Page 64 of Forbidden

“Well, I don’t know,” she sasses. “Do you have alcohol, Coach?”

I pull a hand over my face. “This is such a bad fucking idea.”

“Why?” Aldo asks, wiggling his eyebrows. “You planning on corrupting us?”

And just like that, my dick wakes up. “No. I need to be responsible.”

Joy huffs, folding her arms, and I have to press my lips together to hide my smile. It’s a move she’s pulled since we were kids. I clench my hands into fists to stop myself from tugging on the bottom lip that’s sticking out, like I always used to.

My heart races. She wants this. Wants to spend time with me. In my apartment. But Aldo will be there, so it’s not like anything could happen. I blow out a breath. It could be fine. We can do this without blurring lines. I think.

As much as common sense is screaming at me that this is a bad idea, I also know it’s an opportunity. Joy is opening a door for me and if I don’t take this chance, I might not get a second one.

“Okay,” I say, shifting to the front of my seat. “I’ll speak to Jon and see if it’s possible.”

Joy’s answering smile silences the doubt swirling in my head. It might be reckless, but if it makes her happy, I know it’s the right choice. No matter the consequences.

JOY

Jon, the driver, agrees to drop us off on the main road, which is only a twenty-minute walk to Lane’s place. It’s freezing cold wearing our swim team branded sweats, and we all but jog the whole way.

“I’m going to need a fucking drink after this,” Lane huffs, his breath clouding the night air.

Aldo laughs. “Out of shape over there, old man?”

“Shut up,” Lane scoffs. “When’s your birthday?”

“September eighth.”

Lane laughs. “Mine’s September twenty-fifth. I’m less than a year older than you.”

“And out of shape already,” Aldo teases. “Is this what I have to look forward to after graduation?”

Lane shoves him playfully and I step in between them. “Stop it, children. Are we almost there?”

“Just round the corner,” Lane says, fishing keys out of his jacket.

It’s a small apartment block. Only two stories high and surrounded by trees. I know Doug lives around here, too, but I have no idea how close. Glancing at Aldo, I wonder whether he ever went to Doug’s place. I suppose he must have. There’s no way they were fooling around in the dorms.

Lane taps in a code and opens the door, ushering us inside. “I don’t have a lot, but I think I have some vodka and some rum somewhere. Maybe a bottle of wine.”

“I’m sure we can make it work,” I say as we follow him up the stairs.

The hallway is quiet and narrow, with only four doors. Lane stops at the one at the end and pauses, as though questioning his decision.

“Too late now,” I say. “Unless you want me and Aldo to catch an Uber back to campus?”

Lane frowns and shakes his head as he places the key in the lock. “No. It’s fine.”

“Don’t feel pressured to do anything that makes you uncomfortable,” I say, reaching out and placing a hand on top of his. “We didn’t like the idea of you celebrating your first win alone, but if it’s going to have you on edge, we can just head back to campus. It’s not a big deal.”

“Joy’s right,” Aldo says from behind me. “If you’re not going to be able to relax, then it defeats the point.”

Lane blows out a breath. “I know. I just need this job, you know?”

“You know we’re not going to tell anyone, right?” I say, my eyebrows raising. “It’s not like we’re going to be posting pics online. This is just between us.”

“Circle of trust and all that shit,” Aldo says, grinning.

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