He laughs.
I’m smiling now, but I was so embarrassed at the time and Nathan made fun of me for weeks.
“You were always good at calming her down, being her rock. You still are. She might be doing better, but there’s no one that can make her as happy as you. Call her.”
When I get off the phone with Nathan, I send her a text checking in and promise myself I’ll call her tomorrow. With my gift card in hand, I walk out into the living room. Everyone’s back from campus, and Adam has parked himself back in his guard dog position between the door and my room.
I toss the gift card on the coffee table. “I was going to order pizza and get the new Call of Duty. You guys in?”
“Oh, no way.” Rauthruss picks up the card. “Rad, man. I’m in.”
We both look to Adam and he shrugs his big shoulders. I guess that’s a start.
29
Ginny
Hottest guy on campus: Hey, gorgeous. Why aren’t you in my bed?
Me: Better offer.
Hottest guy on campus: Damn, woman. That’s cold.
Me: I figured you would understand better than anyone. My mom’s been cooking for days. SO MUCH FOOD.
Hottest guy on campus: My stomach just growled, for real. Also, my dick’s hard just from texting you.
Me: Proof or it didn’t happen.
Hottest guy on campus: Dick pics… always a bad idea, Genevieve.
Me: Like vag pics *shudders*
Hottest guy on campus: Not the same at all. Speaking of… feel free to send some my way.
Me: Tit for tat.
Hottest guy on campus: Tits okay too, I guess. Make sure you get front and side view… I very much enjoy a little side booby.
Me: How’s Valley?
I don’t want to ask specifically about how things are with Adam, but he must read between the lines.
Hottest guy on campus: Okay. We stayed in tonight and played video games. Adam hasn’t punched me yet.
Me: I heard my mom say you guys are having a team dinner to celebrate Thanksgiving. That’s nice.
Hottest guy on campus: Beats the dorm food. Don’t tell Brenda.
Me: Brenda?
Hottest guy on campus: My favorite lunch lady.
Me: Of course, you have a favorite lunch lady.
Hottest guy on campus: Eyes keep closing. Gonna sleep. Don’t forget (o) (o)
The following night I’m lying on the couch watching TV when there’s noise outside. A car door followed by deep voices. I get up and peer out the window. Adam’s Jeep is in the driveway, and I see his big frame climbing out of the driver’s side. Heath, Rauthruss, and Mav follow.
I run to the door and fling it open as they approach. “What are you doing here?”
I hug Adam first. As excited as I am about the man behind him, it’s been three years since Adam and I have celebrated a Thanksgiving together. He always stayed at Valley because of his hockey schedule.
“Decided to come up for the night, enjoy Mom’s sour cream apple pie. We have to go back tomorrow night to have dinner with the team.”
“Figures you found a way to have two Thanksgiving dinners.”
Adam heads inside, so do Mav and Rhett. Heath lingers with a sexy smirk. “Hey, Genevieve.”
I throw myself at him.
“Couch, Payne.” Adam’s voice comes from behind me. “Mav and Rhett, you guys can take the guest room.”
Adam gets Heath a pillow and blanket, and I stay downstairs as Heath spreads out on the couch bed.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“I wanted to surprise you. Also, I didn’t know until about three hours ago. Your brother said he was heading up and asked if we wanted to come with him.” He shrugs. “I was half expecting him to stop on the freeway somewhere and kick me out of the car.”
“So you’re here because of my brother?” I sneak a hand inside his shirt and up his chest.
“Yep. He really does it for me.” He winces. “Shit, I can’t even joke about it while I’m hard.”
“Come up to my room.” I start to stand, but he doesn’t budge.
“I don’t think I should.”
“Because of Adam? He’s had more girls in his room than Sephora on sale day.”
“I don’t know what that means, but I’m guessing it’s a lot.”
“Yes.” I pull again, but he shakes his head.
“It’s not just Adam. I’m a guest and I don’t want your parents to think I came up to get in their daughter’s pants.
“Oh my god, when did you turn into this good guy?”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m still bad.” He pulls me down on top of him and quickly has me pinned underneath him on the couch bed.
He doesn’t kiss me, though, just stares down at me.
“I’m so excited you’re here.”
He grins. “Me too.”
I wake up to the smell of pumpkin and turkey and am instantly giddy. A real Thanksgiving with the whole family. And Heath.
Adam and the guys are already up, their doors open and rooms empty as I pass by on my way downstairs. I slow as I get to the last step. Heath’s pulling a gray T-shirt over his head and holding his phone up to his ear.
When he spots me, he smiles, and my insides turn to mush.
“All right, I should go. The guys are waiting on me.” He continues staring at me as he says goodbye to whoever he’s talking to. I meet him halfway as he pockets his phone.
“Was that your mom?”
“Yeah.”
“She must miss having you home for the holidays. My mom’s ecstatic Adam’s here. She’s been in the kitchen all morning making extra pies.”
“Hope she doesn’t mind we came along.”
“Are you kidding? She’s thrilled. My mother’s happiest when she has lots of people to dote on.”
He wraps his arms around my lower back. “What are you up to this morning? Can you save me from some lame football game outside?”
I gasp. “Lame? It’s an honored tradition.” I take his hand and pull him to the door. “You can be on my team. I’ve never lost.”
The neighborhood football game on Thanksgiving
