Page 22 of Play Maker

Better yet, Johnny’s would be open in a few hours. Alex was on sound tonight, so I knew the music would be good. We could grab a pizza, practice some flirting, and hopefully, I’d get her to laugh again.

I hefted my bag over my shoulder and sent RJ a lazy grin. “I have other pursuits.”

8

Got a great idea.

I dropped my phone back on the nightstand with a groan. Adam had no concept of appropriate texting times. The sun was barely peeking through my curtain, and my alarm wasn’t set to go off for another two hours.

The shop was closed on Tuesdays, and I didn’t have any work to do for school. I’d planned to sleep in and indulge in a big serving of biscuits and gravy from the Pancake Shack, a local, poorly disguised knock-off of Waffle House withwayyybetter food.

My phone dinged again, signaling the first of what would be many, many more. Adam didn’t believe in moderation when he wanted attention.

You’re not going to ask what it is?

It’s okay. I’ll tell you.

Johnny’s tonight.

Just you and me.

The texts came in fast and furious, and I shook my head. So far, I’d found responding only encouraged him, but ignoring him never stopped the flood of messages.

We can work on your mate finding skills.

Unless you’ve decided to marry me after all.

I smothered a laugh. Adam’s confidence was awe-inspiring.

I know you’re reading these.

Answer the door.

I sat up in bed, frowning at his last message. He wouldn’t…

A knock echoed in my tiny apartment, and I groaned. Maybe if I closed my eyes he’d go away. Despite the absurd hope, I stayed where I was, staring down at my phone.

Answer the door, Sunshine.

Dammit. His stupid nickname made me all squooshy on the inside. Why was I still reading these texts? Guilt for ignoring him slowly crept into my fuzzy morning brain.

Adam had never been inside my apartment. He’d dropped me off a bunch of times now, but he stayed at the curb until I went in the side door next to the shop. How did he know which apartment was mine?

The question—and my need for coffee—had me lurching out of bed. I made it halfway across my living room before I realized my sleep shorts were still in a pile on the floor in my bedroom. Answering the door in my underwear would definitely send the wrong message.

The newly discovered sexy part of my brain insisted it was the right message, but I went back for my shorts anyway. A quick glance down assured me my boobs hadn’t gone rogue in the night through an armhole of my tank. My nipples were clearly visible poking against the fabric, but I shrugged.

Good enough.

Another knock sounded, and I padded back to the living room on bare feet. Adam could deal with my pajamas if he was going to show up at my place unannounced.

I eased the door open a crack. “Yes?”

Adam pressed a shoulder against the jamb and leaned forward into the tiny space. “Morning, Sunshine. Miss me?”

“In the last fifteen hours? No. I was sleeping.”

He held up a coffee cup, paper this time, and the sweet scent of warm caramel made my stomach growl. “How about now?”

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