“Your coach broke like every rule in the book to get you to play for Pitt.” Courtney turned around to face me in the hot tub, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I’d almost forgotten that she was in my lap, since she’d fallen asleep twice amidst the bubbling waters.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said. “Coach never paid me to play for him.”
“He did everything except that.” She smiled. “He really lets you have access to this vacation house whenever you want?”
I nodded.
“How many other, I mean—” She paused. “I’m having a really good time.”
“Finish the sentence that you started,” I said. “Ask me.”
“It’s none of my business.” Her cheeks reddened. “I forgot what I was going to say anyway.”
“Ask me, Courtney.”
“How many other times have you brought someone else here?”
“Twice.” I trailed a finger against her swimsuit strap.
“Was it like this?”
“Both times were with Grayson, so, no. I’ve never brought another girl here.”
“Because—”
“Because I’ve never cared about another girl enough to want to be around her for an entire weekend.” I pressed my finger against her lips. “Never, Court. You’re my only one, and you always will be.”
Courtney: Then
Senior Year
Pittsburgh
Days after our trip to his coach’s house, I knocked on Kyle’s apartment door. We had a little under six weeks left in the semester, and I needed to put a stop to this now.
No answer came, so I knocked again.
The door swung open seconds later, and Kyle stepped into the doorway, completely shirtless.
“Hey.” He smiled. “I thought you were too exhausted for round sixteen.”
“I can’t keep hanging out with you like this.” The words rushed out of my mouth.
“You came all the way down here to tell me this?” He was still smiling. “Is your phone broken?”
“I feel like our end is inevitable, so if we could just slow things way down until we go our separate ways, I’d really appreciate it.”
“Court …”
“When I like someone, I want an actual relationship. I can’t have that with you.”
“Says who?”
“Says the guy who is leaving for the league in a few weeks, the guy who—” He cut my words off with a kiss and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
He kissed me until I was breathless, not letting go until I was no longer able to speak.
“You think too damn much, Court,” he whispered, as he finally let me go. “You also worry too much about the future and things you can’t control.”
“I can control whether I let someone play me for a fool.”
“Have I done that?”
“Not yet.”
“So, you’re just anxious right now.” He smiled, trailed my bottom lip with his finger. “I like you a lot, Courtney. I don’t want to waste too much worrying about the days we have left when I we could be focused on fucking each other as many times as possible.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, but also, there’s no need to throw in the towel halfway through the game.”
“Kyle, there’s only six weeks left.”
“Plenty of time.” He kissed my lips again. “Where were you headed after you made your dramatic speech and broke up with me?”
“I wasn’t aware that we were together.”
“Then you’re the last to know.” He smiled. “Where were you going?”
“Fuel and Fuddle.”
“Mind if I join you?”
I shook my head, feeling tears prick my eyes. “Not at all.”
He must’ve noticed because he stepped closer and wiped away the tears before they could fall. “We have to appreciate the present, Court. Trust me.”
Courtney: Now
Present Day
Boston, Massachusetts
My heart somersaulted in my chest as the elevator rose up the floors of Kyle’s million-dollar condo.
A part of me wanted to tell my boss to go fuck himself for making me come here, but another part—one I couldn’t explain, wanted to see Kyle in person again. To personally let him know that whether I still had feelings for him or not, the chances of us being friends again were slim to none.
The doors glided open once I reached his floor.
Kyle was already standing in the hallway, glaring at me.
I stepped off and glared right back.
For several moments, neither of us said a word. Neither of us made a move.
Out of nowhere, he strolled over to me and cupped his hand around my neck—pressing his lips against mine.
I wrapped my arms around him, and he pushed me against the wall.
His eyes locked on mine, and all of a sudden, it felt like we were in college again.
He slid his hands down to my waist and gripped my hips, gently lifting me and walking me inside his place. He carried me to the sofa and lay me back against the cushions.
Pulling his shirt over his head, he tossed it onto the floor.
He took his time unbuttoning my blouse—pressing a hot kiss against my skin in between each one.
His familiar touch immediately awakened my body—making me remember just how perfect we once were together.