Page 89 of Collide
“What?”
I examine her incredulity with delight. “The guys noticed she’s been wearing it ever since the carnival.”
The look is replaced with indifference. “When you hooked up with her.”
I glower. “No. Nothing happened. She’s just trying to get my attention now.”
“Does she have it?”
“What?”
“Your attention. Does she have it?”
The question catches me off guard. I didn’t think she even cared where my attention was.Is she jealous?“If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been a bit preoccupied.” I pull her in for a kiss that she finally reciprocates. “So, are you coming or not?”
“Not.” She releases herself from my hold and heads to the bathroom. “I have work to do.”
I follow her to block the door. “You’re mad.”
“I’m not.”
“Fine, then you’re jealous.”
I must be enjoying her reaction too much because she glares. “You wish.”
“Then why is this here, hmm?” I press a finger to the crease between her eyebrows. “Contrary to what you believe, I know you, Summer.”
“You know my body, Crawford. You don’t know my mind.”
“I bet I can figure it out just as quickly.” She tries to close the door again, but I don’t let her. “I don’t even get to shower with you?”
“I’m taking a quick one.”
“Me too, just a quickie.” That splinters her annoyed glare. “Don’t you at least want to wish me luck before my game?”
“We both know you don’t need luck.”
“Yeah, but I do need this.” I reach around to grab her ass, and she yelps before melting into my arms. Walking backwards into the washroom, I kick the door closed.
TUESDAY’S ARE MY favorite. Why? Because Summer has no classes and I’m free after my coaching session. Another plus is not worrying about the guys throwing parties because we have practice on Wednesdays, and hangovers don’t mix well with Kilner’s voice.
Walking into Summer’s dorm, I drop my bag by the couch. “Those little tyrants know how to wear me down.”
“Don’t complain. You love it,” she says when I crash beside her with a groan. “Admit it. You do.”
I shrug, but I can’t suppress my smile. “Yeah, I do. They’re pretty amazing. I get to see their passion, and it reminds me how much went into getting me where I am today.”
Admiration flits through her eyes but then her face scrunches. “God, I bet all your kids are going to be hockey buffs.”
“Definitely. They’ll learn to skate before learning to walk.”
“Sounds torturous. What if they want to play soccer or…basketball?” She adds the latter suggestion purposely, but her smile is so pretty I have a hard time focusing on anything else.
“I’ll support them no matter what.” I wasn’t pressured into sports, so putting an ultimatum on a kid never made sense to me. People are naturally drawn to their talents, but to get to the top it takes hard work, and that doesn’t come from force.
“How magnanimous of you.”
“What can I say? Our kids will be lucky to have me as a dad.” The words spill like water, and I freeze.
