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“Hey, babe.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, planted a hard kiss on his cheek, and then dropped my arms to my sides. “You played so well tonight.”

“I did.” He beamed at me. “You seem to be a good luck charm for me.”

“Myles, give yourself some credit.” Zoma squeezed his shoulder and then walked toward the hallway. “I’ll be studying in my room so you can have the house to yourselves.” He waved behind him.

“Here, let me help you with your bag.” I lifted the strap of the duffel off his shoulder and set it on the floor behind the couch. “Make yourself comfortable and I’ll get you some ice.” I strode to the freezer and grabbed an ice pack. “Are you bruised up much?”

He stared at me. “Sure, uh, let me put on my sweats, eh?” With a smirk, he left the room.

Was I being over the top? Probably. But I wouldn’t be here tomorrow night to give him the attention he deserved. Grabbing another Gatorade from the refrigerator and some paper towels, I brought everything to the couch and sat down, waiting for him.

After a few minutes, he strolled from the hallway, his ASU sweats hugging his body in all the right places. Raking his fingers through his bangs, he said, “This sure is a warm welcome.” He dropped in next to me. “How’d you like the game?”

“It was fun. Eli helped me understand what was a legal hit and what wasn’t.” I lifted the hem of his sweatshirt. “Jesus Christ.” A purplish bruise the size of a baseball marred his side. I’d only picked a spot and found the bruise. How many more bruises did he have?

“Yeah, I got hit by a puck between my pads. Hurt like a mother.” He chuckled. “Thanks.” He grabbed the ice pack, wrapped it in a paper towel, and held it to his side. “This is the worst of them.”

“I didn’t even see the puck hit you.” I opened his Gatorade and handed it to him. This was a different side to Myles. On the ice, the guy was tough as nails.

“Yeah, it was mid skate, so I barely had time to register it myself.” He took a few gulps of his drink.

“Won’t you be sore at the game tomorrow?” I winced. Of course he’d be. At least football players had a week to recover before the next game. But practices could suck pretty bad after a game…

“Yeah, but our trainer will take care of me.” He relaxed into the couch. “What were you and Zoma talking about?” he asked, arching a brow.

“Nothing.” My cheeks flamed. “Just roommate stuff.” I bit my upper lip and released it. I needed to change the subject, and fast. “So, I have to wake up around seven to meet with the team.”

“Okay.” He sipped his drink. “Does that mean you’re sleeping in your own room?” He peered at me.

“It doesn’t mean that.” I inched closer to him and draped an arm around the back of the couch, over his shoulders. We’d been sleeping together pretty much every night. “I’d probably get a better night’s sleep if you were in my bed with me.”

“Oh, really.” He gave me a coy grin.

“Uh-huh.” I leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss on his lips. “We can just lay there and cuddle.”

“Yeah, I’m beat and that sounds nice.” He removed the ice pack from his side and set it on the table. “In fact, I’m pretty tired after the game, so…“

“Let’s get you into bed.” Rising, I grabbed the ice pack. “You want to use this, or are you done with it?”

“I’m done with it.” He stood and stretched, his taut stomach muscles peeking out from under his sweatshirt.

My gaze ran along the thin line of hair leading into the band of his sweats, and my dick twitched.

Stand down . Myles was tired, and we’d already had the best sex ever this afternoon.

“Okay, I’ll meet you in your room.” I set the ice pack back in the freezer, readied for bed, and strolled into his room in only my briefs.

Resting on his side, he opened the covers for me. “Climb up in here.” The corner of his lips lifted.

I tucked myself into his side, the warmth from his body heating my skin as I rested my cheek on his chest. Tomorrow I’d be out of town. “I’ll keep in touch and let you know when we can have our phone sex.”

His chuckle rumbled in my ear. “Sounds good. But I have to admit, I’m a little scared about your plan.”

I lifted my head, my gaze meeting his. “Scared? It’s all good. It’s not like you can’t take the sleeve off you.” I raked my teeth over my lower lip and my dick plumped against his thigh. If we kept talking like this, we might not go to sleep.

“Yeah, but I won’t.” His grin turned wicked. “We should have a rule. Whoever has the toy can’t take it off.”

“That means you want to try it on me?” I lifted my brows. I’d only thought about using it on him. “Maybe I should have bought two of them.”

