The Coaching Hours (How to Date a Douchebag #4)(44)

He winks.

I cannot stop laughing.

“You’re…I don’t even know what to say about you right now.”

“Trust me, many have come before you, tried, and failed.”

I don’t know why, but this makes me laugh even harder.





Gunderson has brought me to a biker bar.

Perfect.

Way to woo the ladies, Gunderson.

He’s disappeared into the crowd, presumably to schmooze and get us adult beverages, although now that I think about it, he never asked what I wanted.

What a gentleman.

I scan the crowd, bodies packed into the building far beyond capacity. Bright blue lights strobing, loud music vibrating the speakers.

“What’s the verdict?” a deep voice asks near my ear, warm breath brushing the outer shell and tickling my neck. It makes me shiver.

Has me swinging, nailing my roommate in the stomach with the back of my hand.

“Shit! Jeez, don’t sneak up on people, Elliot! And never do that at home—you’ll give me a heart attack.”

His presence gives my heart a kick, sending it into mild palpitations I’ve recently become familiar with.

“How can I sneak up on you in this place? It’s packed!” He has to dip his head so I can hear him, and I’m not exactly put off by his nearness.

Not in the least.

Because by leaps and bounds, Elliot St. Charles is growing on me. Gives me butterflies. Has me lying awake, staring at the ceiling, listening hard for the sounds of his— “Where’s your date?” he asks, emphasizing the last word with air quotes, a sardonic smirk spreading his lips. “I saw him scurry off like a little rat.”

“I had to run to the bathroom and he maybe ran to get us drinks, not a hundred percent sure.”

“You are not going to take a drink from him. No fucking way.”

I lean in to hear his reply. “What do you mean?”

“Hello—date rape drugs? I don’t know anything about that dude other than the fact that he’s a complete fuckwit, but I definitely wouldn’t take a drink from him.”

I slap a hand over my mouth, eyes wide. “Oh my God, you’re right! I never thought of that.”

“I’m not saying he’s going to, or that he’s the kind of guy who would. Just be careful.”

I rise on my tiptoes, planting a kiss on his warm cheek. My lips linger near his ear. “Thank you for caring enough to look out for me.”

When he laughs, I laugh, our eyes meeting under the dim blue lights of this sketchy bar.

“Are you having fun?”

“Rex Gunderson isn’t horrible, he’s just…” I purse my lips. “A smidge clueless.”

“Just a smidge?”

I raise my arm, extending my fingers. “Little bit crazy, lot bit na?ve—not a stellar combo.”

“Ya think?” he deadpans.

I glance around the perimeter. “Are you here with anyone?”

“Honestly? No. I tried enlisting my old roommates to join me on this recon mission, but they’re both presently occupied.”

“With what?”

Elliot is tall, so he has to lean down, upper torso dipping, leaning into me until I feel his heat in my personal space. “My old roommate Sebastian and his girlfriend went to visit his folks, and Zeke is, well…I think he’s planning some shit for his girlfriend. I don’t know, it sounds like he’s getting ready to propose.”

My brows go up. “Propose? Marriage?”

Elliot chuckles. I can’t hear it, but I can see the humor reflected in his eyes. “Yes, marriage. I mean, you have no idea how far this guy has come—he used to be a real piece of work.”

“I’ve seen him around—he still helps my dad out. Dad said he spends crazy amounts of time with his girlfriend. Violet is her name, right?”

“Violet, yeah.”

“How old are they?”

“Twenty-two, about to turn twenty-three.”

“Wow. They must really be in love.”

“Head over heels and all that.” Elliot’s gaze shifts, homing in on someone in the distance. “Shit, there’s your dipshit of a date. I’m going to catch up to him real quick before heading out.”

My eyes narrow suspiciously. “Be nice.”

“You want me to be nice? Why?”

“I don’t think he can help himself, Elliot. I’ve deduced he lacks the common sense gene.”

“No promises to be nice, but I’ll do my best.”

I pat him on the forearm. Squeeze. “I know you will.”

“But I’ll probably be a dick.”

“Elliot!”

“What?! I won’t be able to help it. I’m bored, let me have some fun.”

“You’re the worst.”

He boops me on the nose. “Stop. Flattery will get you everywhere.”





Elliot



“The two of you seem pretty chummy—what’s the deal?”

I sidle up to Rex Gunderson, the most popular unpopular guy on campus. He just walked out of the bathroom, still fussing with the hem of his shirt. Still zipping his fly.

Sees me.