So instead, I say, “Zero gave us till the end of study hall. What time is it?”
“I’m gonna go ahead and say study hall is over by now.”
“Think we’ve worked it out enough for them?”
“You obviously haven’t been paying attention. To them, working it out means putting our mouths on each other.”
I splutter as my heart jams its way up my throat, but Cauler just laughs and sits up, stretching his arms above his head. “Chill, Terzo. I know PDA is dangerous.” He stands and holds a hand out to help me up, and I want to scream. I kind of just stare blankly at it for a second before reaching up.
He looks me in the eyes. Full-on, deep eye contact as he hauls me to my feet. He pulls me closer than he needs to, holds on for a beat longer than necessary, and for a second I swear he’s gonna do it. Prying eyes be damned. I bite my lip and look at his mouth and wait for it.
He turns away just when I’m about to lean in, and I follow him back to the library with my heart in my stomach.
NINETEEN
Cauler and I have sex again a few more times before Thanksgiving break, and thank god we don’t have any games coming up over the next few days, because he leaves me with this giant hickey to remember him by the last time.
The boys who stayed behind at the hockey house spend the whole of Thanksgiving dinner trying to figure out who I got it from. The general consensus is that Nova flew in last night for an international booty call. Cauler’s name doesn’t even come up, and I’m pretty sure it’s intentional.
I’m half-asleep on the couch after dinner when my phone goes off, startling me awake with a message from Cauler.
Jaysen: How’s zero’s cooking
I glance around the living room. There’s a football game on TV, and Colie’s passed out in the recliner across the room, mouth open and snoring. Everyone else seems to have migrated toward the alcohol in the kitchen.
Mickey: Not bad actually Turkey’s a little dry but i just drowned it in gravy
How’s home?
Jaysen: Nice
If you notice any welts on me when i get back, don’t be alarmed My cousin rashida takes barbarian ping pong very seriously
Okay, I have never heard of a version of Ping-Pong that would result in welts, but I can’t say I’m not intrigued. Before I can ask about it, though, Cauler sends another message.
Jaysen: Playing cards with the fam now and shae’s kicking my ass Seems i can’t win
He’s playing cards with his family and took the time to message me. That’s not what friends-with-benefits do, right? That’s gotta mean something more.
Mickey: Who’s shae
Jaysen: My brother
He asked about you
I look up again, make sure no one’s come in the room and Colie’s still sleeping.
Mickey: Oh?
Jaysen: Yeah
I mightve talked a lot of shit about you in the beginning And my family’s been keeping up wityh draft projections You’re the villain in this house
Mickey: My dad thinks the same about you
He called you a distraction
Jaysen: Is he right
My palms are sweating. I take a selfie with my neck in clear view and send it to him.
Mickey: You tell me
He sends a bunch of laughing emojis and then:
Jaysen: Looks good on you
Mickey: You would think so.
I glance toward the kitchen again. The only person I can see is Zero, sitting on the counter with a beer bottle in his hand, laughing at something out of sight. Paying no attention to me.
Mickey: Tell me about shae Jaysen: Dude he’s like
One of my favorite people
We’re pretty different, like he’s not into sports at all and he hates my music but he’s so smart I look up to him a lot but we’re nowhere near as close as you and your sisters Kinda jealous actually
“Who you texting?”
I swear I almost choke on my own heart when Delilah pops her head over the back of the couch and puts her chin on my shoulder. I slap my phone to my chest to hide the screen and glare at her.
She grins. “I think I can guess.”
My phone hums against my rib cage, making my heart skip. “I bet you’d be wrong.”
Delilah rolls her eyes. “Deny all you want, Mickey. But I know things.”
“Like what?”
She holds up her right hand. “I have been sworn to secrecy.”
“Delilah.”
“Mickey.”
“I’m your brother.”
She laughs a little and comes around the couch to sit next to me. She tucks one of her legs under her and turns to face me, cradling a wine cooler. She had dinner with her own team, so she missed the whole hickey conversation. When she sees me now, her nose scrunches in disgust. “Ugh, again? You’re such a teenager.”