Page 31 of Rookie Moves

COLBY

The subtle way Tyler watches me across the table throughout dinner has me on edge. Not in the uncomfortable sense, but in the impatient, I can’t wait to get my hands on you sense. This need to be alone with him has been brewing since that moment in the shower. Throw in the fact that the bus took twice as long to get back to the hotel, and then we were herded like cattle into the conference room for dinner, I’m practically vibrating with anticipation to get back to the room.

I barely engage with the smack talk bouncing around the table and eat my food so fast, I’m going to be lucky if I don’t get heartburn.

The moment the first person gets up to head back to their room, I jump to my feet. My sudden movement has the chair tipping over behind me, bringing the attention of nearby tables to me when it hits the floor with a loud thud.

“Eager to make a getaway, are we?” Liam teases, picking up a green bean and flicking it at Nelson.

“Gotta get my beauty sleep,” I answer with a playful wink and right the chair back into place. “You know I can’t carry your sorry ass without a solid eight hours.”

“Superstar, you kill me,” Liam gasps, clutching his chest, and Nelson picks that moment to shove a chunk of cauliflower into Liam’s mouth.

With our captain distracted, I pick up my plate and take it over to the far end of the room, where I toss the scraps into the trash, then place it on the stack of dirty dishes.

“Someone might think you have someone waiting for you upstairs with how desperate you are to get out of here,” Tyler says with a quiet snicker.

I cock my head toward him, the corners of my mouth hitching up. “Maybe I am desperate to get out of here.”

“Is that so?” He smirks.

“Mhm,” I hum in agreement, then lower my voice. My words come out so deep and raspy, I almost don’t recognize myself. “Maybe I’m desperate to get my hands on you. To do more than just making out.”

Tyler swallows audibly. “You better get back to our room so I can give you your next lesson.”

A shiver passes through me, and I lick over my lips. An electric current rushes through my veins, causing my hands to tremble. I shove them into the pockets of my sweatpants and sidestep around Tyler before I can make a fool of myself.

My plan of a swift exit has fallen short, though, as it seems everyone has gotten up from their seats and is now making their way out toward the lobby.

Following the crowd to the elevator banks, I silently pray no one suggests a game of ping-pong, or spending the last couple of hours before curfew piled into Anton’s room to play on the PlayStation he stuffed into his bag.

I don’t think I’ll survive if I have to wait any longer to be alone with Tyler.

Keeping my head down to avoid making eye contact, I quickly respond to my mom’s message congratulating me on our win and look up just in time to get poked in the ribs by Tyler as he sneaks past. He pushes his way into the elevator, and I manage to squeeze in before some of the others have realized the doors have opened.

Too many people try to force their way into the car, setting the alarm off when the weight restriction has been exceeded. I shuffle backward, not wanting to get caught up with the others getting shoved back into the lobby.

With all the pushing and shoving, my back collides with Tyler’s chest, and pleasure jolts through me when his breath fans against the shell of my ear.

“Hello,” he whispers in a husky tone.

My eyes dart around, checking to see if anyone is paying us any attention, but they’re too preoccupied laughing and joking at those who didn’t make it inside and are now trying to stop the doors from closing.

With my body shielding his where he’s tucked in the corner, Tyler lifts his hand, trailing his fingers over the outside of my thigh before slipping under the hem of my sweatshirt. His fingertips dance delicately over the flesh of my hip, and I have to bite down on the inside of my cheek to stop the hitch in my breath from escaping.

Fuck, we need to get back to our room, like, now.

Thankfully, before I can snap at my teammates to let the goddamn doors close, the sound of Coach Vaughn’s booming voice has the others taking a step away from the doors. The car stops off at every floor, and when it reaches the fourth floor, I’m stepping forward before the doors have the chance to open.

“Okay, night,” I say without turning around.

Unaware and unbothered if anyone responded, I quickly walk down the corridor to our room, hoping Tyler is hot on my heels because I don’t want to wait until we’re back at campus to take things to the next level.

Or wait another minute.

I’m pretty sure we’ve mastered kissing. We’ve done a lot of practice over the last four days, so I’m confident I’ll be getting top grades in the tongue fencing championships, but now I want to know what it feels like to have him in my palm. To know what it feels like with his hand wrapped around my dick.

When we reach the door to our room, my hands are shaking as I remove the key card from my pocket and tap it against the lock. Cursing under my breath when the light flashes red, I tap it multiple times, but the blessed green light doesn’t appear.