Somewhere between the second and third episode, Lola had fallen asleep. I wasn’t sure if I should’ve stayed or left the second I tucked her in, but when I scooted over the bed to put my shoes back on, a small, fragile hand gripped mine and Lola’s soft voice followed.

“Stay,” was all she said, and upon hearing that one word, I knew I couldn’t leave even if it was the right thing to do. Seeing her so vulnerable and lost had made me want to protect her. I was also really fucking angry at Brie for not coming around to see her, even if she had been sworn away.

Lola looked so small as she snuggled into the three layers of blankets. Only her face was visible. The rest or her was hidden away. Every now and then I would place the small thermometer strip to her forehead to check her temperature. It was dipping at thirty-nine.

Her skin was clammy and her brows shone with a light sheen of sweat. I wasn’t sure if I should remove the layers of bedding or leave her be. She seemed calm enough so I left her that way and continued to watch two vampires vie for the same girl’s affection. Dicks.

I must’ve fallen asleep at some stage. The TV had turned itself off and the room, although dark, had a slight glow. I blinked back a few times and glanced at the window. Nothing but darkness met me and I turned to the side and glanced down at Lola. Her big, green eyes met mine and a small smile touched her lips.

“You snore,” she said pointedly, her eyes still focused on mine. I realised that the faint glow had come from the bedside lamp that sat on the dresser next to her. She had been watching me sleep.

“Do you make a habit of watching people sleep?” I smirked.

Taking in her features, I could see that she already looked much better than last night. Her cheeks still held a pink blush, though.

“I wasn’t watching you. I just woke up. And really? You should get that snoring checked out.”

I tipped my head back and laughed. “I don’t snore.”

“I know. I lied. But you do make these little tiny noises. Like little puffs here and there. Poof… Poof…” she teased. “It’s really kinda cute.”

“Yeah, alright,” I said, rolling my eyes. “What time is it?”

“A little after five, I think.”

“Shit. I should go,” I said, sitting up.

I had shown up here out of the blue last night and fallen asleep when I had only come round to check on her. Being around her and seeing her so out of it made me want to protect her, but I didn’t want to outstay my welcome any longer, no matter how much I enjoyed her company.

“Yeah, sorry. Thank you for last night. I haven’t slept that well in ages.”

“Well you did almost down an entire bottle of cough medicine.” I chuckled.

“Yeah, I guess that would knock anyone out.”

I shuffled to the edge of the bed and shoved my feet into my shoes. “How are you feeling?”

Sitting up, she tipped a bottle of water to her mouth and took a small sip, nodding. “Better. Much better, thank you.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Running my hands over my jeans, I stood up, bending to retrieve my jacket from the floor. “You should still rest, though.”

“Yes, Mum,” she replied, rolling her eyes in amusement.

I pointed a finger. “I’m serious.”

“Okay, okay, I get it. Sleep.”

“Good girl.”

I took one last look around the room and shook my head in amusement. Pulling the door open, I paused before I left. “If you need anything, text me. I’ve got practice until three, but I’m free after that.”

“I appreciate that, but honestly, I’m fine.”

I nodded once and said goodbye before closing the door behind me.

Practice kicked off with the usual muscle stretches and continuous laps around the field to get the blood pumping and muscles loose. I wasn’t a morning person, nor was I a practice person, especially when it came to stretching and warming up. I wanted to feel the ball beneath my feet. An hour into practice, coach had blown his whistle, indicating it was time for controlled passes. This was as good as it would get until we played the Albian.

Partnered up with my cousin, I dribbled the ball from my right and passed it to my left foot before rolling it across the field to where Jake was standing waiting for his touch. He caught it on his right foot and wasted no time passing it back. We went back and forth like that for maybe twenty minutes or so.

Jake, like me, loved football. He was damn good at it, too. We shared a passion for the game, whether it was playing or watching it on the big screen. We bounced off each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and it hadn’t gone unnoticed. Coach often commented on how well we played together.

Resting my heel against the ball, I watched as Jake bounced over to me, hands shoved in the pockets of his shorts and sweat lining his brow. He lifted his shirt and wiped it away.

“Where’d you get to last night? A few of us went out into town. I did call, but figured you got lucky when you didn’t answer.”

“Nah. Nothing like that.”

