Page 11

ELEVEN

BECCA

Hours later and I can’t stop thinking about that kiss. I’m usually not a fan of lip-to-lip action. It’s too personal, and my momentary lapse of judgment with Eli has reminded me of all the reasons I avoid it in the first place. I’m afraid the feel of his lips will be burned into mine for the rest of eternity.

But I’ll try like hell to erase it.

I grab my phone and shoot a text to Jeremy.

Me:

Please, please say you’ll drop whatever you’re doing this weekend and help me find a hookup. I am in desperate need of a good fuck.

Jeremy:

God, your lines are corny as hell.

Me:

Is that a yes?

Jeremy:

What’s in it for me?

I roll my eyes.

Me:

Are you seriously holding our friendship hostage right now? What kind of a jerk does that?!

Jeremy:

It’s a simple question.

Me:

What do you want?

His response is immediate.

Jeremy:

Introduce me to Elliot Carson personally…before the season starts. And maybe get him to sign something, but don’t tell him it’s for me.

My stomach jumps to my throat when I read Eli’s name. I slam myself back on my bed, groaning.

Me:

Fine.

As if the world isn’t torturing me enough, the phone rings in my hand. Lee’s name mocks me from the screen.

“Hey, girl.” I sit up as I answer.

“Hiya, stranger. How’s life in Florida?”

I swallow. I doubt you wanna know. “Huh? Oh…things are fine here. Great. How’s everything with you? Jax still actin’ like a lost puppy lappin’ up your scraps?”

She laughs. “Jax is not a lost puppy, Becca. And he’s just fine. I was with him last night until he went home with Suzy Abbott, of all people. Can you believe that? I swear, I hate her.”

“You could always just let Jax take you home, which we both know is what he really wants. Then you wouldn’t need to worry about girls like Suzy Abbott.”

Lee sighs. “You know I can’t do that.”

“And why the hell not? That boy would worship you like a goddess.”

“It would complicate things.”

“Nothin’ complicated about it, sister. Strip him down and let those mechanic’s hands go to work on that sweet little body of yours.”

“Jax is my friend , Becca.”

That’s the understatement of the century. Jax is a fool for her, and he always has been, even back when she belonged to his best friend. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for a chance to be with her, and she knows it.

I nod even though she can’t see. “Just think of how friendly he’d be with your vagina.”

She snorts. “You are so dang crass.”

“So you always tell me.” I smile.

“You seen any more of Eli down there at that fancy school?”

My stomach rolls with her question, but my veins heat. A flash of our earlier kiss blinds me, infusing my cheeks with the flush of my guilt. “Nope. Not really. Why would I have seen him?”

I smack my forehead, squeezing my eyes. Idiot.

She blows out a breath. “I guess you wouldn’t have. But I won’t lie, the thought of you givin’ him a good tongue lashin’ is mighty appealin’.”

I choke on my inhale, eyes watering as I try to stop the burning cough.

“You all right?”

“Yeah,” I rasp. I clear my throat, my hand rubbing my chest. “I’m fine.”

“Hey, maybe you can do me a favor, though? Hunt him down and convince him to come home with you for Christmas?”

“Ugh. Lee, my folks are bein’ assholes. I don’t know if I’m even comin’ home for the holidays.”

“What? What are they doin’ now?”

I sigh, not wanting to think about yet another thing that’s spiraled out of my control. Plus, if I go into it, then I’ll have to tell her about my new job, and I just told her I hadn’t seen Eli. Why did I do that? My stomach sinks when I realize that I just walked myself into an extremely shitty situation, one where I can’t tell my best friend the truth about my life, all because my mouth spoke before my brain could catch up. But if I go back on it now, she’ll wonder why I lied.

Lee hates liars. And she probably hates people who make out with her no-show brother, too.

“Just the usual stuff. Wantin’ me to chain myself down to the church and pop out a hundred kids.”

