Page 9 of Steeling Her
Carter
We all crash on the same bed, mine, because it was the only one that was made yesterday. I don’t mind. I like sleeping with other people. Although I wanted to sleep alone, I felt better when they stayed with me.
I listen to their light breathing around me. Danielle resting on her side with her arm draped over my chest. That’s why I found it hard to breath in my sleep. I need to keep an eye on that. Haley is facing Danielle’s back. Danielle begged to be in the middle.
I know I’ve only known them for barely a day, but I’ve a good feeling about these two girls. Something I’ve never felt with people I’ve met initially. I’m always wary about them finding out who I am or what my last name is. But I’ve got a feeling these two might not care all that much? Well, I’m hoping they don’t.
I kept thinking about what happened earlier when we came home while lying in bed and staring at the blank white ceiling, allowing a movie to be played in my head of the events playback. I wake up and do the same thing like I did last night.
All I can think about is Haley’s brother. Nick. Nick Jackson. Those green eyes. That blond, windswept hair. The tanned skin. When his skin touched mine. He was so gorgeous. But he has a girlfriend. An absolutely gorgeous girlfriend.
I need to step back from him. For two reasons: one, he plays football and will use me like the rest. Two, he’s my roommate’s brother. And I’ll throw in the third reason too. He would never think of me like that. He’s too hot to like someone like me. I’m so weird and awkward and—
A knock at the door stops my train of thought. I perk up and hear it again. I slowly climb out of my bed and feel the coldness on my feet as I walk towards the door separating me and the person outside. I peek through the peep hole and see it’s Nick and TJ. They knock once more, making me jump and squeal a little. They definitely heard me. I have to answer now. But I’m in my brother’s jersey with Steel written on the back of it and his number on the front; Austin’s number.
“Shit!” I whisper but there’s no time to change out of it. I wrap my hand around the knob and open it up to see both of them lift their heads to look at me. Nick is wearing a baseball cap, and TJ is in a hoody. Both are in jeans and a white shirt. I don’t say anything but just stare at them. It’s hard not to. They’re both so good looking.
Seeing Nick smile at me, it knocks the wind out of me. He knows it too. “Hi.” He stands up and uncrosses his arms that were over his chest.
“Hi,” I reply shyly and swing the door open for them to come inside. They walk through the door and watch me step aside. I feel embarrassed under their gaze as I close the door. “Haley’s, um, still sleeping in there . . . I can wake her up if you’d like?” I ask lowly, not making eye contact with either of them.
“I thought that was her room?” TJ asks out loud. I raise my head to see him pointing to the room she chose.
“It is . . . but we all just slept in my bed. It was the only one that was made . . .” I fidget with my long sleeves on the jersey. Then I realize I’m only in panties underneath this jersey. No bra, nothing. Double shit! I mentally groan at myself at how stupid I’m being. I probably look so disgusting right now, and I’ve got two of the hottest guys I’ve ever known standing right in front of me.
“You all slept together?” TJ repeats my words in a higher voice than he originally had. My eyes snap up to his to see the cheeky glint in his eyes.
“Not like that! We just fell asleep . . . I don’t . . . I’m not into girls . . .” I stutter out loud, making their smiles grow bigger, allowing my head to shake fanning my hair out. They’re playing with me, aren’t they?
“He’s just messing with you,” Nick interrupts my rant and steps a little closer to me. His hand is slightly raised, making me watch it coming closer to me. “Good to know you’re not into girls,” he whispers seriously when TJ walks over to the kitchen, laughing lowly. I feel my cheeks heat up, and I walk back towards my room. I just don’t know what to do when I’m around them. I act like such a school girl meeting their celebrity crush. I mentally cringe at the thought.
“You a Steel fan?” his husky voice asks me. I turn around and send him a tight smile before walking into my room.
Don’t give him anything. Walk away from him. I get too nervous when he’s around.
I poke Haley to try wake her and she doesn’t move. “Haley?!” I whisper to her so I don’t wake Danielle. She still doesn’t move a muscle. I repeat her name. I’ve gotten nowhere for the last five minutes. I sigh and debate whether I should stay in here or go back out to them. I change into a top and yoga pants, tying my hair up into a bun. With a bra on this time.
I walk back out to see them sitting at our table drinking water. Both turn their heads to face me. I send them a small smile and switch on the TV to ESPN to watch the statistics of the players. Mainly my brothers’.
“Football fan?” TJ asks me while watching my reaction.
I smile with a weak nod and ask them, “Do you want any breakfast? I’m going to cook myself some . . .” Not facing them, I reach the handle of the refrigerator and bend down to take out the food my mom ordered for delivery yesterday. The fridge is completely stocked with food.
“Sure,” they simultaneously say. I spin around to see both of them watching me. I then hear the commentary on the TV in the background.
“Will the Chargers and the Giants meet each other for the third time in the Super Bowl this year? Steel brothers versus their father’s team! That’s a tough decision to make in the Steel household!” the reporter jokes. I laugh, shaking my head at how true it is. It’s a nightmare picking a side.
“Chargers will definitely win this year! Their team has no injuries so far, but the Giants have two players injured,” TJ voices his opinion while I hear Nick agreeing behind me. I stay silent, listening to the two guys chat about football. I don’t want voice any opinion about it. I don’t need them getting suspicious.
“You ever been to a college football game, Carter?” I freeze at the mention of my name leaving his mouth. I turn around to face Nick and nod. Twirling back to cracking some eggs, I place bread in the toaster and open the packet of bacon.Don’t ask me anymore about football, please.
“Haley goes to all our games. You should come too?” TJ asks me.
I turn around to face them again and say, “Oh no, it’s fine. I’m sure you have a lot of girls supporting you already. But thanks!” I try reject nonchalantly.Why did I say that? I sound so jealous! Way to go Carter!
“I think you’ll be dragged along, anyway. Haley doesn’t like to go to anything alone. Either you or your other roommate will be going.” TJ’s voice echoes through the kitchen. He’s right. Haley will make me go anyway if Danielle won’t go.
“I’ll go with her to keep her company,” I say while whisking the eggs up in a bowl for us. I allow the bacon to crisp a little.
