Never His Girl (Kings of Cypress Prep #2) - Rachel Jonas Page 0,45

given it up, and then I ignore her ass.

Joss lets out a sigh from where she’s sprawled out beside Dane on his bed. Sterling’s deep in thought in the armchair, and I’ve been pacing for the last thirty minutes.

We took the win this morning, so there’s another massive celebration going on at a nearby frat house, but I haven’t even considered leaving this hotel room. My brothers and Joss, being my only support through all this, are holed up here with me. To make it up to them for being such a drag, I bought up most of the snacks and soda from the vending machine down the hall. They hadn’t signed up to be my advisors, but slipped into those roles without complaint.

“I don’t understand,” Joss finally says. “The room, the flowers… I mean, it should’ve worked. Hell, it would’ve probably even worked on me if it’d been the right guy,” she jokes.

Dane’s brow quirks with intrigue, probably taking notes for whenever he finally gets up the nerve to make a move.

If he ever makes a move.

It feels like my heart’s in my gut now, though. Not only because of the obvious air of doubt in Joss’s voice, but also because of what desperation had me confessing to Southside last night. There was this look in her eyes, though, making her distrust abundantly clear. While I’ve been far from an angel when it comes to her, I needed her to know I’d never cut that deep. I’d never get her completely open to me like she was last weekend, then exploit the shit out of that moment.

Damn, I’m a dick, but that’s beneath even me.

So, when I realized nothing I was saying last night was working, I spilled my guts, despite having every intention to keep the info about Parker to myself.

Now, what if Southside spills? Not like she has reason to be loyal toward me after all I’ve done.

“And she spoke when you woke up in her room today?” Sterling asks.

I shrug, still distracted by the possibility of having shot myself in my own damn foot.

“We said good morning,” I share. “Then, she left to shower and I ordered us room service for breakfast.”

“Did you guys talk while you ate?” Joss wants to know.

“A little, but not much.”

She’s mulling over my answer and I hate this has me so on edge.

“Other than that, nothing seemed off?” Dane asks.

I peer up at him while I pace, shrugging again. “Dude, I don’t fucking know! Next time I’ll make sure to write the shit down in my diary,” I snap.

A surge of air fills my lungs and I remember that they’re doing me a favor. They’re here to help and I’m in no position to be an ass right now. So, I start again, keeping my cool this time.

“Mostly, I guess it was just awkward waking up naked beside someone you’re not entirely sure doesn’t hate you, but—"

“Wait a second,” Joss cuts in. She sits up and pops a brow at me, smiling. “I thought you said there was no sex.”

There’s a curious accusation in her tone that I don’t miss. I’m also aware of the fact that I’ve just said too much. Again. Which has me thinking I’m starting to develop my mother’s condition: word vomit.

Good job, asshat.

“Joss, just… don’t start. Please,” I say with a sigh.

My discomfort has her smiling bigger now. “You can’t just leave us hanging, West. You left something out. Something major,” she teases, resting on her fist while eyeing me.

“Honestly? I kind of wanna hear this, too,” Sterling jumps in. “I mean, if you two weren’t getting it on, but you were naked, something sure as hell went down.”

“Did she go down?” Dane guesses.

“No… you went down! Didn’t you, West!?!?” Joss cuts in with a gasp. I can hear the amusement in her voice and I kind of fucking hate her right now.

I’m shaking my head as I turn to gaze out the window, avoiding any and all eye contact. This is about to get real fun. Only, in reverse.

“That’s it isn’t it?!?!” she squeals. “Mr. Bigshot, QB-1 broke his own cardinal rule!”

“Settle down,” Dane cuts in, coming to my defense. “Not possible. We all know West is strictly a receiver, not a giver, in the oral department.”

Annoyed, I’m chewing the side of my lip like it’s a steak, and when I fail to deny Joss’s accusation, Dane’s traitorous ass turns on me, too.

“Then again, Southside does kind of have your punk ass whipped,” he