Page 153 of Falling Offsides

“Maybe,” I sigh, getting out of the Uber when it stops outside the condo. “I don’t know. I’ve never had a relationship before.”

“Because you’ve never allowed any guy to get close to you. Which again, racks up points for The Puckinator.” There’s a beat of quiet as I allow her words to percolate. “Anyway, what are we reading next? I’m in the mood for smut.”

“We just finished almost four hundred pages of smut.”

“Listen, now that you’re getting your tonsils whacked from both ends, you’re not allowed to become a smut snob, okay? I need at least another almost four hundred pages to help me forget that I’m in fucking Greek God territory and my dildo is still the best and only I’ve had on this vacay.”

“I’m good with smut all day every day, you’re the plot police, not me.”

“Whatever,” Delilah gripes back. “Ah, also, I read this thing about how cum can alter your cooch PH levels, so make sure you cough and hose afterwards.”

“Seriously? That’s what you’re reading about on vacation? Vaginal PH levels?”

“Listen, you’re the one getting basted on the regular right now, asshole. Thank me!”

“Thank you…” I croon back, waving at Alfred when I walk past the front desk straight to the elevator. “But also, you need to go out and explore. Get out of the hotel and go do something that doesn’t involve baking in the sun all day, or bobbing on a yacht.”

I get in the instant the doors open, my pulse picking up when I press the button for mine and Auguste’s floor and I catch sight of Jayden’s jersey in the mirror.

This is why Auguste has been quiet all afternoon. Deathly silent.

Pissed.

Do I feel bad about it? Maybe a little.

Do I regret it? Not yet…

“I can’t leave my mom, Courtney,” Delilah says. “She’s still in a bad place after my uncle’s passing.”

“Dee, your dad is there now, let him take care of her while you do something for you. Take a moment to fill your cup. Okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Dee…”

“I hear you and I’ll try.”

“I love you,” I tell her because something in my chest tells me she needs to hear it. She needs someone to love on her in some way. “And I miss you.”

“Oh man…” Delilah sighs. “I’m glad he’s under your skin. That man is good for you. He’s got you showing affection and?—”

“I always show affection.”I think.

“No, you use your snark and your sass to be cutesy, but affectionate is not how I would describe you. It’s not a bad thing… I guess affection is something we mirror. It’s an emotion, not a feeling so it’s not a natural trait that self-nurtures.”

“But I’m a good friend, right? I’m a good person to you?”

“What? Of course. Dude, you’re my ride or die. You’re one of the kindest people I know and you’re loyal. But your mom isn’t a nurturer and Martin’s a ballbag… your dad?—”

“He’s affectionate, I think. Tactile.” I don’t know what else to say, but it felt wrong to let her say something bad about him when I know it’s the opposite.

The doors ping open and I’m hit with instant awareness.

I feel Auguste before I see him. Pulling my keys from my purse, I suck in a breath grounding myself.

Let’s be honest, I knew he would feel some kind of way about the jersey. And just like in the bathroom at the facility, a thrill flutters in my belly when I look up and find him standing at my door. Ram-rod straight. Jaw clenched tight. Eyes a monotone kind of raged. A green monster unhinged shade.

“Hey, Dee… I have to go, but I’ll call you later. Okay?”