On the Sideline (BSU Football #3) - J.B. Salsbury Page 0,46

a new toothbrush and a travel sized toothpaste.

“Nice of you to keep a stash for the females,” I say, only half joking.

He zips up the bag and tosses it across the room to his dresser. “They’re not for females, they’re for me. I keep a stash when we travel for games.”

“Oh.” I stare down at the blue and white bristles feeling a little ashamed for thinking the worst.

He seems to read my body language well because he hugs me and kisses the top of my head. “I know what you probably think about me, and I’m not going to lie and say I haven’t had my fair share of one-night-stands. But that’s not what this is.”

“What is it then?” I’m genuinely curious to know if we’re on the same page.

“After what happened tonight, I only want to have you in my bed where I know you’re safe and you can sleep easy. That’s not to say that I don’t want to kiss you and…” He clears his throat. “I don’t want our first time to be clouded with the shit that happened tonight.”

“I’m so embarrassed. I feel like I brought this on myself. I should’ve let you break things off with her when you wanted to.”

“I blame myself.”

I pull away to look up at him. “Don’t. You were only doing what I begged you to do.”

He finally kisses me then. “You didn’t have to beg. I would’ve done whatever you asked if it meant making you happy.”

We kiss a little longer and then I remember the surfboards and pull back. “I have to return the surfboards tomorrow.”

“I’ll swing by the house and pick them up before work in the morning.” He pushes a lock of hair off my face and kisses the bruise on my cheek. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need.”

“Thank you, but I have to go back. It’s my home and—”

“Tell me you’re going to file a complaint with the Greek Review Board.”

“I don’t know.” I catch his frown, but he doesn’t press the subject.

“Sleep on it.”

I can’t stand the look of disappointment in his eyes, so I slip free from his arms and go to the bathroom to brush my teeth. When I come back the room is dark and the comforter and sheets are pulled back. I close the door and Loren guides me to the bed, pulls me into his chest where I rest my cheek against his beating heart. He runs his fingers through my hair and I find myself drifting to sleep a lot sooner than I thought I would. I imagined the first time I got a chance to be alone and in bed with a half-naked Loren, I’d be climbing up his body and kissing him until my lips bled.

So much for the fantasy.

Chapter Fifteen

Loren

Sitting at the edge of my bed, showered and ready for work, I watch Bex sleep. I hate to wake her up and see the tranquil look in her face disappear. I couldn’t fall asleep last night until I saw the tiny groove between her eyebrows finally go away. Until I knew she stopped thinking about what had happened at the party and found a peaceful rest. Waking her up now means I have to watch her go from a few peaceful seconds of consciousness to the shattering reminder of what she went through last night and what she has to face today.

But leaving her in my bed without saying goodbye is something I refuse to do. Leaving her a note is too impersonal.

I run a hand through her hair, tucking the wild strands behind her ear. “Good morning, gorgeous.”

The little groove between her brows comes back before her eyes are even open but I don’t know if I put it there or if her memories are already crashing in on her peace. “I’m sorry to wake you up.” I really am. “But I’m going to go grab the boards and go to work.” I continue to run my fingers through her hair, tucking them behind her ear, and repeating. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be home around—”

“No,” she says, her voice rough but determined. “I want to go with you.” She kicks off the covers and stretches.

I stand to make room for her to get up. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

She rubs her eyes and yawns. “I can’t hide forever. The sooner I face Riley and…everything that happened, the better.”

I scratch my jaw, feeling all sorts of not okay. “You’re