Spiked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #6) - Toni Aleo Page 0,78

to be with him.

All of him. Naked. Dressed. Gray sweat pants. I’m down for anything. As long as it includes him, his mouth, and us. I love us. I love him. Oh my, I sound like a love-sick teenager… I feel like one too. What a feeling. It’s unreal. For so long, I wanted this, wanted Asher because he filled me with such happiness even only as a friend. I’ve also seen him be a boyfriend, and he is incredible. So tentative and kind.

But wait… He was like that, and he never really loved his past girlfriends? What in the world? That blows my ever-loving mind. How? How did he do that? How did he keep himself so detached? When a guy would smile my way, I looked like a puppy about to get a treat. I’d latch, fall in love, and boom! Brokenhearted within weeks. I want so badly to have it all. My person and my career, just like my mom. But Asher has kept that part of him locked up. That’s unreal to me. I know hiding my feelings for him was rough all these years, but for him, he’s never let himself feel for anyone.

No wonder he resisted me so well.

Not that I’m saying I’m all that, but you can always find me with some Doritos.

Aw, Asher would appreciate that pun.

I grin as I park his car in my space. He makes me all giddy, but I’m still curious about this not loving people thing. It’s hard to believe. He almost married Jasmine. What is his deal? I shake my head as I get out of the car, locking it behind me. Before I can start for the dorm, though, my phone rings. I get it out of my purse and see it’s Fallon.

Why am I scared?

I answer. “Hello?”

“Hey, hun. Are you with my son?”

“No, ma’am. I’m on campus.”

“Crap, I have his phone.”

“I know. He asked me to come get it from you.”

“Okay. Don’t you have a game tonight?”

“Yup,” I say, all pleased she knows. It makes me feel special.

“Awesome. I’ll go pick him up, and we’ll head there. Can you send him a smoke signal?”

I snort. “I’ll send him a message. I left my iPad there.” Shit, I shouldn’t have said that.

Without missing a beat, Fallon says, “You’re the best. Thank you, sweetheart.”

“No problem. See you later,” I say, and just like that, she hangs up.

O…kay…

I fully expected questions, demands, about why my iPad is there. But I guess it’s normal behavior for us. I blink twice at my phone and then hit my messaging app that is set up to message Asher on my iPad.

Me: Your mother called. She’ll pick you up before the game. Six o’clock. Also, I don’t think she suspects anything.

He doesn’t answer back, so I head inside. I say hi to some of my teammates before rushing upstairs to my room. When I get there, the door is open, and Angie is lying on the bed, typing on her computer.

“Hey,” I say happily as I grab my backpack. “I wish I could stay and chat, but I gotta go.”

She sends me a forced grin. The only reason I know that is because I’ve seen her real smile, and that is not it. Unable to handle that since I know I brought Taco around her, I head out. “Quick thing!” she calls to me.

I am already out the door, but I poke my head back in. “Yes?”

“I got into that program in South Carolina. I’m moving after the season is done.”

“Oh.” I lean into the doorway, and while it sucks because I don’t want her to leave, I know it’s for the best. She’s wanted to get into that program; she wants to help athletes with addiction. It’s admirable. Also, it will give her a fresh start. “That’s amazing, Angie. I’m so proud of you.”

“Really? You aren’t upset?”

“I would be if you left me midseason.” I wink. “But no, girl. This is huge. You’ve wanted this. I am over the moon for you.”

Thankfully, she sends me a huge grin. “You haven’t heard anything back about your application?”

I shrug, shaking my head. “Guess they didn’t want me. But how could they when they have your application beside mine? You were made for this program, and let’s be honest, I don’t want to go to school anymore.”

Of course, if the opportunity came up, I would take it. But to save my pride, I figure going with that answer is best. She gives me