Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
DEREK
Rosie’s taste lingered on me for days. I knew there was no other opportunity like this for a long time as our schedule grew more hectic and the secret grew bigger.
Halloween was fast approaching, and everyone was talking about parties and costumes, while we still had one more game to play before that.
Greenfield wasn't what I was worried about, but knowing that the Westpoint game was fast approaching put me on edge. I knew the players who injured me no longer played, but fuck, my mind was not having it.
I booked additional over-the-phone therapy sessions just to get over this irrational fear that was gripping me again, but part of my anxiety was coming from Rosie and me being a secret.
I hated that I only saw her in the studio, in my car, or in public, where I couldn't touch her. I kept thinking back to the time before we agreed to try this, when she would hug and touch me in public without a second thought. Now that I knew how she tasted, I needed more of her.
My eyes found her sitting on the sofa of Rise and Caffeinate as I walked in, smiling when I recognized she was wearing my hoodie that I gave her after the night in the studio.
It didn't have a name on it, so she could have worn her own or Aaron’s.
She looked cute in her messy bun and focused face, as she tapped her pen against her notebook.
She was so old school when it came to studying; I rarely saw her use a laptop.
Tripping in one of the chairs, I quickly apologized to it, before my eyes landed on the smirking Max and confused Aaron.
“My legs are jelly after that strength training,” I muttered as an excuse, as my best friend snickered.
Aaron rolled his eyes, and he walked up to Rosie, twisting her messy bun. “Hey, you!”
“Stop,” she groaned, the two bickering like siblings. “What are you doing here?”
“Getting coffee? You don't own the place, remember?” Aaron grinned at her. “Wanna join us?”
Her eyes found me, and a small blush painted her cheeks as she shook her head. “I'm studying.”
“You can take a break,” he pushed her gently, as Max nudged me to keep on moving and ordering our drinks.
“You need to stop staring, dude.”
“I can't.” I closed my eyes, my brain reminding me of her delicious smell and the noises she made. I wanted to be buried back between her legs. She was so sensitive, so responsive... so mine.
“Dex,” Max jabbed his elbow in my side, and I stared at him. “You're acting strange.”
“I know,” I sighed. “But, fuck, I love her, man. All I want is to hold her forever, and it messes with my head.”
Max nodded in agreement. “You can't just act like that every time you see her in public. Bad enough she's wearing your hoodie.”
I rolled my eyes and ordered a decaf, recognizing the anxiety racing through my body and deciding to listen to it instead of making it worse. But for good measure, I added pain au chocolat.
Rosalie's eyes lingered on me as we sat across from her, and she eyed my pastry with interest.
Seconds later, my phone buzzed.
Rosalie
Did you just order a pain au chocolat without me?
That's worse than cheating.
I let out a low laugh, my eyes travelling back to her smug face and arched brow.
If you want it, come and get it, Thorn.
The sound of books closing and papers shuffling hit my ear before I looked up and watched her walk over to my table.
She looked hot as hell, having my hoodie hit her mid-thighs, covering the shorts she was wearing, and having her sexy, long legs on display.
I still remember how they felt wrapped around me.
I grew hard just watching her approach as she sat next to me. Keeping a slight distance, but her knee brushes mine.
“Pay up,” she requested without greeting me, and I pushed the plate in front of her.
“Oh, I got you one as well...” Aaron appeared by the table as Rosie took a bite of my pastry.
“I can eat two,” she smiled innocently, her eyes closing from the pleasure of eating the sweet deliciousness. “It's my guilty pleasure.”
Aaron eyed me suspiciously, but when Max joined too, he stopped, and I could breathe again.
The guys got into a soccer conversation about this morning's practice, but I only half listened as Rosie devoured her food. She savored every single bite, and it was adorable.
“You're staring,” she whispered to me with a grin.
“You have chocolate all over your face,” I chuckled, reaching for a napkin. I almost went to wipe her face, but she quickly took it from my hand and did it herself. Our hands brushed, electricity racing through them.
“Better?” she asked, keeping her voice calm and steady.
“Perfect.”
The conversation shifted to Halloween plans, and I felt Rosie's leg press more firmly against mine under the table. A deliberate move that sent heat rushing through me.
“So, Derek, are you coming to the party?” Max asked, pulling me back to reality.
“Yeah, probably.” I took a sip of my decaf, trying to focus on anything but the warmth of Rosie's thigh against mine.
