Nice Guys Don't Win (The Boys #2) - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,63

ones, but—”

“Cole?” She silences me. “Thank you … for everything.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

She rolls her eyes. “Can you just accept my thanks and sit down to eat with me?”

I laugh, grabbing my breakfast and joining her on the couch. “You’re welcome.”

“See, that wasn’t so hard.” She bites into the biscuit. “Wow, this actually tastes amazing. I didn’t realize I was so hungry.”

“Aren’t you glad I’m forcing you to eat now?”

“Don’t be smug.” She looks at the time and then me. “Don’t you need to be going to class soon?”

I turn the TV on, flipping through the channels. “I’m staying here with you today.”

“Cole,” she breathes, her eyes softening, “please don’t miss class because of me.”

I take a massive bite of my sandwich, nearly eating half in one go, and ignore her plea. “What are you more in the mood for—a rerun of Charmed or Law and Order?”

“Charmed,” she answers, “but seriously, Cole. You already got me breakfast and my medicine. You looked after me all night. I’ll be fine. You can go.”

I turn my head to look at her. “Now who’s the one bossing. I’m staying here and that’s that. Coach already told me not to worry about practice and stay with you.”

She blanches. “You can’t miss practice too!”

“Can and will.”

“You’re unbelievable,” she grumbles.

“Unbelievably amazing,” I counter.

“All right, Teddy 2.0 simmer down.”

I glance at her, leveling her with a look. “I’m taking care of you and that’s that. I need to be here to make sure you’re okay for my peace of my mind. Even if all you do is nap today, I don’t care.”

She rubs her lips together and dips her chin. “Okay.”

She finishes her breakfast and then says she’s going to shower, rolling her eyes when I tell her to leave the door open in case she needs me.

“I’m not going to need your help.”

“What if you fall from a bout of pain?” I counter. “What if the pain meds kick in and you fall asleep standing up? What then?”

“Fine,” she agrees, knowing I won’t give in easily. “I’ll leave it open.”

“I promise I won’t peek.”

She groans, muttering something about stubborn ass men under her breath.

The shower starts up, and I stay seated on the couch keeping an ear out. Seeing her like that last night was scary. I know she thinks it wasn’t a big deal but seeing someone writhing in pain on the bathroom floor isn’t exactly fun.

My phone buzzes from between the couch cushions and I fish it out.

Coach: How’s she doing?

Me: You didn’t ask her?

Coach: All she said was fine. I figured you’d give me more details.

Me: She ate some breakfast and took her medicine. Now she’s showering. I have a feeling she’ll want to go back to bed after.

Coach: Thank you for looking out for her. I’ll stop by after practice tonight.

Me: Okay.

I try not to cringe over the idea of my coach showing up at our apartment, but he’s Zoey’s dad and has every right to want to check on her. I glance around, resolving to clean up today. It’s not that messy, both of us are fairly neat, but the kitchen counters need a wipe down and I could probably vacuum.

Coach: I can’t believe you live with my daughter.

It’s over text, so there’s no real way of knowing his meaning but I think he’s in disbelief more than anything else.

Me: I know. What are the odds?

Not only that I’d live with her but be falling for her too.

The shower screeches as it’s cut off and Zoey calls out. “I’m getting out now and I’m perfectly fine! I told you!”

“Better safe than sorry,” I call back.

I stay seated on the couch until she emerges changed in a pair of fresh sleep shorts and a tank top.

Do not look at her boobs. Whatever you do, Cole. DON’T. LOOK.

Swallowing thickly, I watch her scrunch her hair with a t-shirt. “I’m going to try to get some sleep. You should too.”

I jerk my head in a nod. “I’ll clean up out here first.”

“There’s not much to clean.”

I open my mouth to tell her about her dad stopping by tonight but decide against it. More than likely she’d call or text him and convince him not to come and I’m sure for his own peace of mind he needs to see her.

“I know,” I say instead, “I just like to stay ahead of it.”

“Suit yourself.” She yawns. She turns to go down the hall but pauses. “You … you can nap in my bed