“No! Go away!” I yell, my voice muffled by the pillow.
The door creaks open anyway and I sense Noah standing over me.
“Hey, don’t beat yourself up over this,” he says. “It was an accident. Even the best of us have a nip slip from time to time.”
I narrow my eyes. “Like you’ve ever had a nip slip.”
“Dude,” he laughs. “One of my balls straight up slipped out of my pants in a scrum drill once.”
I can’t help but snort, and lift my head to glare at him. “That did not happen to you! And as for my ‘accident’, as you put it, you and Jayden both seemed to find it hilarious.”
Noah grins. “What can I say? You have nice nipples.”
I smack his arm, but can’t help cracking a smile. His teasing makes me feel a little better.
“There’s that pretty smile,” Noah says, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “It’s just us here, Dylan. No need to be embarrassed.”
I sigh, sitting up. “I know. I just hate feeling like the butt of some joke. And it really felt like you guys just didn’t think I could carry the equipment by myself, even though I’ve done it a million times before.”
Noah tilts my chin up to meet his gaze. “You’re not a joke to me. Never could see you like that, especially after watching you in those game recordings.” His voice is earnest now. “Nipple aside, we likely would have asked you if we could help anyway. Just like we would have asked any of the other guys, too!”
My heart flutters as his face inches closer to mine. When his lips meet mine, the lingering awkwardness melts away. Before I can think too much about it, I’m kissing him back.
Kissing roommates wasn’t on my agenda, but it sure as hell is fun, especially when they look like this.
Maybe this nip slip wasn’t such a disaster after all.
Chapter 13
Dylan
Islideintothepassenger seat of Noah’s car, my gym bag at my feet. The equipment box is safely ensconced in the back seat, and I eventually let Noah help me carry it there without freaking out again. My stomach is a bundle of nerves, but I try to play it cool.
After kissing me, he’d simply left the room, and neither of us have brought it up again. It’s almost as if I imagined it. And now, here we are, a new day. It’s clear he doesn’t intend to bring it up, and there’s no way I can let my focus be derailed by one—okay, two—roommate kisses.
“Ready for day one, captain?” Noah asks, flashing me a grin as he pulls out of the parking lot.
“Assistant captain. And as ready as I’ll ever be,” I say, letting out a shaky laugh. Get it together, Dylan. I’m still blown away that the club has taken a chance on me, let alone in a leadership role like this. It feels like everything I’ve ever dreamed of is all finally starting to happen.
Noah goes on about how stoked he is for the leadership program, even if some of the exercises sound a bit fluffy.
My thoughts drift as I stare out the window, psyching myself up. It’s cute that he’s excited, but I need to get my head in the game. This is my chance to prove I’ve got what it takes. No more bench warming or politics blocking my path.
“Earth to Dylan?” Noah’s voice breaks through my inner pep talk.
“Huh? Oh yeah, sorry,” I say, feeling my cheeks flush. “Just getting in the zone. I heard there’s some woo-woo stuff too, but I’m into that.”
Noah chuckles. “Let me guess—crystals, vision boards, sage smudging?”
“You know it,” I say with a dramatic sigh. “I’m a total woo girl.”
The other rugby girls used to make fun of me for it, but they shut up a little after I bought them each a custom crystal and they started seeing the results a tiny bit of what manifestation can do if you put your mind to it.
Noah shakes his head, amused. As he pulls into the parking lot, I feel a nervous thrill run through me. This is my time to shine.
“So what’s the deal with Jayden?” I can’t help but ask, trying to sound casual as we walk into the training center. Clearly, I’m not very good at compartmentalizing, but I just can’t let this go. “Does he always blow hot and cold like this, or is it just me?”
Noah holds the door open for me. “Nah, don’t take it personally. Jayden’s just kind of territorial in general. He likes his space.”