Actually, it meant everything.
Know what another turn-on was?
The way she blurted out her feelings without there being any coy games. She just put it all out there.
All it takes is the memory of her saying she wants me to be her first for my cock to rise to attention.
For the record, that happening in the locker room after practice is no bueno.
I squeeze my eyes tight and try to think about anything but the dark-haired girl. The very same one who’s had a starring role in my dreams for too many years to count. This was so much easier when she had no clue that I wanted her. Now she understands the depth of my needs, she’s using that knowledge to steadily chip away at all of my defenses.
My eyes pop wide when a heavy hand lands on my shoulder.
Crosby’s brows pinch together. “What the fuck is going on with you lately, dude? You’re just standing here in the middle of the locker room, spacing out.”
“Nothing,” I mumble as heat rushes in to fill my cheeks. This is exactly what that girl does to me, and it’s becoming a problem. Asher has already figured out my dirty little secret. I don’t need anyone else seeing through my lies.
“You sure about that?” He tilts his head as if to study me more closely. “You’ve been acting weird lately.”
I roll my shoulders and scoff, hoping to brush off this whole line of questioning. “What are you talking about? I’ve totally been myself.”
His eyes narrow. “Uh-huh.”
Nerves jangle in the pit of my gut as I strip off my sweat-soaked pants and toss them into the laundry bin, only wanting to hit the shower and get the hell out of here.
“I’ve been working on a theory,” Crosby says conversationally, knocking me out of my thoughts just as they circle back to Elle. “Wanna hear it?”
“Sure, I’m all ears.” Actually, I don’t have the slightest interest in what he has to say. But I’ve known the guy long enough to realize that the best way to get him off my ass is to let him get it out of his system. If I protest too much or try to shut him down, he’ll dig in deeper.
I hook my fingers into my boxers, ready to yank them down my thighs when he says, “I think you’ve got a thing for little Kendricks.”
My fingers curl, biting into the elastic band as my mouth turns bone dry. “What?” It takes effort to keep my voice level as I glance around to make sure no one is paying attention to our conversation.
Especially Brayden.
Luckily, he’s busy yapping with Rowan about one of the plays they were running on the field during practice.
When I finally shift my narrowed gaze to Crosby, his lips are curved into a satisfied smirk that scares the hell out of me. “Oh, you heard me the first time, Roberts.”
This is un-fucking-believable.
First Asher and now Crosby. And here I’d assumed I was doing a decent job of hiding my feelings. Apparently not. It would seem like everyone and their damn mother knows.
His smile widens as I take a menacing step toward him. “So, I’m right, huh?”
“That’s not a topic I’m going to discuss with you.” I can’t help but look around for a second time. The last thing I need is any of these assholes sticking their nose into my business. Crosby will be a fucking handful as it is.
“Why not?” His brows rise as he cocks his head. “Maybe we should ask Bray what he thinks of his friend having the hots for his little sis. I’m sure that would go over like a lead balloon. Can I watch him beat your ass to a bloody pulp?”
When I bare my teeth and knock into his chest, he straightens to his full height. Crosby and I have become pretty tight over the years, but that won’t stop him from giving me shit if he unearths a juicy secret.
“Shut the fuck up,” I growl.
Brayden steps between us, shoving me back a step as his surprised gaze bounces back and forth. “What the hell is going on over here?”
The smirk never falters from Crosby’s lips. It’s tempting to punch the expression right off his face. He has that effect on people. Most of the ladies on campus being the exception to that rule.
When I remain silent, Crosby says, “Nothing. I’m just giving Roberts a little shit.”
Brayden rolls his eyes. “Oh yeah, what about?”
“Nothing,” I mutter.
Certainly nothing I’m going to tell you about.
When Crosby clears his throat in an attempt to cover his laugh, I gnash my teeth together as my hands tighten at my sides.
“Dude,” Brayden says, “you need to chill. You get laid lately? It might take the edge off.”
“Yeah,” Crosby snickers, wrapping a thin, white towel around his waist. “That’s exactly what our man needs.” A wicked gleam enters his eyes. “Isn’t that right?”