23. Sienna
CHAPTER 23
SIENNA
A phone is incessantly ringing, and I can’t figure out why. Squeezing my eyes shut with a moan, a slow smile forms on my face when I register the strong arm wrapped around my body. Zander’s hand is tucked under my right boob as he spoons me from behind.
We’re both naked, and I’m pretty sure this is what paradise feels like.
If paradise can be a feeling, which surely it is because I am reveling in it.
The phone starts up again, and I groan.
“Is that yours?” I mumble.
“Yeah, I’m trying to ignore it.” His lips brush the back of my neck and I burrow into him, smirking when his erection digs into my butt.
That might be a nice way to start the day.
Although, my body is kind of aching from all the lovemaking throughout the night, but it might be worth it. I’ll just ask him to be gentle, take it slow. Just a nice, easy ride into consciousness.
I’m seconds away from reaching behind me and making this happen when the phone starts ringing again .
“Shit!” Zander barks. “Leave us the fuck alone.” Throwing the covers back, he stalks over to his bag, grumbling about how he should have turned the damn thing off. “Noah, this better be good!” he growls… then jerks to a stop and goes deathly pale.
I bolt up, instantly worried… and rightfully so.
“Dad,” he chokes out. “What’s up? Why do you… why do you have Noah’s phone?”
“Because I’m standing in his bedroom looking for my son who is supposed to be here!” He yells the words so loud that even I can hear him.
I wince, sudden tears burning me eyes as I see my awesome plan going up in smoke.
Shit. Zander is going to get in so much trouble for this.
He plunks down onto the edge of the bed, and I scramble over to him, leaning my ear close to his face so I can hear what his dad is saying.
“Now, Noah won’t tell me where the hell you are. He doesn’t know, apparently .” The scorn in his father’s voice makes my insides shudder. I can only imagine what Noah is going through right now. The poor guy is probably standing there in boxer shorts—or whatever he wears to bed—and shuffling on his feet with an anxious frown. I can picture the scene so clearly. “You listen to me, son. You get your ass back here right now!”
“Dad, I?—”
“No! Zander, no! No excuses. I know you’re with that little girlfriend of yours. I know you spent the night together, and I’m not stupid. I know exactly what you got up to.”
My eyes are burning in earnest now, and I’m seconds away from crying.
Shit, shit, shit! This is so bad.
“Get back here, do you understand me? You pack your stuff, and you drive back to your mother’s house right now! We’ll be waiting for you there.”
“Dad… no.” Zander’s voice is trembling, and I really admire the way he’s trying to fight, but it’s so obviously a losing battle. “This is my birthday present, and we’re not due back until?—”
“I don’t give a fuck what this is!” his dad barks. “You shouldn’t be doing it. You’ve only just turned eighteen, and you’re too young. I don’t care what you think, but it’s the truth. You’re too young, Zander. And I won’t let you fuck up your future. Now, you get home right now. I’ve just had a very important phone call from Coach Jones at Kelsey U. We need to talk about this, because your future depends on it.”
“What do you mean?” Zander goes still, his eyes bulging.
“It means Brighton might not be your best option anymore.” His dad sighs. “I’m sorry, son.”
“What?”
“Just get home so we can talk about it, okay?” His dad’s voice is all soft now, like he’s sad or something.
I frown and try to catch Zander’s eye, but he won’t look at me. His gaze is trained on the floor, his breath on hold until he huffs out, “Dad, what’s going on?”
“Brighton might say they want you… but you’re not the only quarterback they’re interested in, and I don’t think you want to be riding the bench for an entire season. Now, get your ass home. This is important.” His dad’s tone sharpens to terse again, and I wince.
Fisting the sheet against my body, I watch Zander’s head bob up and down as he shifts toward his gear bag. “Yeah, I’m on my way.” His voice trembles as he starts shoving our stuff into the overnight bag.
Throwing my clothes onto the bed, he gets dressed, and my insides deflate. Looks like we’re going home early.
Oh please, you knew the second you heard his father’s voice.
Pulling my underwear on with a little pout, I try to think of something to ease this tension, but I’ve got nothing. Zander’s pale expression and wrinkled forehead are killing me. I want to wipe away that frown… but I can’t. Zander’s football dreams are not turning out the way he planned, and he’s so obviously gutted… and no doubt dreading the upcoming conversation with his father.
I want to save him from it. But I can’t.
So I quietly brush my teeth, comb my hair, and walk out to find Zander stripping the bed.
“Any instructions on how to leave the place?”
“Uh… yeah.” I blink, checking my phone and helping him leave the little cabin as instructed. I feel like crying as we lock the door and store the key again.
This is not how I wanted our overnighter to end.
I had hiking plans this morning. I’d bought special picnic treats. We were going to take the trail into the forest and perch on a rock, eating Pringles and staring out at the wintery landscape.
We weren’t supposed to leave here until two.
Glancing over my shoulder, I give the cabin a morose smile and wave goodbye before hopping into the passenger seat.
Zander’s already behind the wheel, looking anxious, checking his watch and tapping the steering wheel with his thumb.
As soon as I’m buckled up, he pulls away from the house, and I sit there quietly, listening to him tell me that everything’s going to be okay.
“Dad was only yelling because of this football thing. He gets really paranoid and anxious over this kind of stuff. He’s overreacting, as usual.” Zander rolls his eyes. “As soon as we get that all figured out, he won’t even care about our night away.” His smile is reassuring, which is why I can’t understand this unsettling maelstrom in my stomach. “I don’t know what the hell’s going on with Brighton, but I’m not going to be riding any benches. Dad and I will set up a meeting with the Brighton coach. It’s all gonna be okay. I can play better than some other quarterback.” He sounds like he’s trying to convince himself right now. “And I’ll impress everyone, and hell…” An awkward laugh punches out of him. “Maybe I can even go pro. How cool would that be?”
A smile spreads across his face, like he’s genuinely pumped by that idea, and I’m sitting here wondering what happened to all the talk of traveling the world together.
Was that all bullshit?
I want to call him on it, but he’s talking so fast, I can’t find a break in conversation.
“Brighton wants me, Sparky. This is all just a big misunderstanding.” He reaches for my hand, kissing my knuckles. “And then I’ll only be a half-hour drive away. I can see you on the weekends.”
When you don’t have games or practices.
“And maybe you can come out one night a week for dinner or something.”
When you’re not studying or going to college events that I’m not invited to.
I worry my lip, trying to keep all my concerns in check.
“It’s okay.” He raises his hand, kissing my knuckles. “I know my dad can be scary sometimes, but I’m not going to let him yell at you or make you feel bad, okay? You didn’t do anything wrong. Yesterday was seriously the best birthday I’ve ever had, and I’m gonna tell my father that.”
Forcing a smile, I bob my head and try not to think too far ahead.
All I can focus on is surviving the day and making sure my happy face is in full play, because Zander’s got enough on his plate without me being all emotional and needy.