when he shivered. “As I understand it, Leo wasn’t always the nicest person, but he seems to be outgrowing his issues.”
“I’m surprised to hear you say that.” Eli captured my hand and lifted my fingers to his mouth, brushing kisses over my knuckles. “I didn’t think you were a big fan of Leo Taylor. Especially after this summer.”
“Well . . .” I considered. “I don’t dislike Leo. I’m pretty sure he’s a good guy. How could Quinn love him so much if he wasn’t? I don’t like it when he hurts her, but I don’t think he would ever do that on purpose. It’s a fucked-up situation, and that’s no one’s fault.”
“You could blame football.”
I laughed. “I could, but Leo wouldn’t be the man he is if he didn’t love the game. Quinn doesn’t realize that yet. And it’s not the game that’s tearing those two apart—it’s all the shit that goes along with it.”
A slamming door made us both freeze. I held my breath, my eyes wide, as we heard Nate’s steps, coming closer and closer.
“If we’re really quiet, maybe he’ll go away.” Eli breathed the words into my ear. “Don’t make a move. Or a sound.”
“Tuck! You here?” It sounded as though Nate was standing right outside Eli’s bedroom door. I prayed he didn’t open it. We’d been a little preoccupied when we’d gotten to the bedroom, and we hadn’t locked the door.
After a few agonizing moments, Nate moved on. His bedroom door closed, and shortly after that, music began to play.
“That was close.” Eli grinned at me. “It’s a good thing Nate suffers from a basic lack of curiosity. And a healthy respect for my privacy. Otherwise, he would’ve opened the door to see if I was in here.”
“Holy shit.” I closed my eyes, letting out the breath I’d been holding. “We’re lucky he was alone, too. I’m surprised Quinn wasn’t with him. They seem to be hanging out more these days.” I made a face, wrinkling my nose. “Actually, I don’t like where that’s heading.”
“Really? Why not?” Eli tucked my hair behind my ear. “I thought you liked Nate.”
“I do. Mostly. But have you noticed that he seems to have some kind of strange hold on Quinn? I swear it goes back to when they were kids. She’s uber-protective of him, and anything he asks of her, she does. Back we were all freshmen, Gia told me that it was at least partly Nate’s fault that Leo and Quinn broke up in high school. And I don’t think he’s at all unhappy that they’re not together anymore now. I’ve been seeing things. . . I think Nate’s getting ready to make his move.”
Eli narrowed his eyes. “You make it sound like Nate’s going to trick Quinn into . . . what, dating him? Falling in love with him? Sleeping with him?”
“You can laugh, but I think that’s exactly what he’s going to do. He’s playing on Quinn’s natural sympathy for him, and he’s going to reel her in. By the time she realizes she’s in a relationship with him, it’ll be too late.”
“Zel, I don’t think Nate’s as calculating as you’re saying.” Eli sighed. “He’s not a bad guy. He’s single-minded, sure. When he knows what he wants, he’s going to go after it.” He paused. “Maybe you’re onto something, come to think of it. Nate told me yesterday he was going to talk Quinn into going to Homecoming with him. He said it was for her own good, because she’s moping and he thinks she needs to move on.”
“Ugh!” I dropped my face down onto Eli’s chest again. “Dammit. And there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“Speaking of Homecoming, are you interested in going to the dance?” Eli’s words were measured and neutral. “You know, if some hot stud asked you?”
“Well, which hot stud might ask me? What have you heard?” I blinked in feigned innocence, and Eli pinched my side.
“Brat. I was referring to the hot stud who just made you come three times. And you knew it.”
“Oh, that one.” I winked at him, but then my smile faded. “No, I don’t have any interest in going to Homecoming, Eli. It’s not my thing. I’d rather spend time with you, alone.”
He was quiet for a few seconds. “Okay.”
“Is it really?” I touched his chin, nudging his face so that he didn’t have any choice but to look me in the eye. “Because if this is something important to you . . .”
“It’s not really