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Okay, this was weird.
He must have picked up on my lack of interest in the conversation, because he turned the music up on some pop streaming station. Within ten more minutes, we were pulling up to a cute hotel in Ann Arbor.
Corey only attempted light conversation as he helped us check in and showed us to the room. Inside, there was a welcome package from the University with different logo’d apparel. Water and snacks were also tucked among the hats, T-shirts and water bottles.
“This is complimentary as part of your visit.” He checked his watch. It was only half past nine, but he acted like it was after midnight. “It’s late, so I’ll let you turn in. I bet you’re tired. Mr. Johnson will be in the lobby at ten to greet you. If you have any questions or need anything at all, my cell is listed on this card.” He pointed to the notecard sticking out of the gift basket.
“Awesome, thanks.” I shook his hand one more time and locked the door once he left.
“Is it just me, or is he big on hand shaking?” Thatcher chuckled as he shut the curtains.
The hotel room was nice. Two queen beds, a desk, a small kitchenette. Nothing fancy like my family stayed in when we traveled, but definitely upscale for prospective college students. Actually, I didn’t have anything to compare it to. Dad never felt we needed to tour potential schools. That I would pick one based on his approved list and he’d just write the check for tuition.
Now though, that really wasn’t an option.
“He’s a happy man, for sure. I’d love to capture pictures of him around people and when he’s by himself. See if there’s a difference. I bet there would be,” Astrid said as she pulled a hygiene bag out of her backpack.
“Okay, I almost got jealous you wanted to take pictures of him, but that would be a fun dual study. I approve.” Thatcher dropped a kiss on her head, then fell back on the bed, reaching for the remote.
I ruffled through the snacks, grabbing some nuts and a bottle of water. It was chilled. Did Corey give people the heads up before we got here? That seemed hilarious and strange at the same time.
Astrid went into the bathroom to wash up while I stuck the rest of the bottles in the fridge. No need in letting them reach room temperature. Instead of unpacking my own bag, which I never did anyway, I sat in the desk chair, spinning from side to side while I listened to water turn on and off in the bathroom.
“Why the long face?” Thatcher asked.
He had one hand tucked behind his head, looking like he was ready for a relaxing vacation. I doubt we’d have any downtime. The school would pack as much as they could in the next forty-some hours to make sure they got their money’s worth. I hope he was prepared.
We’d made out pretty well. Outside of their food and airfare, the trip was covered by the hockey program.
“I’m excited to be here.” Damn, that was unconvincing. Let me try again. “This is the opportunity I’ve waited for pretty much since I started thinking of hockey as long term. But with all this shit going on… It just seems unrealistic.”
“If they had no plans to offer you the scholarship, they wouldn’t have paid for this trip. Stop worrying about it. Just have fun tonight and let tomorrow happen when it gets here.”
“Fun?” That came out of left field since we were about to go to bed.
“Fun,” he repeated, his dark gaze lighting on Astrid as she walked out of the bathroom wearing a sleep shirt that barely came to mid-thigh. She twisted her head to the side to crack her neck, completely unaware of Thatcher’s ideas.
And he had big ideas all right.
My brain short circuited when the T-shirt rode up Astrid’s thighs as she bent over to pull her laptop out of her backpack. Group sex wasn’t really my thing. It had never been something I’d entertained, and even when we set off on this group relationship, it still wasn’t something I thought about.
I guessed I had just figured that if she wanted that, Beck and Thatcher would be the ones to give her the experience. Jonah was a wild card. Sometimes he seemed too strait laced, and other times a little thuggish dressed in geek clothing.
Thatcher bit his lip as he angled his head to get a better view. There was no doubt what he wanted; all Astrid had to do was look at him.
She straightened up and climbed on the bed, flashing her cheeks and tiny green panties. I groaned. If Thatcher hadn’t put this thought in my head, I could have stayed distracted then gone to bed.
But the most attractive thing about Astrid was that she didn’t know she was attractive. No, she wasn’t fake, or overly done up like the women my mother ran in circles with, or the women my dad wanted me to chase. To me, that was even better. Her authentic beauty had my cock harder than any spray tan and fake boobs ever could.
A tendril of dark wavy hair fell from her bun, and she used her fingers to comb it behind her ear. She still hadn’t looked at us. I couldn’t resist the smirk climbing over my face as both Thatcher and I watched her hungrily.
Astrid didn’t have a clue.
Which was ridiculous for her, she saw everything.Almosteverything. Did that mean she was so comfortable with us that she didn’t have to watch our every move? I hoped that was it. I wanted to have a side of her the rest of the world didn’t get.
I shifted my legs farther apart to adjust my jeans. The chair creaked with my movement, bringing Astrid’s beautiful gaze straight to me.
A blush immediately stole over her cheeks. Then she twisted to look at Thatcher, who smiled darkly at her.
