Page 49 of Hooked On Him

When I turn my attention back to the table Levi’s at, I see him walking away. The asshole who was flirting with my boyfriend has his beady little eyes glued to Levi’s ass.

Fucker better be careful or he’s gonna have a couple of black eyes instead.

“Hey, boys. What are we talking about?” I ask, pulling up a seat at the table my teammates are at.

They all shout their greeting, but I get an amused look from Cole. “Thought you weren’t coming out tonight?”

I shrug, leaning back in my chair. “Changed my mind. I’m allowed to do that, you know.” I wink.

“You are.” He nods, taking a sip of his beer. “What were you doing over there?”

I freeze. “Over where?” I try to act like I don’t know what he’s talking about.

“The bulletin board. I didn’t know you were looking for a roommate.”

“Shut up,” I hiss, leaning in. “Shut. Up.”

He grins wide, looking around to make sure no one is listening before leaning in to whisper. “Fake dating my ass.”

I narrow my eyes. “Leave it,” I warn.

“Why don’t you just tell the guy how you feel?” he whispers.

“I don’t know what you mean.” I look away.

“You’re not fooling anyone, you know. I might be the only one to know this started off as a deal you two made, but I can tell it’s not fake.”

My eyes dart over to his. I want to ask him what he means. If Levi said anything to him. But there are too many people around. I don’t want to out myself about the deal Levi and I made and cause a scene.

“I’m just saying, man. Communication is key in any good relationship,” Cole says, leaning back.

“Communication?” Charlie chooses now to butt in. “Wanna tell that to Claire?” he grumbles.

“Trouble in paradise?" Cole asks. Charlie flips him off. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Like you’re not having relationship issues every other week.”

Cole doesn’t deny it, looking away when our server comes back with whatever the guys ordered.

For the rest of the night, my eyes stay on Levi. The table of guys keep ordering things, making Levi go over every few minutes.

At one point, the guy gives Levi a piece of paper, and it takes everything in my control not to storm over there and stake my claim by shoving the guy's number down his own throat.

The moment things are for real between us, I’m going to be that possessive caveman. I’m holding back as it is.

I just need Levi to fall deeply in love with me so I don’t scare him off when my inner thoughts become a reality.

Part of me is pissy we didn’t sit in his section, but this is our regular table, and Levi doesn’t serve often, only when he’s filling in for people.

He wasn’t even supposed to be working tonight, but I guess turning down extra shifts is gonna take baby steps. Still, I’m proud of him.

As I walk into my empty apartment, I look around and hope Levi sees the flyer and calls to take the room.

I know I could just offer it to him. But I don’t want to come on too strong. It’s one thing for me to offer fake dating and friends with benefits, but moving in might be too much.

I need him to make the choice himself.

Although if he chooses somewhere else to live, I might have to kidnap his ass and force him to take the room. Or better yet, share my bed.