forward in the line and slapped Mason in the ass. “Get a move on. I thought you were quick?”

“Dude, don’t spank me when the other guys are around.” He fluttered his lashes at Ace.

“Moron.” Ace rolled his eyes.

A soft chuckle rumbled in my chest. These two were making me feel better, as usual. I followed them onto the bus and up the stairs and my gaze caught on Ryan in a window seat next to Coach Hammett, their laptops and papers on the seat between them.

I couldn’t fault him for getting some work done on the way home. Hammett probably had some players he wanted Ryan to look at. I stepped down the center aisle, fixated on Ryan.

He snapped his gaze to mine for a beat, then shifted and looked out the window, clearing his throat.

Fuck, that wasn’t a good sign. Slumping my shoulders, I passed Ace and Mason, who were arguing over something stupid, and found an empty seat toward the back and slid in. Hopefully, Archer would come sit with me. Though I didn’t want to talk about Ryan anymore. In fact, I should probably getsome studying done. I zipped open my bag and tugged out my laptop.

Archer strolled up to my seat. “Want company?”

“Yeah, sure.” I squished back in my seat and let him by, then set my bag under the chair in front of me and opened my laptop.

“Studying?” He tucked his bag by his feet.

“Yeah, for now.” Hopefully it would take my mind off the confusing situation with Ryan.

Almost a whole week had passed,and it was Saturday night. We were enjoying a second hard-fought win against Stonehill, a college in Maryland. Coach Gibson had successfully ignored me all weekandat the games and I was pretty sure any spark between us was gone. At least on his end. For me, they were still a burning ember ready to ignite at any moment. I couldn’t just shut off my feelings for the guy.

I followed Ace and Mason up the metal stairs at The Club on Mill. We were the only squad members wanting to either hook up or, in my case, forget somebody. Archer was having his usual date night with Leo.

As I rounded the top of the stairs, I caught my reflection in the glass door to the club. I was looking fine tonight in a sheer white shirt and my most form-fitting jeans. As I showed my ID to the bouncer, I unbuttoned my shirt down to my navel. Yeah, I was showing it all off tonight.

Mason bounced up beside me. “You are hot tonight, Jonah.” He flashed his ID at the bouncer.

“Yeah? Thank you, Mason.” Grabbing his hand, I strutted into the club with him, the thumping music and flashing lights filling the air around us.

Ace followed behind and wedged his way between us, planting a hand on both our shoulders. “You two look likeyou’re together. Is that the vibe you want to be putting out tonight?” He chortled.

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