13. Alexis
Chapter 13
Alexis
The arena was cold and loud, making it impossible to fall asleep right away despite my exhaustion. To help wind down, I press play on one of my favorite shows and put on a face mask while I wait for my tea. Lottie, my best friend aside from Alissa, isn’t picking up her phone. Which sucks, as I haven’t talked to her in a few weeks due to our conflicting schedules. I just text her to call me when she can.
A click, a flash, and the bubbling noise stops. Embers dance over the counter top, jumping from the electric kettle. I rush to pull the plug from the socket, but most of the damage has already been done. Shit. That’s on me for buying a cheap one, I guess, but even the cheap one I could barely afford; I definitely can’t replace it right now. Guess there will be no cherry tea in my future.
I’m halfway through an episode of Reign when my phone dings twice. I wave it off, figuring it’s spam, but when I unlock my phone to check the time a very shirtless Blake fills my screen.
I bite my lip as I stare at it, taking in all that muscle and bulging veins, right down to the very sculpted V line way down lo—wait, is he even wearing pants?
Blake
Proof I’m unharmed.
Unharmed? You’re covered in bruises!
Semantics.
Btw you should set that picture as your lock screen.
You know, for the contest.
Yeah, right. You just want me to stare at your abs all day, don’t you?
I did get them just for you.
Might be nice to appreciate them every once in a while, Sunshine.
Why don’t you come over here and make me?
Say the word and I’ll come running.
My gaze drifts back to his photo and I curse him under my breath as I feel the warmth rush through my lower belly. Blake Taylor knows exactly how to get me riled up, that’s for sure. I bet he wants me to touch myself to his image, imagine him here with me until I can’t help but call him to join me.
Two can play that game, though. If he gets off on the thought of me all hot and bothered, I’ll kill his boner.
Alexis sent a limited-viewing photo
I hope you like pink, sparkly face masks, Taylor.
Blake took a screenshot.
Thanks for the new lock screen, Sunshine. You look adorable3
WAIT NO
DON’T
DELETE THAT
Come over and make me.
You’d like that, wouldn’t you?
You have no idea.
You’re killing me here, Alexis.
Then perish ;)
Goodnight, Blakey-bear
Sweet dreams, Sunshine.
I throw my phone on the textbook at the foot of the bed before screaming into my pillow. This was supposed to be easy. A simple ruse to get me some money and make him captain. All this teasing, the way he turns me on…none of it is part of the deal.
He’s my brother’s friend, a great hockey player. He should be staying as far away from me as possible, with a cheerleader or two hanging off those muscled biceps. What’s he doing talking to me this way, like I’m worth his time?
Snatching my phone from where it lays on the textbook I burrow into the covers, staring at his last text. Three little words, completely innocent and void of substantial weight, yet they light my body aflame in a cozy warmth.
Blake isn’t mine. I know that. But as I slip away into sleep, I still imagine him next to me, those strong arms protecting me against the night. And I feel less alone.