Chapter 12
I’m carrying the heavy box of training equipment down the hall, my arms burning from the weight.
As I pass the living room, the guys call out.
“Hey Dylan, you need a hand with that?” asks Jayden.
I stop, glaring at them. “No, I’ve got it,” I snap.
“You sure?” says Noah. “That looks pretty heavy.”
My grip tightens on the box. They’re only offering because I’m a woman. I don’t need their help.
I always feel so conflicted about this.
There’s something we’re taught as girls where a guy holding a door open for us is meant to be polite… and I don’t mind it from time to time.
But expecting a guy to carry every heavy fucking thing heavier than a purse? I work out hard, I’m strong. I don’t need a man for that.
For other things, perhaps. But not for this.
“I’m fine,” I say sharply. “I can carry a stupid box by myself.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, I realize I’m being a bit of a bitch.
“Whoa, calm down,” Jayden holds up his hands. “We were just trying to help.”
His words make me feel worse, because he’s right. They are just trying to help. It’s just the implied assumption that I can’t do it for myself that irks me.
“Yeah, don’t get your sports bra in a twist,” Noah jokes.
I scowl, stomping towards the kitchen.
Jerks.
I’ll show them I’m just as strong as they are.
My stubborn Taurus nature is coming out. The box digs into my arms, but I keep going, ignoring the pain.
I don’t need their help, even though they would probably have made this whole ordeal much easier.
I stomp into the kitchen, dropping the heavy box on the counter with a thud. As I straighten, rubbing my sore arms, laughter erupts from the living room.
What the hell? Are they laughing at me?
Fuming, I march back down the hall to confront them. Noah and Jayden are cracking up on the couch.
“What’s so funny?” I demand, crossing my arms.
“Um, Dylan...” Jayden grins, averting his eyes. “Your shirt.”
I glance down. To my horror, one of my nipples has slipped free of my tank top.
No wonder they were offering to help—the weight of the box must have tugged my shirt down.
My face burns crimson. How long has my nipple been exposed?
“Oh my god!” I gasp, quickly tucking my boob back into my tank top.
The guys erupt into laughter again.
Mortified, I whirl around, fleeing back to my room. I’ll never live this down. Stupid top.
I hear Noah call after me, “Hey, don’t be embarrassed! It’s nothing we haven’t seen before!”
I slam my door, throwing myself onto the bed. I can’t believe I flashed them. This is so humiliating. But at least now I know they were just trying to help, not patronize me. Still, I’m never leaving my room again.
I bury my face in my pillow, willing the mattress to swallow me whole. How can I ever look Noah and Jayden in the eye again after this nip slip fiasco?
Jonah saunters up to me and plops down by my armpit, purring loudly, as if he’s getting huge amusement from the situation as well.
A knock sounds at my door. “Dylan? Can I come in?” Noah calls out gently.
“No! Go away!” I yell, my voice muffled by the pillow.
The door creaks open anyway and I sense Noah standing over me.
“Hey, don’t beat yourself up over this,” he says. “It was an accident. Even the best of us have a nip slip from time to time.”
I narrow my eyes. “Like you’ve ever had a nip slip.”
“Dude,” he laughs. “One of my balls straight up slipped out of my pants in a scrum drill once.”
I can’t help but snort, and lift my head to glare at him. “That did not happen to you! And as for my ‘accident’, as you put it, you and Jayden both seemed to find it hilarious.”
Noah grins. “What can I say? You have nice nipples.”
I smack his arm, but can’t help cracking a smile. His teasing makes me feel a little better.
“There’s that pretty smile,” Noah says, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “It’s just us here, Dylan. No need to be embarrassed.”
I sigh, sitting up. “I know. I just hate feeling like the butt of some joke. And it really felt like you guys just didn’t think I could carry the equipment by myself, even though I’ve done it a million times before.”
Noah tilts my chin up to meet his gaze. “You’re not a joke to me. Never could see you like that, especially after watching you in those game recordings.” His voice is earnest now. “Nipple aside, we likely would have asked you if we could help anyway. Just like we would have asked any of the other guys, too!”
My heart flutters as his face inches closer to mine. When his lips meet mine, the lingering awkwardness melts away. Before I can think too much about it, I’m kissing him back.
Kissing roommates wasn’t on my agenda, but it sure as hell is fun, especially when they look like this.
Maybe this nip slip wasn’t such a disaster after all.