Page 26 of Puck You Not

“I feel like she’s the one,” I told him quietly as we headed for our lockers, each set up like a stall with narrow walls between them.“I just need her to feel it, too.”

“Dude,” he scoffed, dropping his stick into his cubby and yanking off his helmet.“You met her last night.”

“Not really.It’s a long story, but we’ve been talking since last year.”

He froze and turned wide eyes on me.“Wait…” he crowed.“Areyouthe anonymous pen pal?Oh my God!That’s priceless.”

“Not so anonymous.She knew who I was almost the whole time,” I confessed.

“She did not!”he exclaimed.“That little sneak.She had us believing she had no idea.Nash is gonna give her hell.”

I laughed.“Maybe, don’t tell him yet.Get your wholegay for mething out of the way first.”

“Yeah, good plan,” he agreed.

Grabbing what I needed, I headed for the showers.It was still pretty early, and I wanted to get back to my house before Avalon woke up.I sped through my clean up, then raced toward home, stopping along the way for coffees and pastries, both sweet and savory varieties, fromMidnight Java,the local coffee place.I had no idea what she’d like, if she even drank coffee, but I crossed my fingers it was the right move.Eventually, I’d know exactly what she liked.I’d learn everything about her.

Luck was with me, and Avalon was still sound asleep when I slipped into my room.I wasn’t shocked.It had been a late night, and she’d had trouble sleeping with the party going on—my house mates and I would definitely be having a talk about that.An unannounced party on a Tuesday night just wasn’t acceptable.Several of us were on Rustin’s sports teams and actively training.

A problem for later.I didn’t want to bother with any of them right now.My only focus was on the woman sleeping in my bed.

I sat on the edge of the mattress.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” I said quietly, caressing her cheek with my curled fingers.Avalon jerked, tensing.Almost immediately, she seemed to remember where she was and realize it was me beside her.She relaxed and made a soft sound, burying her face in the pillows.

“Parrish,” she whispered, her voice rough with sleep.

“I brought coffee and food,” I offered in the same quiet tone.It seemed in keeping with the moment, an unfamiliar intimacy surrounding us.Unfamiliar but right.

She hummed, turning onto her back and opening her eyes.She peered sleepily over at me, smiling softly.“You didn’t have to.’

Leaning in, I brushed my lips over hers.“I wanted to.Sit up, and I’ll bring over the food.We can have a picnic on the bed.”

Scooting upright, she leaned against the headboard and tucked the blankets around herself.I handed her a coffee then grabbed my own and the two bags of food.I offered the latter to her, as well.

“I didn’t know what you’d want,” I explained.

“This is sweet of you,” she said.

“Can be sweeter,” I said.“Stick around.”

She bit her lip and glanced around my space.“I think I’d like to, but I can’t impose on—”

“Stop,” I interrupted.“You’re not imposing.You can stay as long as you want—to the end of the school year, even.If you can put up with me and with the guys, that is.”

“Won’t your roommates be mad at you having a girl move in?”

“Nah.Hell, Egland’s girlfriend stays over most nights.She might even live here, for all I know.”I shrugged.“I’ll introduce you to all of them later, so they’ll be cool when you come and go.”

She nodded and pulled out one of the egg, cheese and sausage pastries.“I love these.”

“Phew,” I breathed, exaggerating my relief.“I didn’t know what to get.”

“Well, you scored with this.”

“Can I score again and take you out tonight?On a planned date rather than an impromptu stop at a hole-in-the-wall diner.”

“Yes.I’d really like that.Parrish, thank you again for—”

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