Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“Pop?”
“We came up with an idea that works for me.”
I pull my head back so I can look down at him. “You did?”
He nods. “He’s going to loan me the money I need until my trust fund kicks in.”
“How is that different to me offering to help you? You do know I don’t have a job, don’t you? Where do you think my money comes from?”
“That’s what I said. But your pop promised it would be an airtight contract, so I have to pay it back no matter what happens with us. Whether you’re drafted, move across the country and never see me again, or we do long-distance, or I go with you to whichever city you’re signed to—”
“That. Let’s do that one.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You still have to survive living with me until a dorm opens up.”
I squeeze him tighter. “You’re still moving in?”
“I’m still going to have to penny-pinch for the next two and a bit years, but yes. Until I can find cheaper accommodation—maybe even in the share house district—you and Brady have me as a roommate.”
“A roommate who sleeps next to me?”
Levi leans in. “Every night.”
Yes. I close the small gap between us and kiss him with so much force he stumbles backward in the sand, and then I have to hold him tighter to keep him against me.
“Let’s make a promise,” I murmur against his lips and force myself to pull back. “Next time you’re overwhelmed and stressy and I’m not helping, could you maybe talk to me about why before jumping to you’re going to leave?”
“Or. Or. Hear me out. We call your dads to talk us down and fix all our problems.”
“That seems easier. They were surprisingly good at it. And Dad barely cracked a joke during our whole conversation.”
“Ah. I had Brady for that.”
I shake my head. “My brother likes you more than he likes me.”
Levi smiles. “To be fair, it is his job to keep your ego in check.”
“True.”
“So what happens now?” Levi asks.
“Right now? We move all your shit into my house, and then tomorrow, I kick ass on the field.”
“And if you lose?”
“I can’t lose. I have to show the world I can handle my personal life blowing up and still be the best damn player on the field.”
“No pressure.”
I cup his cheek. “What did I tell you about pressure? I thrive on it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
levi
Thrives under pressure? That is an understatement when it comes to Peyton Miller. Not only does my man show the entire world what he can do during the semifinal game, but he’s totally cool, calm, and collected as we arrive in Santa Clara for the championship a week later.
Peyton thinks it’s a sign that it’s being played at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco NFL team. The jokes about winning inside me have not stopped. Not even in front of his dads, which is mortifying.
Peyton and his dads go to do team stuff, leaving Brady and me alone for the afternoon. It’s only been a week of living together, and while Peyton and I are loving it, I can’t help but notice the tension growing between Brady and me already.
I wonder if all the sex noises are getting to him.
There isn’t much to do in Santa Clara, so we take their dad’s rental car and head into San Francisco for some dinner because we have hours to fill. Hours that feel like days because there’s this weird vibe between us now.
We’re about forty minutes into the hour-long drive when I can’t take it anymore.
“If you hate living with me so much, you’re allowed to tell me what’s up. Do I chew loudly? Do you hate that Peyton gave me the basement to do my art stuff and all your gym equipment is outside now?”
Brady glances at me out the corner of his eye and then focuses back on the road. “What are you droning on about?”
“Ever since I moved in, you’re putting distance between yourself and Peyton and me. Are you worried I’m going to tell him about—”
“No. It’s not that. It’s …” He purses his lips. “I didn’t realize you’d picked up on it, and that’s on me. Peyton is so oblivious to anything that’s happening past his own nose, and everyone is always so focused on him that I’m not used to people noticing me. I have nothing against you. Or my brother. Or you two being together. But … seeing you guys together … you’re just so damn happy.”
“Sorry. I’ll get right on trying to fix that.”
Brady laughs. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for Pey, and you’re an awesome roommate. I was low-key worried you didn’t know how to wash a dish growing up with all the housekeepers you had.”
“The last six months were difficult. Did you know that the detergent you put in the sink is not the same detergent you put in the dishwasher to wash dishes? Why don’t they teach this stuff at Harvard? Or at least teach you how to clean up a kitchen full of soap suds.”