Then there was sex.
My hand resting on my thigh beneath the water flexed against my skin at the memory. Despite the temperature of the bath, tiny goose bumps appeared on my arms and legs. Sliding deeper until the effervescent bubbles covered my shoulders, I inhaled the soothing scent, hoping it would have the correct effect on me, but it didn’t.
All I wanted was him. His hands. His mouth. His fingers. I wanted to feel that euphoric high that only he had given me. I’d heard stories from past roommates about using devices when their man wasn’t around, or if they were temporarily single. One of my suitemates, Carla, had insisted the investment would be worth it, but I didn’t want something battery operated. Now I wish I had listened to her, because my body felt uneasy. It throbbed in places I knew only he could satiate. Except he wasn’t here.
Opening my eyes, I reached for my wine and drained most of the glass before returning my hand to my leg. Easing toward the spot that ached for him, I let out a breath just as I heard my phone ding, pulling me out of my Collin-induced haze.
Sloshing water out of the tub, I cursed that I’d left my cell charging on my nightstand. Not wanting to slip and reinjure my ankle, I slowly stepped onto the tiled floor. Now wrapped in my robe, I went into my room and snatched my phone, only to see that I’d missed a call from Collin five minutes ago, but that a text waited for me.
Collin:Hi. I’m at McNulty’s and thought I’d try to catch you before my phone died. I forgot to charge it.
Collin:You must be sleeping. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
I swiped at the screen and tapped on his name, only for the phone to go directly to his voice mail. A tear slipped from my eye. Not wanting to sound choked up on a voice mail, I hung up and sent a text.
Sorry I missed you. I was in the tub. I tried calling but your phone must have died. I hope you’re having fun.
Fun at McNulty’s. Truth was, I hoped he wasn’t having fun. Women were brazen when I was there; now that I wasn’t I was sure they were elated.
Rather than worry about things I couldn’t control, I dried off, pulled back the duvet, slid beneath the sheet, and closed my eyes.
Tomorrow was another day, but with each day that passed, they all seemed to be the same. It had been over a week, and we still couldn’t get it together. When I could talk to him, he was either sleeping or at practice. When he could talk to me, I was either sleeping or at work. It was a horrible cycle that I didn’t know how to break. Working at the hospital and studying exhausted me. I was fortunate if I stayed awake past 8:00 p.m. Then I’d be up and at the hospital at 7:00 a.m.
It made me wonder if that was the way long-distance relationships always worked.
Chapter 29
Collin
Charlie:Sorry I missed you. I was in the tub. I tried calling but your phone must have died. I hope you’re having fun.
Fun.That would be the last word I’d use to describe last night. In the past, McNulty’s was my place to unwind, find a hookup, or just chill out with the guys. Mack talked me into going last night. He still lived by the mottoflings not rings.According to him, he’d seen it too many times—guys fall for the girl only for them to break up, and then they’d be miserable. Something told me there was more to his philosophy, but I wasn’t in the mood to hear it.
Nor was I in the mood for all the female attention we were getting. Yes, he enjoyed it, of course, but just because Charlie was gone didn’t mean she wasgone.The woman consumed my life. I could still smell wildflowers and lavender. So when another female sidled up to me, or like at McNulty’s, propositioned me, no way in hell would I say yes.
“Round fifty-two. Round fifty-two. Hut… hut!”
My feet carried me down the field, turning to my right to run the post route Anton had just called. When the ball sailed behind me, I threw my hands in the air. Lucas, who’d been covering me, caught the ball. Thank God this was just practice, or the defense could have scored a touchdown.
Fourth down. I forcibly unsnapped my chin strap, took my helmet off, and headed to the sideline. Lucas tossed the ball to Coach, and Anton got into my face. “It was a post left. You ran the wrong route. Get your head in the game, man.”
He walked over to the cooler, leaving me standing next to Lucas. When I looked at him, he nodded. “Hate to tell you this, buddy, but he’s right. You ran the wrong route.”
Frustrated, I ran my fingers through my sweaty hair.
“Still haven’t talked to her?” he asked.
“No. But don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine for Sunday’s game.”
“I know. Do you want to come over tonight? Harley wanted me to invite you. She’s making her famous meat loaf.”
“As great as that sounds, I think I’m going to go home. I appreciate the offer, though.” I loved Harley, but her meat loaf wasn’t her strong point. Lucas’s lips twisted into a scowl, and I chuckled.
Thirty minutes later, I was sitting on my couch, eating a sandwich and watching the sports network. After the basketball highlights from last night’s games ended, football was the main topic. There was talk about which teams were favored in the playoffs and which weren’t. Thankfully, the Thunder wasn’t the underdog this year. Although that wasn’t always a bad thing. I’d rather be underestimated and kick ass than overestimated and getting my ass kicked.
My phone vibrated in my sweats. Pulling it out, I saw my sister’s picture. “Hey, Sal.”
“Hi, Coll.” She giggled. “How’s my big brother?”