Things Liars Say (#ThreeLittleLies #1)(16)

Shell shocked, I take it from her while she continues gushing.

“My gosh, Cal,” she breathes when she’s standing in front of me, her hands reaching up to hover over my hardened pecs like she’s about to run them up-and-down my broad chest.

I hold my breath, but she drops them back to her side.

But then…

“You are amazing! You look so incredible out there, Cal. I swear, I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” Moving in closer, she actually goes up on her tiptoes and plants a kiss on my sweat-drenched cheek. As if she couldn’t stop herself.

I watch, transfixed, when Grey licks her lips instead of wiping the sweat on her mouth off with her hand. “Wow, you smell good. Like a man.”

Jesus H Christ.

“Um, hi?” I manage, fighting the urge to blurt out, What the hell are you doing here?

“Surprise!” Grey giggles, a delighted little twinkle that tinges the apples of her cheeks a pretty pink color. “I couldn’t stay away. The temptation to show up unexpectedly was impossible to resist.” She gives me a wink and shoves my bicep, her fingers sinking into my skin and lingering far too long to be accidental.

She prattles on. “Well, I mean I could have stayed away—but I didn’t want to.”

Down in my spandex rugby pants is the telltale twitching of an impending hard-on.

Fuck.

“Grey, uh…” I tip my head to our audience. My teammates are huddled on the far side of the field, avidly watching with interest, while her sorority sisters do the same from up in the bleachers.

She glances back over her shoulder and shrugs without a care. “My friends wanted to come down here, but of course I wouldn’t let them. You’re safe from the inquisition, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Grey runs a hand through her highlighted wavy hair and gives it a shake.

It settles on her shoulder like a silky cloud, shining under the stadium lights like a halo.

Mesmerized, I stare down into her large, laughing hazel eyes, darkened with black eyeliner and coated with a heavy layer of mascara. She’s wearing a simple white t-shirt, but it’s tight, and my eyes are drawn to the smooth bronze skin in the deep V neck.

Her brown eyebrows are raised at me expectantly.

Oh shit. She wants me to say something.

“Hmm.” Her hands settle on her narrow hips. “You were much chattier when you came to my house. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just—you want the truth?”

“No, I want you to lie.” Grey rolls those brilliant eyes with a smile. “Yes, of course I want the truth.”

“I’m shocked to see you. It’s one thing for me to ambush you, but another for you to ambush me.”

“Well, if it makes you feel better, we can’t stay long. I have to get that crew of misfit toys behind me back to campus. A few of them are running a 5k tomorrow, and they want to stuff themselves with pasta.” She rolls her eyes again. “They think they’re pro athletes now and want to carb load. By the way, this is one of those 5ks where you wear a fluffy tutu and get pelted with color bombs, so…”

Again with the raised eyebrow.

I can’t stand it. “I know I’m being f*cking awkward, okay? Just say it.”

“You’re a little awkward.” She crosses her arms and taps her foot. “But I find you very charming.”

“Stop looking at me like that,” I mumble.

“How am I looking at you? I’m not doing anything.” Greyson laughs. “I’m standing here talking.”

She playfully gives my tricep another tap, the contact from her feather-light touch giving me goosebumps and a goddamn boner.

The tightening in my shorts has my jaw clenching and my nostrils flare. “Stop flirting.”

“Why?”

Fuck it. “Because it’s making me hard.”

Instead of being offended by the lewd comment, Greys hazel eyes leisurely skim down my body to my spandex shorts, alive with interest. The air between us crackles and sizzles.

“Spoilsport,” she whispers, the disappointment in her voice palpable.

At that moment, I’m certain of one thing: this girl is going to be the death of me.

She tips her chin thoughtfully at me when I frown. “Okay, okay. I’ll leave. Tell Mason and Aaron your stalker says hi.”

“You heard that?”

“Um, yeah—they were practically shouting.”

“Sorry.”

“Do I look like I care?” She flips her hair and shoots a flirty smile over to my group of teammates, wiggling her fingers in their direction. They stare back at the pretty girl, transfixed, before several meaty arms enthusiastically wave back. “Could they be any more obvious?” Greyson’s laugh fills the night air. “They’re nosier than a group of sorority girls. Look at them pretending to be busy instead of heading into the building.”

“They’re just staring because you’re kind of nice looking.” I sound disgruntled.

“Nice looking?” Grey laughs again and reaches up to touch my jaw, running a thumb along my busted up lip. “Aww, see? You can be sweet.”

“Yeah, whatever.” A smile curls my lips.

“Alright, well. I’m going to go now.” She lets out a little puff of air and closes the space between us. “Can you do me a small favor, since my friends are watching?”