Rush: The Season (Austin Arrows Book 1)(81)

“All right. I’ll call her, then I’ll drop you off.”

“Yeah!” I hop up and run upstairs to grab my stuff. I already packed my bag because my mom never says no when I want to go to Gabby’s. I double-check to make sure I put my laptop in the bag.

Yep. It’s there.

We really are working on a project. We’re trying to come up with a way to ensure my dad sees that Facebook post. We haven’t come up with anything yet, but surely there’s something we can do. It feels like I’ve been waiting forever.

I’m tired of waiting.





32

Kingston

I haven’t seen Ellie since last Saturday, after the hospital benefit when we… Yeah. Although our schedules didn’t mesh—our games were away—I spent far more time than is probably healthy thinking about that night in the limo.

In fact, I’m thinking about it now…

Fuck. I think it’s getting hot in here.

I really have to keep my head out of the gutter.

It would probably be a hell of a lot easier to do if I would act on some of these urges, rather than dancing around them the way I have been. However, I keep telling myself I have to take it slow with Ellie. I don’t want to rush her, don’t want to pressure her. More importantly, I don’t want to push her away. So I’ve managed to be a total gentleman—on too many nights as of late—which my balls aren’t too happy about.

Since we’re heading out on the road on Monday, the weekend will be my only opportunity to see her until Thanksgiving, and quite frankly, I can’t wait to be alone with her again.

“Mount Rushmore!” Noelle exclaims when I step up to the bar.

I smile at Ellie’s best friend, hugging her when she throws her arms around my neck.

“You’re not working tonight?” I ask. It’s rare not to see either of them working.

“A girl gets a night off every now and then.”

Funny how on her night off, Noelle still comes to work.

“Why didn’t you get here with the guys earlier?” she asks, sipping from the straw in her glass.

“I had a couple of errands to run.” I don’t bother telling Noelle that was only about an hour and a half ago. I don’t know how long she’s been sitting here or how many drinks she’s had, but I think it’s safe to say she has lost track of time.

“Please tell me Ellie took my advice and decided to challenge your kinky side.”

Someone should probably put a warning label on Noelle for her abrupt subject changes.

I pull back, staring down at the blonde who’s been practically glued to Ellie’s side ever since I met Ellie. “Challenge?”

Her smile is slow and mischievous. “She hasn’t shagged you again, has she?”

Laughing because I have no intention of answering that, I order a beer when Julie passes by. While I wait, I search behind the bar for Ellie, but she’s nowhere in sight.

“That girl, I tell you. I told her not everyone has to be looking to get married just because they want to have sex.”

Yep, I think Noelle’s had one too many drinks tonight. I’m not above taking advantage of the situation, though. Especially when a little encouragement will get Noelle to elaborate.

Obviously Ellie told Noelle at least part of what happened between us, but since Noelle hasn’t out and out said it, I’m attempting to be discreet when I say, “Why would Ellie think that?”

“Because she’s a hopeless romantic.” Noelle takes another sip, still grinning. “I told her, we’ve evolved. A woman is allowed to command a heart-stopping orgasm before she thinks about long term. Not Ellie. She seems to think sex requires commitment.”

I have to wonder if that’s because she got pregnant with Bianca at such a young age and has raised her by herself. It does explain why she doesn’t date much.

I thank Julie when she returns with my beer.

“Y’all are good for each other,” Noelle continues.

One thing about Noelle, it isn’t necessary to be able to carry a conversation with her. She manages that all on her own.

“She doesn’t want strings, you’ve never shown any interest in settling down, so why the hell not?”

I’m not sure whether that is a compliment or not.

I glance past Noelle, seeing Ellie talking to some guy at a far table. She’s smiling and laughing at something the guy said.

“If you’re waiting for her to make the next move, it won’t happen.”

I turn my attention back to Noelle, too curious not to question her. “What makes you think that?”

“It makes her vulnerable. She’s been there, done that. If you want another shot at shower sex, you’re gonna have to make the next move. And trust me, she won’t turn you down.”

I get the feeling Ellie hasn’t shared all the details of our time together with Noelle.

I think about how Ellie initiated our first date. Did she tell Noelle about that? But then I think about the night we watched TV at her place. I’m pretty sure she was thinking about jumping me, but oddly enough, she didn’t. I won’t lie, I was disappointed, but I honestly hadn’t gone to her house for sex, so I didn’t pursue it myself. Spending time with her had been on my agenda, and we somehow accomplished that.