Page 13 of Sneaking Around with the Player
I slide my phone back in my pocket. “For what?”
She giggles. “To keep hanging out, silly.”
Do I? A hint of annoyance still thrums through me. How many more beers is it going to take?
“Beau?” Her brows pull together as she stares at me, waiting for an answer.
“Nah. I don’t think so.”
“Come on.” She sticks out her bottom lip in a pout.
I shake my head.
“What if we go back to my place instead?”
“No thanks. I think I’m going to call it an early night.”
“You?”
“Yep.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s early. Come on.” She wraps an arm around my bicep and tugs.
I don’t know if it’s her inability to hear the word no or lingering frustration from the encounter with my dad earlier, but I feel like I’m going to explode. And I guess since I have whistling on the brain, that’s what I do.
I’m a little rusty, but I manage to get out a little sound.
Jenny’s head tilts and jaw drops, like she isn’t sure what to say or do. So, I keep whistling. I raise my brows and step around her. I guess itisannoying.
I let my buddies know I’m out for the next game and weave around the downstairs, avoiding Jenny (though I’m prepared to start whistling again if needed), and then head back upstairs.
Off the kitchen is a small balcony. I step out and pull my phone from my pocket. I’m tapping out a reply to Stella’s last text when my phone rings with a FaceTime call.Stella. I am taken aback, but my adrenaline’s pumping.
I accept the call and bring the phone in front of my face. “Hey.”
Stella appears, eyes wide. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I did not mean to call you.”
She disappears, and the camera flips, so I’m seeing the floor and what I assume are Stella’s bare feet. There’s faint noise in the background. Maybe a TV.
“I’m gonna hang up now.”
“Wait! Don’t hang up. I’m glad you called.”
“You are?”
“Yeah. I was just about to text you, but this is easier.”
There’s some rustling and then the camera flips again.
“Hey,” I say, taking in her wet hair and bare shoulders, the tentative smile on her lips.
“Hi. I am so embarrassed. I just got out of the shower.” She tips the phone to show me the top of the blue, fluffy towel wrapped around her. “Where are you?”
“Some of my team—” I start and then catch myself. “A house party off-campus. Congrats on athlete of the month. That’s huge.”
I lean against the railing, smiling at the girl I’ve been talking to nonstop since this weekend. And for the first time all night, I don’t want to punch a wall.
“Thanks.” She beams at me.
