On the Sideline (BSU Football #3) - J.B. Salsbury Page 0,28
men dream of. I don’t know what you see when you look at yourself, but I know how my body reacts when I look at you. I’ll leave it at that.”
“You’re insane,” she says, breathless.
Is she turned on? I am.
“If I’m going to maintain my gentlemanly nature I’m going to have to let you go.” My jeans are already getting tight behind the zipper.
She giggles lightly. “Okay.”
“I know I’m not in any position to ask this, but until we’re able to spend some time together, really see where this goes, can you lock Evan in the friend zone?”
Her laugh is heartier this time and makes me grin. “I suppose.”
“Brat.”
“Jock.”
“I’ll see you around, Bex.”
She hangs up and I’m left staring at my phone, counting down the days until the Valentine’s formal is behind us.
Chapter Nine
Bex
The following day I meet up with Rowan and Emery for our traditional Monday afternoon tea at the campus coffee shop. Rather than lug my ass all the way across campus, this time I drove to the nearby parking garage so I don’t have to work up a sweat to get there. I tell myself I wanted to avoid the walk because it’s warmer today than usual. I use the same excuse to justify why I’m wearing my skinny jeans and floral camisole. I took the time to defuse my hair, leaving my curls soft and shiny and falling loose around my shoulders.
Rowan and Emery spot me as I cross to them from the parking garage to the patio table outside Bean Madness. I wave, the Alex & Ani bangles on my wrist making that awesome tinkling sound that makes me feel dressed up.
I’m not totally lying to myself. I know my chances of bumping into Loren are thin, but after our talk last night, I woke up energized and excited at the possibility of seeing him.
“You always look great, Bex,” Rowan says as I sit across from her. “But today you look hot!”
“Did you go shopping?” Emery asks. “I’ve never seen you in anything other than your sorority sweatshirts.”
I shrug, but can’t wipe the satisfied grin from my face. “I decided to switch things up.” Truth is, I usually only dress up when I’m forced to meet my parents for a meal, holiday, or special occasion. I’d rather put forth the effort than have to listen to my mother harp on me for hours about the importance of presentation and our family reputation. Gag.
“Decided?” Rowan leans in smiling. “What prompted this decision?”
Emery leans in too. “Was it Evan?” She lifts a brow as if daring me to agree.
I narrow my eyes at my only two real friends, looking back and forth between them. “What do you know?”
They both act surprised and oblivious.
It’s my turn to lean in. “Let’s cut the shit. Did he talk to you guys about me?”
Rowan looks like she’s about explode while Emery looks like she’s watching paint dry. Rowan is the first to burst. “Yes! He announced it to the entire dinner table that he likes you! Why didn’t you tell us?”
My face heats. It was easy to discount what Loren said to me about the way he feels when it’s just between me and him, I could convince myself I dreamt it. But now that he’s told his roommates, it’s harder to deny. “I wasn’t sure I believed him.”
“Why is he still going to the dance with your cousin?” Leave it to Emery to ask the difficult questions without a single apology.
“Because I am begging him to. Trust me, it’s better this way.”
Rowan chews on her straw. “I don’t think he sees it that way.”
Of course, because he’s a guy, and maybe guys date each other’s ex’s, but women don’t do that. It’s going to be hard enough to justify being friends with him after he cuts Riley loose let alone date him.
Kaipo’s booming voice comes at us from across the quad, “Where my bitches at!”
Rowan shakes her head and Emery scowls before asking, “Why does he insist on doing that in public?”
“He thinks he’s hilarious,” Rowan says seconds before the big man sits at our table with us.
“Dayum, Bex, baby. You’re looking mighty fine today.” He has the most genuine smile I’ve ever seen on a man; does he ever have a bad day? “All that hair, mmm.” He bites his bottom lip, and I laugh and blush. “I’m still upset you refused to kiss me on New Years Eve.”
“You said I had to share you with Lizbeth Wyman.”
“I take