Page 48 of Please Don’t Go (The Midnight Strike #1)

If we have time, we’ll watch the games because he’s wickedly good. And on occasion the Live’s. Though after a while, I stop because the girls are insane and the comments get explicitly thirsty.

“Fuck if I know. I’m sure it’s a lot.” Gray tsks, his expression not of awe like Kai’s but indifference.

I’d be indifferent too if I had the kind of money that would financially set me for life.

The kind of money that would set the next six or seven or hell maybe ten generations of my family for life.

Not only because his father is the governor of North Carolina and mom is apparently one of the best attorneys there is, but his family comes from old money.

Angel looked him up after we found out he’d been recruited to play here.

Then he showed up in an expensive-ass car—which he upgraded to a motorcycle because the car wasn’t to his liking—but it wasn’t just that or his clothes and shoes that had us doing a double take, but the way he carries himself.

With an edge of crisp arrogance that makes you feel like you don’t belong near his vicinity.

It was hard getting a read on him at first. At times he’s dry, blunt, and conceited, but eventually he warmed his way into our hearts.

“You should go for it. Look at his friend. He doesn’t speak and hardly does anything, yet look at the comments on the Live.” Angel’s chuckle gets muffled by the bite he takes of his burger. “Fucking horny jersey chasers.”

“It’s the accent and he’s…got nice hair or whatever,” Gray mutters bitterly.

“Yeah, I gotta admit he’s got nice-looking hair,” Kai retorts. “But you’ve got a cute Southern accent and all.”

I press my lips together. I can’t with them.

“The girls aren’t going crazy for it like they are for his,” he quips.

“Where’s he from?” I ask.

“Apparently, Montana,” answers Kai.

“There’s no way. He’s got a British accent and it’s a deep one too. All posh like and shit.” Gray stuffs his mouth with chips and speaks with a mouthful. “And don’t get me started on how tall that motherfucker is.”

“How tall?” I ask, amused.

“Six nine.”

We all stare, astonished at his response.

“He’s a basketball player,” I say after a moment. “They’re all tall.”

We’re all over six feet, with Angel being the tallest at six six, but I’ve seen some of the basketball players on campus. Despite our heights, most still tower over us; it’s kind of insane.

“His girlfriend is hot as fuck,” Gray says after he swallows.

“Do you know everything about this man? You sound obsessed.” Kai laughs. “But who’s his girlfriend?”

“Shut up. We’ve literally sat next to each other while we’ve watched NCU play.” He swipes his fingers on the screen of his phone then places it in front of Kai. “Julianna Sparks.”

Kai’s eyes go wide and he picks up the phone, bringing it closer to his face. “This is his girlfriend?”

“I know,” Gray softly groans. “Fucking gorgeous.”

“Look at her—” Kai goes to place the phone in front of my face, but I push his hand away.

“I’m not going to check out another guy’s girlfriend.” Or any girl for the matter. Not when Josie’s running circles in my head.

“Right, because why should you when you live with someone just as hot. If my roommate looked like Josie, I would?—”

“Don’t finish that.” I cut him off. I try to keep my voice light, but something nasty sparks inside of me. “Just fucking don’t.”

Kai raises his hands in surrender. “Speaking of your roommate,” he murmurs and nods his head in the direction of the glass sliding door.

Josie comes out, body glistening with sweat, wisps of her hair stick to her forehead, her ponytail loose and low.

I drag my tongue across the top of my teeth, inhale a shallow breath, and unintentionally my gaze gravitates to the lounge chair. Since she came on my mouth and fingers, I’ve been spiraling with fantasies I’m not proud of.

She tastes so good, feels so right, and…I’m zoning out.

“Hey,” she says and stands next to me, but she doesn’t pull up a chair.

They all greet her, smiles wide on their faces.

“Sit.” I stand and pull it back for her.

I told the guys to leave it empty because she was going to come eat with us.

I wasn’t sure if she’d actually show up though because she said she’d think about it.

She also said she wasn’t a big fan of burgers, but I found out she likes chicken sandwiches and sourdough.

“I made you a chicken sandwich with pepperjack cheese and added tomatoes and grilled onions.”

Opening the container that’s keeping her sandwich warm, I place it on a plate in front of her.

She takes a seat, and it’s small but she smiles up at me. “You remembered how I like my sandwich?”

I remember everything about you . “Yeah, and oh…” I open the cooler next to me and pull out a can of Dr. Pepper. “Here.”

I think her cheeks burn red but I’m not sure, because her face was already flushed from her run. “Thanks, Garcia.”

I take my seat next to her, keeping my gaze on my food now. She’s wearing a sports bra and tiny spandex shorts that cling to her in an unholy way.

“So, Josie,” Gray starts. “You looking for a new roommate?”

“If you are, don’t pick him. Pick me. Choose me,” Kai pleads.

“Whatever you do, don’t pick either. They’re dirty as fuck, loud, annoying, and well…annoying.” Angel grimaces, shaking his head.

“Thanks for the heads-up, but I have no desire to live with either of you,” she replies, and I smile.

“You know, I have money.” Gray flashes her one of those charming, Cheshire-like smiles.

“Congrats. I do too.”

His lips instantly fall. “Flirt with me a little, Josie. You’re breaking my heart.”

“Is he always like this?” she asks at no one in particular, but she does look at me, unaffected by his charm.

“Ignore him.” Angel smiles with glee and laughs a little too.

Gray looks offended and gets into it with Kai and Angel.

“How was your run? You going to let me join you next time?” I ask her.

“Not sure you’re going to want to do that. I’m fast and I’d hate to?—”

“Also, why didn’t you answer my email?” Gray interjects. “I wanted swimming lessons too.”

She huffs out a breath. “Because I didn’t want to.”

The guys laugh and I, well, I can’t help but fall deeper.

I’m not what she needs.

She crosses her leg over the other and her foot accidentally grazes my calf. She goes to move it, but I place my palm on her knee and keep it where it’s at.

We look at each other briefly, discreetly, and that same igniting feeling I felt when we kissed on the couch, burns bright.

I’m not what she needs.

She doesn’t move her leg or brush my hand away. Only picks up her sandwich.

I know I should move it, but I don’t. Not when she’s halfway through eating.

Not when we’re deep in conversation about random things.

Not when the guys ask her questions about stupid shit.

She doesn’t mind it though; she may look blasé about it, but she’s enjoying this.

I can tell the way her eyes just shine and radiate happiness, and knowing she’s happy makes me happy.

I’m not what she needs.

“The log scene didn’t do it for you, but the pool scene did?” Kai looks mortified, mouth agape.

We just finished telling them that we watched all the Final Destination movies and now they’re all talking about the worst deaths that happened in them.

“I work in a pool.” Josie scrunches her nose. “That was more traumatic than the logs.”

“Okay, that’s fair…”

More mindless conversation and my palm now rests on her thigh.

I’m not what she needs, but she’s who I want.