Page 78 of Collide
I hit his arm, but that only makes him bark out a laugh. Which would be a pretty hot sound if I wasn’t so irritated right now.
When warm fingers reach to lift my chin, my stomach flutters. “Did you mean what you said?”
This is no time to be a coward, Summer.
I swallow hard. “Yes.”
His tense shoulders relax, and he grins. “Say it again.”
“Hell, no.”
“Come on. One more time,” he goads.
I shake my head more seriously now. Aiden shrugs and turns to leave. I fight the urge to roll my eyes when I grab the sleeve of his T-shirt to pull him back to me. He comes easily, not even trying to hide the big smile on his stupidly smug face.
I breathe a dramatic sigh. “I want you to fuck me.”
Aiden’s eyes light like a kid on Christmas. “Was that so hard?”
“Extremely,” I say. Then the awkward feeling starts to creep back in, and my brain tells me to neatly sort this situation before it slips from my fingers. “So, like a friend’s with benefits thing. People with benefits? Or fuck buddies, I guess.”
Aiden’s jaw ticks. “Right.” He rubs the back of his neck, and his bunching biceps momentarily distracting me. “Now?”
The word sends a hot burst of heat through me, but I shake my head. “Uh no.” I take a safe step away. “I have class, then I’m going over my paper with Donny. But I’m free Friday.”
He tenses at the mention of Donny. “I have practice till seven. How about eight?”
If anyone were to hear us, it would sound like a business meeting, but the ease of the conversation is the only thing keeping me from wanting to wipe myself from the face of the planet.
“Your place? The guys will probably have a party they’re not supposed to have here,” he says.
“Sure. Amara’s out on Fridays.”
“Works for me.”
I turn to leave but stop. “And can we keep this low-key? I know the guys in there heard me, but I’d rather everyone else not know.”
“Embarrassed?” The question is probably meant as a joke, but I’m confused by the prickly contempt that slips into his tone.
“I just don’t want everyone in our business.”
“Yeah, I get it. I’ll see you later, Summer.”
25 | AIDEN
FORTY-EIGHT HOURS ago, I was a much happier man. Summer said she wanted me, and I was seconds away from letting a tear of sheer joy fall before we were interrupted by the guys. If it weren’t for them, I’d have taken her right there on the couch.
When I gave her the choice to find me if she wanted me, this isn’t exactly how I pictured it. Mostly because the only thing I’ve been able to picture this past week is her naked body.
Now I’m waiting for her text to confirm we’re meeting tonight. I’ve taken three breaks since practice started to go to the locker room and check my phone. Coach let it slide, but I’m sure he’s going to ream me for it next time. Plus, the punishment I’m opening myself up to is useless because I’m 0 for 3. Summer hasn’t so much as sent a thumbs up or a simpleKto any of my texts.
“Crawford.”
I toss my phone back in my locker, slamming it shut with too much urgency. “Sorry coach, just checking on my grandma.”
“You know, I’ve been a coach for so long, I’ve heard just about everything. Sometimes, I think you kids forget I’ve lived the life of a collegiate athlete, too. Lies don’t interest me.”
I release a resigned breath. “I was waiting for a text.”