She chuckles. “One day they’ll realize you’re a wild horse that can’t be tamed.”

I grin. “That’s right, girlfriend. You’re the only one who gets me.”

“Well, I don’t get why you won’t just come home. Your folks are nothin’ new. We miss you around here.”

I laugh. “Lee, you’re the only one who misses me, and as much as you know me, this is one thing you just won’t understand. Sugarlake runs through your veins deep. You’re meant for that life. I’m not. Every second there feels like torture.”

She doesn’t press further, and I don’t try to explain. This is something I know she’ll never get.

I’m suddenly hit with the urge to talk to Eli…because he would.

* * *

My stomach is in my throat as I make my way to the basketball court. I had one blessed day off from having to meet with Eli, and I spent the entire time dreading having to face him again. Then I realized that I’m Becca goddamn Sanger. I do not cower in the face of a man. They kneel at my feet, not the other way around. Besides, it’s not like I want anything to happen even if it could. He’s an ocean of complication I am not interested in dipping into.

I told Jeremy to meet me here this morning so I could introduce them, even though I’d rather not. I’d say screw it and invite Sabrina this weekend instead, but she’ll scare off all my potential one-night stands when she asks their name, followed closely by whether they’re a feminist.

When I walk into the arena, I drop my bag in the stands, slinking down beside it. It hasn’t been three minutes when Eli strolls in.

“Hey.” I wave, jumping down from the bleachers and making my way to the court floor.

He tips his chin in greeting and turns, walking toward the cart of balls against the far wall.

Well, all right then.

I follow him, my hands running through my hair. I’m halfway across the court when arms come around my waist, picking me up and swinging me around. I scream from the ambush, blood rushing to my head as I’m flipped over Jeremy’s shoulder. Ass.

“Put me down, you giant oaf!” I beat my fists on his lower back.

He lets out a boisterous laugh and smacks my ass. “Say please.”

“Fuck you.”

Jeremy tsks. “You kiss your momma with that mouth?”

“Jeremy, I swear to God if you don’t put me down?—”

“All right, all right. Calm your tits.”

He gently slides me down his front. I reach out and grab his nipple through his shirt, twisting.

“Ow, fuck , Becca.” He smacks me away.

I smile. “That’s what you get.”

A throat clears, making us turn toward the sound. Eli is glaring, his arms crossed over his chest. What the hell is his problem?

An elbow in my side snaps me out of my daze.

“Right. Sorry.” I nod. “Eli, this is Jeremy. Jeremy, Eli.” I wave my hand between them.

Eli’s brow lifts, his eyes lasering into Jeremy.

Jeremy rushes forward, hand outstretched. “I know who you are, of course. Huge fan. I watched all of your games.”

Eli’s jaw tics, scowl firmly in place. “Fan of basketball, then?”

I laugh. “He’s more than a fan. He’s one of your players.”

Eli stands straighter, pointing to his chest. “My player? What position?”

Jeremy beams. “Point guard. I hope I do you proud.”

“Little tall for a point guard.” Eli rubs his chin. “I think I do remember your face from the roster.”

My heart skips when Eli’s eyes meet mine.

“How do you two know each other?”

Jeremy reaches behind himself and interlocks our fingers, pulling me into his side. Eli’s stare snaps to our hands, his eyes glinting.

“Becca’s been the other half of me since freshman year,” Jeremy says.

I grin up at him because it’s true. He’s the only person besides Lee who’s burrowed his way into my soul, stealing a little piece for himself.

Eli’s shoulders stiffen. “I see. Well, hopefully, she won’t be a distraction. I’d hate to have to remove her because you two can’t keep your hands in check.”

My grin drops, my veins bubbling with anger. Did he just threaten my job?

Rich, considering he’s the one who had his tongue down my throat.

I thought maybe that meant we’d moved forward. That the days of Eli being a complete prick were behind us, but clearly I was wrong.

He’s still nothing but an asshole.