Page 49 of Wilder Puck
I glare at him. “Thank you, Captain Obvious.”
Chase leans forward, his expression curious. “So, what happened to bring on this little crisis? Is it just awkward or, did you two have a fight or something?”
“No, not exactly.” I blow out a breath. “She, uh, she gave me some other chick's number last night. Told me I should call her.”
Their jaws drop in unison. “She what?” Andrew demands.
I shrug helplessly. “This Emma girl came into the sports bar where Addie works, and I guess she recognized her from a pic I posted of us a while back. Asked Addie to pass along her digits.”
“And Addie actually did it?” Colton asks. “What the fuck, man?”
I scrub a hand over my face. “She said she didn't want to hold me back or whatever. That if I wanted to date other people, she was cool with it.”
“Bullshit,” Chase says flatly. “That girl is ass over teakettle for you, Wilder. No way she wants you getting with someone else.”
“I don’t know,” I mutter.
They all groan. “Dude, are you blind?” Andrew asks. “Addie's been looking at you like you hung the moon for years. And now that you're finally hooking up, she's probably freaking out about catching feelings.”
“Yeah, you're in a minefield, bro,” Colton agrees. “We told you that you have to be extra careful with this friends-with-benefits shit. One wrong move and kaboom.”
I drop my head into my hands with a muttered curse. They're right. I've been so focused on not scaring Addie off with my own feelings that I didn't stop to consider she might be struggling with hers too.
“So what the hell do I do?” I ask, my voice muffled. “She's already trying to cut this thing off and I'm not ready for that.”
“Of course, she's trying to cut it off,” Andrew says, exasperated. “She loves you back, man. But she probably thinks you just see her as a convenience lay.”
My head snaps up. “That's not––”
“We know that,” Chase cuts in. “But does she?”
I open my mouth to argue...and then close it again. Becausefuck, are they right? Baddie did mention that I don’t need any pointers in bed. She said I’m perfect and asking her to agree to one more time makes me sound like a desperate asshole. She clearly wants to cut things off, but I can’t. I need a fucking master plan.
I've been so careful not to push, not to let on how crazy I am about her. But what if that's exactly the wrong approach? What if Addie needs me to make a move, to show her this is more than just sex to me?
“Shit,” I mutter. “Okay, so I need a master plan, boys. A grand gesture or something. How do I convince her I'm serious about this? About her?”
The guys exchange looks, smirks spreading over their faces. “Oh, we've got some ideas,” Colton says, rubbing his hands together. “First things first—how's your dirty talk game?”
I choke on air. “Uh, what?”
“You know, your pillow patter! Do you rev her engine with that filthy mouth or what?”
My face flames. “I mean, I'm not a monk. But I don't get like, super graphic or anything.”
Colton tsks. “Well, there's your first problem, my dude. Chicks dig that raunchy shit. You gotta tell her how good she feels, how much you love sinking into her tight little––”
“Okay, Christ sakes, Colt. That's enough!” I snap.
He cackles. “What's the matter, Wilder? Too shy to tell Addie all the dirty things you want to do to her? Because I guarantee she wants to hear them.”
I squirm, uncomfortable. It's not like I'm a prude. But the thought of saying that stuff out loud makes me want to die alittle. I'm more of an "actions speak louder than words" kind of guy.
“I don't know,” I hedge. “What if she freezes up or gets embarrassed? I don't want to make her uncomfortable.”
Andrew rolls his eyes. “Dude, you've just gotta ask her if she likes it. Basic sex etiquette. You've never checked in with a chick you're railing to make sure she's feeling it?”
“Um.” I cough. “Not in so many words, no.”
