CHAPTER 12
JESS
I don’t know what that was, but I needed to escape it as quickly as possible. I wasn’t going to freak out. I wasn’t going to freak out.
Luke kissed me.
Luke kissed me, and I felt it all the way to my toes.
The only problem was that it might have been earth–shattering and life–changing for me, but for Luke, it was just some kiss with some girl in the locker room after a game. That much I was sure of.
I barely looked where I was going and slammed into a rigid body, stumbling forward. Strong arms wrapped around me and kept me from hitting the floor. I steadied myself, gripping solid arms to pull myself up.
“Sorry,” I mumbled and fought the embarrassing heat creeping up my neck.
“I don’t mind when a pretty girl falls for me,” Bryan said with a boyish grin. “In fact, I insist on it.” It was cheezy as hell, but Bryan was just kidding, and it made me like him a little.
“I didn’t look where I was going. I hope I didn’t hurt you,” I said sincerely, looking him over for injuries. He seemed fine. He’s an NFL player, and my slamming into him was probably nothing.
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“I didn’t even feel it,” Bryan reassured me, and I felt relieved.
“Well, I guess you owe me dinner but I’ll pay,” Bryan said.
My heart started racing. An NFL star just asked me out. Or kind of had me ask him out? It didn’t matter. I was squirming on the inside, still a little confused by the kiss with Luke.
I decided that Luke was in the past, and despite his efforts, I plan on keeping him there. He belongs there, and he prefers it.
So do I…
“Sounds fair,” I smiled back at Bryan, trying to focus on him and not the kiss lingering in my mind.
“How about right now?” It was an easy question. It’s Friday night. I should go. I should be able to go.
Shit.
I’d almost forgotten – Laura.
“If you give me one second,” Bryan nodded, and I went searching for Laura.
“Laura, you’ll never guess what happened!” I squeaked, but Laura was already smiling.
“Hot NFL star asked you out? I saw it happen. Was he sweet? How did he ask you? Where are you going? When?” I nodded enthusiastically.
“Tonight! He didn’t say where, but it’s going to be dinner. It’s just…” Laura knew what I was going to say.
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“Go! What’s the problem?” She asked, confused.
“Well, you’re spending the night at my house, which you still are. But I’m not letting you take an Uber by yourself. There’s no way,”
“I’ll take her,” my brother’s voice echoed behind me, and I spun around, gaping in shock. Was Josh offering to drive my friend home?
“You’ll take Laura home? Seriously? You’ll take her home while I go on a date with Brayn?” I cocked my head, confused and shocked.
“I said I’ll take her, but if you don’t want me to, then fine,” Josh waved his hand. “No! Wait..” I turned to Laura to make sure she was fine driving with my asshole brother, and she nodded.
Luke stepped out of the shadows, his tiny white towel now replaced by a pair of shorts. “I heard stories, bro; I don’t know. Bryan seems like a nice guy, but I don’t think Jess should be going out with him,”
What the hell was Luke playing at? I narrowed my eyes at him.
“I think that was just some chick who was upset because Bryan didn’t make their relationship public,” Josh shrugged,
unconcerned with my date with Bryan. Luke, on the other hand, seemed pissed off.
I knew Luke wouldn’t press the matter because why would he? Josh would get suspicious, right?
But he doesn’t; he doesn’t want anything to do with me in public, so he just stood there, all frustrated and angry. I liked seeing him like that. I smirked but then remembered Laura needed to
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drive with my brother.
“Laura, are you okay with Josh driving you home?” I asked. “I get it if you’re not?”
“I want all the juicy details,” Laura said with a small smile. Despite the uneasy sensation in my stomach, I left Laura with my brother and felt Luke’s stare as I walked away in search of Bryan.
I walked out to the parking lot, scanning the rows of cars until I spotted Bryan’s truck. I felt a flutter in my chest as I approached him. He was leaning against the side panel, looking effortlessly cool.
“Hey,” he said, smiling when he saw me.
“Hey,” I replied, trying to sound casual. “So, I’m good for dinner.”
He nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Great. I’m fucking starving.”
How he said it made me think he was starving for something other than dinner.
