The Locker Room(66)

I flew back to Brentwood a couple days early. I told my parents it’s because my internship required my assistance before the student population came back, but when they both looked at each other with that knowing gleam in their eyes, I knew I was caught. I wanted to see my boyfriend, and I couldn’t wait any longer.

But since I’m flying out early, the dorms aren’t open, meaning Dottie got us a hotel room thanks to her dad. She was more than happy to help when I called her, and we flew back together as well, giving us some girl time.

“Are you finally going to do it?” Dottie asks, rubbing her hands together while sitting cross-legged on the king-sized bed we shared last night.

“No. I mean . . . I don’t think so, unless he cracks and breaks the bet.”

“Ugh.” She flops backward onto the plush, white pillows. “You and that stupid bet. Seriously, get over it.”

“It’s not just about the bet. It’s almost become the craziest form of foreplay. I’ve done things with Knox I’ve never done before. We’ve gotten each other off in ways I didn’t think were possible.”

“Like what?” Dottie asks, doubtful.

My face heats up thinking about the things we did over the phone, the things he said to me in his deep, low voice so his mom didn’t hear. Or what we did before we parted for Christmas break. God, just thinking about how he felt sliding up and down my clit has me shifting in place with a distant ache.

“Just . . . things.”

“Like . . . hand jobs? You’ve done that before.”

“I don’t want to get into detail, Dottie. It’s embarrassing to talk about.” I lean forward and reapply my lip gloss.

“Why, because you two have been at it like two horny teenagers scared to get pregnant?”

“Pretty much.” I pop my lips and then fluff my hair one more time. “Do you think he’ll be excited?”

“Uh, are you kidding me?” She motions to me. “I think the minute he sees you he’s going to come in his pants. Especially after the conversation I overheard last night. He has a dirty mouth.”

“I know.” I smile, feeling incredibly lucky. “Okay, I’m off.”

“And he has no idea you’re here?”

I secure my purse with a package of Oreos inside over my shoulder. “Nope, he thinks I’m still in California.”

“He is seriously going to lose it. I wish I was a fly on the wall when he sees you.”

“I’m glad you’re not, because you would probably see some naked body parts.” I blow her a kiss goodbye and then meet up with my Uber driver at the entrance of the hotel. I’m only a few blocks away but given the frigid temperatures, I wasn’t about to walk to the loft. Carson met up with me last night and gave me a key to the loft. The boys reported back to school a few days early, so they’re at batting practice right now, giving me the perfect opportunity to surprise him.

I check the time on my phone. I’ll have just enough time to get into his room and get ready before he shows up.

Carson has been sending me text updates, and they’re done with showers and on their way home with pizza.

I could eat some pizza right about now, after I maul my guy first.

In minutes, I’m dropped off at the loft and make my way to the third floor. The door sticks a little when I try to open it—it’s one of those giant slide doors—but I get myself in and go straight to the room with the yellow door.

For a second, I pause, a wave of anxiety hitting as memories of when I walked in on Neil with another girl. Him pounding into her from behind, on the bed we’d shared. My stomach churns and instead of pushing through the door, I lean my ear toward the wood, trying to listen in, see if I hear anything.

What am I doing?

To think of such a thing is shameful.

That was Neil. Bastard. This is Knox. Devoted. He’s different in every way possible. He’s attentive, caring, thoughtful, and committed. To me.

He would never cheat on me.

Taking a deep breath, I open his door and am immediately hit with a wave of comfort. Bed unmade, clothes on the floor, an empty cereal bowl on his desk, and his signature scent permeates the decent-sized room. I can’t hold back the smile on my lips. This is my man. God, I’ve missed him.

Because I’m a nice girlfriend, I toss his clothes in the hamper—why he couldn’t do that, I have no idea—I straighten out the sheets of his bed, and I carry the empty bowl to the kitchen sink just as I hear the voices of the guys coming up the stairs.

Eep!

I quickly make my way to his room, shut the door, and strip down to his fantasy.

Hair curled, check.

Topless, check.

Black G-string, check.

Package of Oreos . . . weirdly check.

Laughter approaches the door and I steel myself. Kneeling tall on his bed, I hold the Oreos in one hand and put the other hand on my hip while I stick out my chest.

I hope to God Knox is the only one who comes through that door.

“I’ll just throw my backpack in my room,” Knox says as he opens the door.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach, my nerves getting to me so much I almost feel like throwing up. That’s until I see him walk through the threshold of his room. Head tilted down at first, I get to take him in from his black sweatpants, to his tight-fitting long-sleeved shirt and backward baseball hat.