Page 44 of Rookie Moves

By the time I reach the third floor, the music becomes a distant thump, giving me the chance to think more clearly. I stop by the bathroom to take a leak, then wait for Colby in my room.

Is it risky to do anything while there’s a house full of people downstairs? Obviously, but tonight is the perfect opportunity because everyone is drinking and too busy having a good time. My housemates will be finding their way to their own rooms eventually, too busy with whoever they’ve paired up with for the night. The last thing they’ll be thinking about is Colby’s or my whereabouts.

Even though I’ve only had one beer, I feel myself begin to heat up. I slide open my window slightly to let in some fresh air, then toss my hat onto my desk, adding to the ever-growing pile of crap that seems to find itself home there.

I’m pacing around the room when I hear footsteps on the stairs, and I freeze, gaze fixed on the door.

Colby peeks his head around the door frame moments later.

“Hey,” he says almost awkwardly.

His smile is hesitant as he enters my room, and an unsettling washes over me.

“What’s going on?” I frown, taking a step forward.

I don’t miss the way he flinches slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“Something’s happened,” I say, taking another step closer, hating the distance between us. And not just in the physical sense. “Has someone upset you?”

Colby’s eyes dart between mine and a spot beyond my shoulder as he chews on the inside of his lip. The longer he remains silent, the harder my heart pounds in my chest.

I swear if someone has done something to upset him, I’ll⁠—

“I know we should have talked and set boundaries before we started doing all of this, and I know I have no right asking this, but I don’t want you to see anyone else while we’re hooking up.” His words come out in a rush, voice gradually getting more panicked.

I’m so startled by his unexpected outburst, all I can do is blink at him, and it takes me a few minutes to find my words.

“I… It didn’t even cross my mind to hook up with other people while we do this. Like, it was a no-brainer to me?” My brows furrow. “What’s happened to make you think otherwise?”

“I saw you in the backyard talking to that girl.” He waves his hand out to the side, then cringes. “Fuck, that sounds so pathetic. Getting all twisted up over you talking to someone else.”

My mind flies through the conversations I’ve had tonight. None of them have been flirtatious or suggestive. I’ve only talked to our teammates or guys who play with Batesy on the baseball team and their girlfriends.

Coming up blank, I ask, “Who? When?”

“The brunette in the white top.”

“Anna?”

He grunts and glances down to pick at his nails. “I guess.”

“Anna has been dating Batesy’s teammate since they were in the eighth grade,” I tell him, then tilt my head to the side, suddenly seeing a different side to him. A side I never expected from him, but one I don’t entirely hate.

A small smirk plays on my lips as I ask, “Colbs, were you jealous?”

“No,” he answers far too quickly to be telling the truth.

I take another step forward, hooking my finger into his belt loop and pull him closer until there are only a few inches between us.

“Kinda hot if you were,” I say hoarsely.

He rolls his eyes, and I can’t help but grin.

“Colby.”

“What?”