Page 96 of Game Point
‘No,’ she immediately replied, one arm tight around my neck, while the other gripped her crutches. ‘I’m alright.’
‘You know, I didn’t realize coaching meant giving my player the princess treatment.’
‘I’m a special case.’
‘You’re definitelysomething.’
‘I’m going to take that as a compliment.’
I let out a quiet chuckle, feeling a little blue as we reached her door. I eased her back onto her good leg, one crutch giving her enough support.
‘I guess I’ll see you at breakfast?’ I swallowed the uncomfortable lump in my throat, the thought of leaving her – no matter how close our rooms – too much.
‘I’ll be down around seven.’
‘I think I’ll need an extra hour. I’m beat.’
‘Look who’s slacking now!’ she teased, smiling sleepily over at me.
I waved her off. ‘Even coaches get tired.’
‘Sure. I’ll let you pretend it’s not because you can’t handle your champagne.’
I fought a grin across my face as I turned away to head to my own room, feeling like if I didn’t leave soon, I’d have an even harder time leaving. ‘Goodnight, Dylan.’
‘Oliver?’ I turned, finding her standing where I’d put her.
‘Yeah?’ I asked, sleep beginning to wash over me at the thought of another night in a comfortable bed.
She hobbled forward with her one crutch, closing the gap between us. Taking me by surprise, her lips found mine, placing the softest of kisses on my lips. The moment was so far out of what I expected from her that I stood frozen. Her lips tasted exactly how I’d expected, felt exactly how I had remembered them.
‘Happy New Year.’ She pulled back, keeping her eyes on mine. My hand reached out to grasp her, pull her back to me and keep her close. But she stepped away, the distance overwhelming, shaking her head as she bit her lip.
‘Not tonight,’ she pressed, stepping further back, her hand finding the door. ‘Don’t make that decision tonight.’ Barely breaking my gaze, she unlocked the door.
‘Dylan,’ I said her name like a plea for mercy. But again, she shook her head.
‘I’ll see you at breakfast.’ And then she disappeared into the bedroom, leaving me barely able to comprehend what had just happened.
33
Dylan
So High School – Taylor Swift
In the morning, we didn’t talk about the kiss. At the airport, on the plane, we pretended I had not been a complete idiot and kissed him goodnight. We spent a week back home in Melbourne, also not speaking about it.
I was beginning to think we might never address it. Whether this was a relief or a nightmare, I wasn’t sure.
‘Sit down!’ Oliver yelled from the kitchen.
I turned to face him, a scowl stinging across my face. ‘Stop bossing me about.’
He shook his head sharply, pointing between me and the sofa I wassupposedto be resting on. ‘I’m your coach, it’s my job.’
‘My coach,notmy nurse.’ I stopped myself from sticking out my tongue at him, sick of him constantly telling me what to do or, more accurately, not to do. He refused to let me do anything without assistance or just straight up taking over what I was doing. I was surprised he let me go to the bathroom without knocking on the door, asking if I needed anything.
A small smile curled on my lips as I pointed behind him. ‘You’re burning the chicken.’
