My hand is frozen on her thigh, and I’m too scared to move it and even more scared to take it away. So, instead, I’ll just sit here like an idiot.
Thankfully, the driver’s music is too loud to comfortably talk through, so I turn my head and force my gaze out of the window, my heart in my throat, growing like a lump that’s going to suffocate me.
Please, God, don’t kill me before I have a chance to really be with Shay.
The rest of the ride is pure torture as my fingers stay splayed over her thigh, and I think it might be permanently stuck there if I’m lucky enough.
Shay gets out on her own, my hand immediately cold from the lack of contact, but I quickly thank the driver and step out, joining her on the curb.
“What if someone sees us?” she murmurs as we walk toward the revolving doors and step inside of the hotel.
“They won’t. I have a lookout—or a couple.” I chuckle, quickly shooting a message to the boys’ group chat when we enter the elevator.
On our way up. Coast clear?
Costy answers me almost immediately.
Costy: All clear. Coaches have been in their rooms since we got here. Over.
Not a walkie-talkie.
Costy: Hear you loud and clear. Over.
I hate you.
“We’re good. Coaches are all in their rooms,” I tell her as she scans her key card for our floor and presses the button. “See? I’m a gentleman.”
“Hmm.” She squints. “Well done.”
I tip my invisible hat to her. “Thank you.”
The elevator opens, and I carefully pop my head out, immediately having to slap my hand over my mouth to stop the cackle from coming out as I see Costy leaning against the wall with a smile on his face.
“Good evening, lovebirds. Can I guide you to your rooms?” His voice is all proper and professional.
Shoving him in the side, I mutter, “I’m going to kill you.”
Why must these boys insist on ruining all possibility of my chance with Shay?
A giggle tears my attention back to Shay, who steps beside me.
“What are you laughing at? Oh God …” Her face falls. “Hi, Cam.”
He wiggles his fingers with a knowing smile. “Coach Rooney.”
“Well, this was fun,” she exhales and steps out of the elevator, taking my heart with her.
Throwing my head back, I slam my eyes shut, blindly reaching over and pinching Costy as hard as I can. “You’re dead to me.”
“Chase after her, youidiot.” He grabs my arm and pulls me, shoving me down the hallway after her. Not that I want to take dating advice from him—he wasn’t exactly the dating type before he met Morgan—but he must’ve done something right.
“Shay,” I whisper loudly, lightly jogging to catch up with her quick strides. “Wait.”
She doesn’t slow, but she turns her head slightly, looking at me like there’s ten feet of glass keeping us apart. “Good night, Matt.”
Reaching her door, she scans her key and pops the door open. But she doesn’t disappear inside, letting me catch up and lean against the wall beside her.
“See? I walked you to your door. Like I said I would.”
