The Girl Who Fell(70)
“I’m going to get snacks,” Courtney tells him. “You cheat anyway.”
Gregg laughs. “Six girls in this house and I get exactly zero sympathy.”
Mom goes to his bedside, kisses him on the cheek. “It’s nice to see you looking so healthy.”
“Don’t tell my mom, but she’s making a way bigger fuss about this than is necessary. I feel fine.”
“I think your mother has the right to be scared about a concussion.”
“Athletes get them all the time.”
“Yes, and their moms worry all the time.”
“Fair enough,” Gregg tells Mom.
“Well, I’m glad I came. I can see you’re on the mend and I’m no good at video games, so I’ll leave you two to catch up.”
When Mom leaves the room I climb onto the end of Gregg’s king-size bed and sit cross-legged.
Gregg nods toward the bag in my hand. “That smells suspiciously awesome.”
I hand it over and he sniffs deeply. “A hand-delivered Slice Special? Why Zephyr Doyle, whatever did I do to deserve your attentions?”
I flick him in the leg. “When are they springing you?”
“Doc says I can go back to school tomorrow, but no hockey for at least a week.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah, I have these headaches that come and go. She tells me that’s normal.”
“Still.”
“I know. How will my adoring fans cope?”
I flick him harder and he rubs the spot.
“Seriously though. What’s with all the attention? Is your presence here Alec-sanctioned?”
“Don’t.”
“It’s not my fault the kid’s got issues.”
“We all have issues.”
“Too right. So I can’t bag on him for being a jealous ass?”
“No, you most certainly cannot. You may have been too doped up to remember, but Alec was the one who brought me to the hospital.”
“The last thing I want to hear is how he’s your knight in shining armor.”
I blush. “No armor, just shining.”
He studies me then. “What’s different? You’re looking very girlie in this moment.”
My smile spreads until I think maybe he can see the sex on me.
“Don’t tell me you really like this guy.”
“Would that be so wrong?”
“Yes. I thought you coming here to fawn over me was a sign that you were ready to declare your love for me.”
“Funny.”
He laughs. “I wasn’t trying to be funny.”
“And yet here you are, being hilarious.”
“Hmm. Deflection. Nice technique.” He nods toward his bedside table. “Rummy?”
“Sure. If you can take an ass kicking in your condition.”
“Hah! Now look who’s the funny one.”
I hand Gregg the cards and he shows off with a fanning Vegas shuffle. “Have you had many visitors?”
“A few. All girls, of course.”
I smile. “Of course.”
“Has Lani been around?”
“Look at you all curious about my love life.”
I roll my eyes. “Forget I asked.”
“I will since there isn’t much to tell. So, gin rummy or five hundred?”
“Five hundred.”
“A vintage favorite.” He deals the cards. “Just like the old days.”
And that’s exactly how this feels, being here with Gregg. Safe and simple and just like it’s always been.
Chapter 23
The following night, I knock at Alec’s door. He opens it quickly, pulls me in with his smile. “It took you too long to get here.”
His front room has stockings hung over the fireplace, complete with roaring fire.
“Come upstairs.”
My body warms. Remembers.
Alec leads me to his bedroom with its dark blue walls and light wood furniture. He stops at the side of his bed, pecks at my neck.
“You’re sure your parents aren’t coming home?”
“Dad’s in the Far East. My mom’s at book club. Don’t worry.” He puts his hand to my hip, fingers the skin above my jeans. Anticipation floods my veins. “I’ll always watch out for you.”
He could never know how deeply I need to believe his promise. “Always?”
“And more.” His unwavering commitment flicks a switch somewhere deep inside of me, somewhere I didn’t know existed until Alec. A place where love can last an eternity. A place the two of us can protect if we love hard enough.
He begins to undress me, taking care with every piece of clothing. When I wear nothing except my bra and underwear, he lays me across the bed and tsks. “When will you learn not to wear these silly things?”
I smile, my body on fire. He pulls the underwear from my hips and slides them over my bare legs. His hand reaches for the drawer of the bedside table, drops my underwear inside. He drinks me in, inch by inch, and I let him. Though the shade is drawn, it’s still light in the large room and I watch his every expression, how his jaw tightens with longing. How his eyes survey me with need. My skin goosefleshes under his delicate touch. I rise to him.