“What about you, Rosie?” Aaron leaned back in his chair. “You should come. Bring some friends.”
She shifted beside me, and I caught a whiff of her shampoo, the same scent that had been on my pillowcase since that night in the studio. “Maybe. I'll see if I'm free.”
“Come on, you're always free for parties,” Aaron pressed. “Unless you've got a secret boyfriend we don't know about?”
My hand tightened around my cup. Rosie laughed, but I heard the slight strain in it.
“If I had a boyfriend, you'd be the first to interrogate him, Aaron. You know that.”
“Damn right I would.” Aaron's expression turned serious for a moment. “Any guy who wants to date my sister better be worth it. No assholes allowed.”
Max snorted. “What are your requirements? Should we make a list?”
“I'm serious,” Aaron said, his eyes moving between the three of us. “She deserves someone who treats her right. Someone trustworthy, you know? Not some player.”
The irony wasn't lost on me. I was that someone, and here I was, hiding it from her brother, my best friend. Guilt twisted in my gut.
“Can we not talk about my hypothetical love life?” Rosie interjected, her cheeks flushed.
Her hand dropped to her lap, and I felt her fingers brush against my thigh briefly before pulling away.
The touch was so quick I almost thought I imagined it, but the electricity that shot through me confirmed it was real.
“Fine, fine,” Aaron relented. “But seriously, about Halloween…”
My phone buzzed on the table. I glanced down and saw Rosie's name.
Rosalie
Stop looking at me like that. Aaron's getting suspicious.
I quickly pocketed my phone, but not before Aaron's eyes narrowed slightly.
“Who's texting you?” he asked casually, but there was an edge to his tone.
“My mom,” I lied smoothly. “Asking about Thanksgiving plans.”
“It's October, dude.”
“She likes to plan ahead.” I shrugged, hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt.
Max cleared his throat, mercifully changing the subject to the upcoming Greenfield game. But I could feel Aaron's gaze lingering on me, then shifting to Rosie, then back to me.
“I should get back to studying,” Rosie announced suddenly, gathering her things. “Exam tomorrow.”
“Already?” Aaron frowned. “You just got here.”
“I've been here for two hours, Aaron. You just arrived.” She stood, and I had to physically restrain myself from reaching for her hand. “See you guys later.”
As she walked back to her spot on the sofa, Aaron leaned forward, his voice low. “Is it just me, or is she acting weird?”
“Weird how?” Max asked, and I held my breath.
“I don't know. Just... off.” Aaron's eyes followed his sister as she settled back into her seat. “And she's wearing that hoodie constantly. And it just looks way too familiar…”
“Lots of people have Titan hoodies, man,” Max said, and I wanted to kiss him for the save.
“Yeah, I guess.” Aaron didn't sound convinced. “It's just... never mind. I'm probably overthinking it.”
I forced myself to take a drink, to appear casual, even though my heart was pounding. This was getting harder. Every interaction felt like walking a tightrope, and I wasn't sure how much longer we could keep this up without someone falling.
My phone buzzed again.
Rosalie
That was close. We need to be more careful.
I know. This is killing me.
Rosalie
Me too. But we can't risk it. Not yet.
I looked up and caught her eyes across the café. The longing in them matched exactly what I felt, this desperate need to close the distance between us, to stop pretending she was just my best friend's little sister.
“Earth to Derek,” Aaron waved his hand in front of my face. “You're zoning out again. What's going on with you lately?”
“Nothing,” I said too quickly. “Just thinking about the Westpoint game.”
Aaron's expression softened immediately. “Shit, yeah. That's in a couple of weeks, right? Are you doing okay with that?”
“Getting there,” I admitted, grateful for the genuine concern that replaced his suspicion. “Therapy's helping.”
“Good. We need you on the field.” Aaron stood up. “I'm getting a refill. You guys want anything?”
As soon as Aaron walked to the counter, Max leaned in close. “You two need to chill. That was way too obvious.”
“I know,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “I just... I can't stand this. Pretending I don't care about her when she's right there.”
“Well, you better figure it out, because Aaron's not stupid. He's already noticing something's off.” Max glanced toward the counter where Aaron was chatting with the barista. “And when he figures it out, it's not going to be pretty.”
I knew Max was right. But as I stole another glance at Rosie, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she studied, all I could think about was how much worse it would be if I had to give her up.
Aaron returned with his coffee and a suspicious glint still in his eyes. “You know what? I think I'm going to hang here for a bit. Study with Rosie.”
Fuck.