“Get away from there,” I snap, shoving him away from the window before Cecilia notices him and loses her nerve.
“Why is she standing on the sidewalk? Just go get her and bring her inside.”
I fight the urge to smack him upside the head and instead say, “She’ll come inside when she’s ready.” At least, I hope she does. Fuck. It’s been a solid five minutes already, and she doesn’t look any closer to climbing the porch steps than she did when she first arrived. I’m worried she’ll change her mind about working on our project today. That she’ll turn around and leave without bothering to come inside. It’s aggravating. Especially since this time around, her reluctance isn’t because of the rest of the guys living here. At least I don’t think it is. This time, I’m pretty sure her hesitation is because of me.
I sigh.
“Who are you guys talking about?” Deacon asks as he jogs down the stairs, Atticus right beside him. Those two clicked right away, which is good. Maybe they can keep one another out oftrouble. Not that Atticus is the rebellious type. Deacon, on the other hand, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
So far, since moving in, he’s been on his best behavior. Shows up to practice on time, doesn’t miss any classes. He cleans up after himself around the house and does dishes, even when not all of them are his. He’s a model roommate. Until now.
“You two can’t be down here,” I tell them.
The four of us all together in a confined space is too much for her. Cecilia was only just starting to warm up to Felix and Julio prior to our split. With Deacon and Atticus added to that mix?—
“Chill,” Atticus says. “We’re just grabbing drinks before we hole up in our rooms.”
My shoulders relax.
“Even though we’re starving,” Deacon adds.
I wave them off. “Then grab a snack. What are you two, toddlers?”
“Take it easy,” Felix says, peering out the window again. I can’t help but look over his shoulder and— shit.
“Go. Go. Go. She’s coming.” I shove him toward the stairs.
“What’s the big deal?” he complains. “Cecilia likes me.”
“Good for you,cabrón.”— Fucker—There’s a knock at the door. “I need her to like me, not be distracted by you.”
He grins.Asshole.“Not my fault I’m more popular with the ladies.”
I growl and shove him toward the stairs again just as Atticus and Deacon return from the kitchen, a Jarritos and some chicharrónes in their hands. “Don’t you guys have any regular food?” Deacon asks.
The knock sounds again.
“Bro, you live with three Mexicans,” Atticus says with a shrug. “This is their normal. You’ll get used to it.”
The guys are finally out of sight, and I take a deep breath before opening the door.
“Hey, you made it.” I force a smile into my voice, hoping she doesn’t sense how nervous I am.
Her eyes flick up to meet mine before she quickly looks away. “Yeah. Hi.” She steps inside and looks around. “Where is everyone? I saw a few motorcycles parked outside and there’s another car in the driveway. Are your roommates home?”
Maybe I wasn’t the reason for her reluctance to come inside. The thought brings a genuine smile to my lips.
“They’re here.” I tell her. Everyone aside from Julio, that is. Coach wanted him to stick around after practice. Something about strategies for our upcoming game. Who knows what they’ll come up with, but it better be something good if we’re going to have any chance at winning against CPU. The way practices have been going, we’ll be lucky if we even get a point on the board. “They’re just giving us some space to work on our project.”
She nods and follows me as I lead her toward the kitchen. “Do you want anything to drink?”
Cecilia shakes her head and takes a seat against the back wall before pulling her laptop and a notebook from her bag. “I’m assuming we’re going to argue for intervention, right?”
I snort. “Obviously.”
She nods. “Cool. Just making sure we’re on the same page.”
I take the seat kitty corner to her, and my knee brushes against her thigh. She stiffens. But I don’t pull it back, waiting to see if she’ll shift away.
