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I was tempted to stand up and shout when she announced she was getting in the shower, because my mind could only think of one thing. Her naked body, slick with soap. Before now, she’d kept details like that to herself, so I’d had no idea when she had showered. I’d assumed she waited until one of many naps. I felt like toddler in that way. I could only make it a few hours without resting, because man, this concussion was exhausting. So drifting off on the sofa was my new norm.
Another new norm for me? Uncomfortable boners. It was like I was back in high school, pining over Aurora. Those days when, if she smiled at me, walked near me, or sat next to me, my dick sprang to life. I thought I’d grown out of the nonsense, but as it turned out, that pesky bad habit had only disappeared because Aurora was no longer around. And now that she was back in my life? I pretty much existed in varying degrees of hard.
She was supposed to be my friend, but friends didn’t think about other friends spread out beneath them. Friends didn’t imagine what it’d be like to taste every inch of one another.
God, I was glad my teammates weren’t around. They’d give me so much shit. Just like my high school friends had given me a hard time about how obsessed I was with the girl.
They’d never understood it. Back then, she was shy and quiet, not part of our world. She was into books, movies about dragons, and staying home on Friday nights. I’d always admired how little she worried about being cool. Even if we didn’t hang out in the same circles, she wasn’t off-limits. None of my friends were bothered by my crush on her.
But now? The Revs had strict rules about fraternization. Worse than that? If we broke those rules, I wasn’t the one who would pay the price. No, I’d get a slap on the wrist, while she’d get fired.
I shook my head. I needed to get out of this apartment. Being in such close proximity to her was messing with my head. I was halfway down the hallway on my way to change when the guest bathroom door swung open and Aurora stepped out.
I froze, and every inch of me went on high alert. Fuck. I pinched my eyes closed, willing them to stay that way. And I was successful too, until the scent of her floral shampoo or body wash or God knew what she’d used on her naked, toned body wafted up and hit my nose. I zeroed in on her flushed cheeks first, then let my gaze drift lower. At the sight of her exposed skin glistening with a light sheen of moisture, all the blood in my body rushed south.
The towel she held in place shifted slightly as she cleared her throat, but she stood in the doorway, watching me like a deer caught in the headlights.
I thought I needed to get out of the apartment before, but that was nothing compared to the desire to flee that hit me as I stood just a few feet from a wet, mostly naked Aurora. “Let’s go get lunch before my appointment with the doc,” I rushed out.
She tilted her head to the side. “We just ate breakfast.”
“C’mon. I’m suddenly ravenous.” I took one more glance down at the swell of her breasts, then forced myself to brush past her. “Going to change.”
If I stood there any longer, I’d do something stupid, like pin her to the wall and kiss the hell out of her.
So I stalked into my room and shut the door behind me, all the while trying to block out the temptation that had taken up residence in my guest room. The doctor had better clear me to be alone, because I couldn’t do this for another day.
Mason was weird all the way through lunch, like the annoyance of the tension between us was getting to him blackening his mood, which was the opposite of his typical light heartedness. The only time he’d smiled was when fans had come over to ask for an autograph or snap a selfie. And now he was arguing with the doctor, which I knew he wanted space from our situation, but his acting irrational was causing the exact opposite reaction in the doctor.
“I’m absolutely fine to stay by myself, and I’m not wearing this thing anymore.” With a huff, he yanked the sling off and tossed it onto the ground.
One of the primary symptoms of a concussion was moodiness, so if he wanted the doctor to think he was doing better he’d need to stop. Maybe if he wasn’t being so difficult, the doctor wouldn’t be insisting on another day of supervision.
“Our typical recommendation is four to five days, but I’d like to err on the side of caution and give it a couple more.”
It was probably a wise move. The Revs were playing the Metros tonight, which meant it would be a close game. Mason would likely be more worked up than he had been for the last couple, and even when he was doing his best to rein it in, it was difficult for him not to react to the outcome of the game in a big way. Especially because it was clear that the team was struggling without him.
“Is she bad company?”
I might have bristled at the implication if not for the sympathy Dr. Anderson was silently telegraphing my way. Clearly, he thought I’d been dealing with this bad attitude for days.
“Do you want someone else?”
“No, no, not at all.” Mason sighed. “I just want to be back on the field.”
Dr. Anderson turned his attention back to me. “How’s his shoulder?”
“It’s fine.” I stepped up and pulled up the notes I’d been keeping in my phone. “Range of motion is great, honestly. The sling is more for support and a reminder to his fans to take it easy when they approach him than it is to stabilize the shoulder. And he doesn’t seem to have much pain.” I glanced back at Mason. “His strength has mostly returned. Putting aside his head issues, I’d say he could be back on the field in three days.”
Dr. Anderson rubbed his chin thoughtfully and assessed Mason.
“See? I can play in three days,” Mason added.
The doctor’s mouth turned down. “That would be the case if it was only your shoulder we were concerned about. Your head is still the bigger issue.”
Mason threw his hands in the air. “I can’t just sit around and do nothing.”
Dr. Anderson arched a brow, obviously used to pushback like this. “Let’s start with some light cardio?—”
