Playing the Game (Providence University #6) - Ali Parker Page 0,29

out a cheerleader.”

“You mean your girlfriend? I can’t believe you protected her.”

I stopped the fight so she wouldn’t kill that girl, but also so she wouldn’t get in trouble. “I wasn’t protecting her, and she’s not my girlfriend.”

“You could have fooled me. You were taking body shots with her and chugging from the tap when I showed up. God knows what else would have happened.”

“I was just celebrating, and they were giving everyone shots.” I wished she hadn’t seen it, and much more than that, I wished I hadn’t done it.

“You did it because I left your stupid game, but you didn’t even ask me why.”

“I’m sorry. But no, I wasn’t trying to do anything to you. I was just celebrating my win, and you weren’t there to see it. I was just upset you missed it. But you didn’t even stick around to tell me why. You turned into someone else instead.”

“Yeah, and I got made fun of. Lesson learned. I looked like a fool in that makeup, and the hairstyle was just stupid too.”

For a moment, I was puzzled, not sure why that mattered. But mostly, I didn’t want her to feel bad. “No, silly girl. You looked fucking fantastic. I think a lot of those guys saw you in a whole different light, but you got wasted and turned into a sloppy drunk who was trying to start a fight.” I didn’t need that kind of drama while I was finishing the season.

Maybe Coach was right?

“You really think I was beautiful like that?”

She just didn’t get it. And probably never would. “Are you kidding? You’re always beautiful to me no matter what, but damn, I didn’t know you ever dressed like that. You surprised me in a good way. And some of the things the other guys were saying, I spent half of the time you were getting drunk getting rid of Britany and her posse and defending your honor.”

“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.” She sank to the nearest chair. She looked so small all of a sudden, and I found myself fighting the urge to hold her.

“You didn’t. Everyone gets drunk and does some crazy shit. If that’s the worst you do, you’re good.”

“You cooked for me?” She glanced over at the stove.

“Yeah, you got really sick. I made you eat crackers last night, but you probably don’t remember that.”

“No. Was that before or after you undressed me?”

“After.” I smiled. She had been so giddy. It was fun taking care of her.

“Did you see me?” She looked away.

“Yeah.” I smiled bigger. “But I behaved myself.”

I could hear the sigh from across the room as she got up to join me in the kitchen. My apartment was so small, it was like all of the rooms faded into the next, but she sat down with me at my little dining nook and looked at the food.

“The toast might be a little dark. I need a new toaster.”

“It’s perfect. Thank you.” She took a bite and looked up at me. “What happened to Abigail? I went to the party with her.”

“I told her to stay and enjoy the party and that I would take you home.” I guessed I wasn’t completely honest with her friend.

She looked up at me with those sexy green eyes that were currently full of judgment. “Why didn’t you just take me home? It’s what you should have done.”

“Your sister might have caught us. And with you in that state, I wasn’t leaving you alone, and I didn’t think Clara would ever like me if she thought I was responsible for putting you in that state.”

“You’re right. But you forget my sister no longer lives with me. It would have been fine.”

“Oh. Well, I’ll remember that the next time you get drunk and pass out in my arms. And okay, maybe I just always wanted to have you in my bed.”

She dropped her fork. “Are you sure we didn’t do anything?”

I laughed. “We didn’t. I swear. I was just kidding. You know, because that’s obviously what everyone will think.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, everyone saw me take you out of there. And I’m sure it’s going to get back to Dillon and your sister before you know it. They’ll all think we’re sleeping together. Part of that is my reputation, so I’ll go ahead and apologize in advance for that one.”

“It’s not your fault what they think. It’s mine. I was just so upset. I thought if I got drunk, I wouldn’t have to