“Oh, can you imagine?” He pulled my head onto his chest and rested his chin in my hair. “You have to be up early, eh. No more talk.”

I nodded, snuggling into him and closing my eyes.

The next day, I’d sat with Eli on the flight into San Antonio and the bus ride into San Marcos.

I had a feeling JJ was avoiding me, but we were supposed to room together tonight.

Coach was mixing things up. After stepping off the bus and grabbing our bags, the team filtered into a nondescript hotel of four stories and painted in beige and white.

Modern dark woods furnished the lobby, and an interesting textured blue wall sat behind the check-in desk.

JJ glanced at me and looked away, frowning.

“This will be awkward as fuck.” I gave Eli a pointed look. JJ had been all professional at practice and our other games. It was like he didn’t want to be friends anymore.

“He’s still butthurt about Myles. He’ll get over it,” Eli said.

The team manager met Eli, and she handed out room cards to each of us.

“Maybe you should have a heart-to-heart with him.” Eli shrugged a shoulder. “Can’t hurt, you know?”

“Yeah.” I buried my teeth in my lower lip. I was not looking forward to this. But if JJ doesn’t want to spend much time in the room with me, I could have privacy for my conversation with Myles. “Let’s head to our rooms.” We were on the same floor, at least.

We piled into the elevator with other teammates.

JJ strode in last, holding the elevator door open for himself. He glanced at me, wrinkled his nose and dropped his gaze to the floor.

All the guys laughed and joked on the way to their rooms. When the door opened to the fourth floor, only me, Eli, and JJ remained. Maybe I could ask Eli to hang out in my room for a little?

“See you both later for the team dinner.” Eli saluted each of us and left.

“After you.” I held my arm out to JJ. Was he going to be a dick?

“Thanks.” Keeping his head down, he took long strides to the door, unlocked it and stepped inside. “Do you care which bed you sleep in?” He threw his duffel on the farthest bed.

“Uh, no.” Not now I don’t. Twisting my lips, I dropped my bag on the other bed, my pulse quickening. I should just come out with it. This shit between us would be terrible for the game. “JJ.” Twisting around, I faced him .

Huffing a sigh, he dropped onto the edge of his bed and combed his fingers through his brown, wavy hair. “You want to talk about Myles?” His gaze crept to mine.

“Yeah. Don’t you think we should?” I sat on my bed, mirroring him. “I love him, JJ.” Woah, where had that come from? With a grimace, I breathed in deeply.

Raising his brows, his jaw dropped. “You do?” He eyed me. “Does he love you back?”

“I-I don’t know. I haven’t told him yet.” I pursed my lips. Might be a good idea, Coop .

“You’re telling me, and you haven’t told him yet? Does anyone else know?” He stared at me.

“Eli knows. I told him at the hockey game last night.” My chest squeezed. I hadn’t even offered JJ a ticket, but then I knew he wouldn’t have taken it. “Listen…” I planted my elbows on my thighs. “I don’t fall in love. I’ve never fallen in love before.”

He sucked in a breath, his gaze searching the floor. “Okay. Why are you telling me this?” Grabbing the edge of the bed, he clenched his jaw.

“You still have feelings for him.” Fuck, how could it be? It had been almost two months since they’d been dating. I narrowed my gaze. “JJ, talk to me.”

“I don’t know. I liked him a lot.” He blew out a breath.

“Fuck, I’m being a baby.” His gaze snapped to mine.

“It’s not like I haven’t been with other guys since then.

” He tensed the edge of his mouth. “And I wasn’t in love with Myles.

” Peering at me, he said, “Maybe I’m just upset that I lost him to you. ”

“Oh.” I straightened my spine. What the fuck did that mean? “Why is that so bad?”

“It’s not bad. You’re a decent guy. I just…don’t enjoy losing.” He smirked, his gaze growing soft. “Especially to a tight end.”

“We’re on the same team, JJ.” I returned his smirk. So, it was his pride that was hurt. “If it makes you feel any better, freeing him was a good thing. We’re great together and?—”

“And you fell in love for the first time.” He sighed. “I’m sure he loves you back. I’ve seen how he looks at you.” A warm smile spread over his lips. “I’m happy for you, man.” Hopping off the bed, he patted my shoulder. “Now, I’m going to go grab some food. Want to go with me?”

“Uh no, I’m going to um, nap.” Or not. Maybe Myles was in a suitable spot for our sex call.