Chapter 17 #3
His no-strings attached, discretion guaranteed, offer on the table might sound really good now…but look at me. I’m practically pooling between my legs because he called me pretty.
I won’t last five minutes of these…lessons.
Tisch’s eyes move between us. “Okaaay then, you’re good? Because if I’m not out in three minutes, he’s coming in.”
Kane glares at her. “Don’t tempt me, new girl.”
Tisch flips him off then waits for me.
I should bolt with her. Distance myself from Kane Andrews and his ridiculous offer for a pre-game ritual where I ask for sexual favors, he scores, and then makes them happen.
I should talk to Bree about this, or Tisch. Or better yet, try out my new toy, which feels heavy in the bag over my shoulder right now, and just forget this whole Kane thing ever happened.
Okay. Yes, I need to go—now.
“I’m good.” I give her a soft smile. “Kane will give me a ride later.”
Umm…What? That is not what we discussed five seconds ago.
Tisch shrugs and gives me a quick hug. “Okay, well, I’m right down the hall from you so just knock in the morning, let me know you got in okay and we’ll grab coffee downstairs.” She glances at Kane, then whispers loudly in my ear. “And I want to hear everything.”
I give her a sharp nod and she winks. Then quickly slides off the jacket. “Oops. If Jake saw me in this, we would not be having coffee tomorrow morning because I’d be dead.” She shoves it at Kane.
I hand her back her leather jacket. “Your brother sounds like a charmer. Can’t wait to meet him.”
“Night, Bambi. I had fun.”
My chest tugs, even if I am frozen in the process. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I whisper back.
A tall blonde watches Tisch leave and approaches me with a wink.
“Sorry your friend had to leave.” She turns to Kane, running her finger down his bicep. “Still lookin’ for double the fun tonight, Cap?”
My throat clogs. The girl is all legs, silky golden hair, and boobs way bigger than mine. I feel my back press against the wall. It’s colder without Tisch’s jacket around my shoulders.
He frowns. “Um…thanks, but no. I was about to announce last call, so you might want to grab yourself and your friends a fresh round.” He doesn’t wink. He doesn’t even offer a smile.
And I realize it’s the same girl that Hunter was talking to earlier when he was “wingman’ing”.
She smirks and lowers her eyes to me. Somehow it doesn’t make me feel small. But the opposite. Does she seriously see me as a threat?
“Yeah, okay. Catch ya next time then.”
He doesn’t confirm and waits until she leaves. Then turns to me. “Sorry about that.” Kane slips his hand behind me and pulls me off the wall. “You cold?”
I shake my head, my eyes following the girl who starts talking to her friends the moment she reaches them. I wait with a tight chest for their heads to turn.
For the giggles, the judgement.
“Isla,” Kane calls.
“Hmm?” I turn back to find him searching my face.
“You sure you’re alright?”
I drop my head. “They’re talking about me.”
He doesn’t even look away from me. “Probably. Does that bother you?”
“I know it shouldn’t,” I tell him honestly. I don’t add the part where it wouldn’t be anything new. Hell, my own roommates don’t even like me. Now they’ve gone as far as locking me out.
My eyes snap to his. “I thought of something you can do for me. Something else.”
“Teach you how to deal with girls like that? Easy. Spend all your time with me or Tisch. We’ll handle it,” he says with a grin.
“Give me your bedroom for the night.”
His brows jump. “What? I mean, sure, but,” he narrows his eyes. “I’m guessing without me in it, so…what’s going on?”
I decide on the half-truth.
“I…my roommates. They have these…friends over for this…group thing…on the couch. And I just need a place to crash tonight. I’d take your couch, but…” I point to the living room packed with bodies on every surface.
“You got it.”
Relief washes over me. “Really? Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
“No. Just this one time. I don’t have the energy for them today.” Plus, I’m not entirely sure they plan to let me in.
His brows crease but he doesn’t question it. “Consider it done.”
He glances back at the party and catches Greyson’s eye, making a cut-it-off sign across his throat.
Greyson groans before turning to the crowd. “Alright, party’s over. Start wrapping it up.”
Kane turns back to me and dips his hand in his pocket. “It’s the one at the end of the hall.” He drops a key into my hand. “It’s got a private bathroom, clean sheets, and no one will bother you there.”
“Are you sure? Do you have another—”
“I’ll crash with Hunter tonight, or something.”
I grin. “Your wingman.”
His smile spreads wide. “My best friend. I’ll introduce you tomorrow. He’s been side-eying us all night and I know he’s going to have questions.”
I glance over the living room, spotting Hunter leaning against the couch with a brunette standing between his legs. “Does he know I’m…”
He leans in, his voice hushed. “Shadow? Yes. And my guess is Grey’s on to us too.”
There’s a smile in his voice, like it’s our thing now. A secret we share. And I suppose, if he trusts them with it, the way I trust Tisch, then I can too.