“Mate, you got lucky. Your face says it all, plus the fact you’ve been smiling like a dick since we got here.” He smirked and nudged the ball from under my foot, idly dribbling it from left to right.

I guessed Jake paid more attention than I gave him credit for. I hadn’t been able to think of much else since I’d left Lola in bed that morning. It was hard leaving her. When I paused in the doorway to her bedroom and told her she could call me if she needed anything, I had to fight the urge to rush back to her side and finish what we’d started the other night. On that thought, I glanced over to the lower left stand and grinned. It was hard not to think about the way her soft tits had felt pressed up against my chest, her warm breath mingling with my own, and the way she’d shivered in my arms. I’d never experienced anything sexier than the way Lola felt that night.

Even though I knew it was probably a bad idea, it hadn’t stopped me from wondering what would have happened or how far things would have gone if I hadn’t pulled away. The truth was, the way she made me feel scared the shit out of me. I didn’t just want to fuck Lola. I wanted her. And not just under me for one night.

“Hey, wake up!” Jake’s voice rang out, and before I had the chance to react, the ball came hurtling towards me and knocked me straight in the chest.

Clutching the ball to my stomach, winded, I ground out, “What the fuck was that for?” I tossed the ball back and missed.

“Mate, you spaced out on me. Away with the fairies again?” He smirked, seeming too pleased with himself.

“Whatever.” I shook my head. I couldn’t be annoyed at my cousin. Not when he was right. Again.

“Look. Why don’t just fuck her out your system and get it over with? All this brooding can’t be good for you.”

“It’s not like that,” I protested, knowing it was exactly that.

“Ah, so there is someone then?”

I shook my head again. “She’s just a friend. I think...”

Was she? I mean, we’d hung out a few times, mainly to study. Did she even see me as anything more than her project from Coach? Up until recently, I hadn’t even been sure she liked me at all.

“If she’s just a friend then what’s the problem? She’s either a friend or she isn’t. How hard can it be to decide on that?”

“She is. A friend, that is... I like her. She’s cool. Different.”

“Uh-oh.”

“What?”

“When a girl is different, there is usually something more to it.”

“How would you know?” I frowned. “You’re just like me. Fuck ‘em and leave, right?”

“No. That’s you. Or was you. I’m just not prepared to settle for anything less than what I want. Sadly, I haven’t found want I want just yet, but when I do…”

“You going all soft on me, cuz?”

“No, but I’m starting to think that we’re more alike than you think.” He raised his eyebrows.

“Fuck that,” I finally managed to say, and kicked the ball farther down the pitch. “I said she’s cool. That doesn’t mean I want to marry the girl.”

“Maybe not yet, no.” He shrugged. “Someday, though.”

“Dick,” I muttered under my breath just as Coach blew the final whistle, marking the end of practice.

I showered and changed into clean clothes before leaving the gym for the day. A few of the guys were headed to mine to watch play-by-plays, preparing for tomorrow’s game. Usually, that meant they’d end up getting wasted and regretting it in the next day. I’d soon realised, after the first few times that happened, that football wasn’t as serious for some of the guys as it was for Jake and me. Under normal circumstances without a game the next day, I’d have joined them, but I needed a clear head for the match.

Speaking of clear heads…

I checked my phone straight after practice had finished, hoping Lola had texted me, but she hadn’t. A sense of disappointment filled me. After last night, I’d half expected her to call or at the very least message me. I guessed I needed to brush up on my nursing skills. That, or she had finally realised I wasn’t worth shit. I tried not to think too much about it as I snuck into the house and made my way up the stairs and out onto the rooftop terrace.

It was a little after four and still fairly light out as I pushed through the heavy door and took my usual spot on the wall. I could sit out there for hours just watching the world fade to black. Most days, I did. I let the darkness take over the day, bringing with it the quiet that I craved so much.

Just as I pushed my back against the wall and released a sigh, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I was half hoping it was Lola, and half hoping it was Jake saying the guys had changed their minds.

I laughed, remembering how messy Lola’s room had been. Room…?

I let the phone dangle in my hand. What was wrong with me? This hot as hell chick was inviting me to her house, probably into her room, and I was sat there trying to decide whether I should go or not.

I didn’t reply.

I jogged down the stairs an hour later to find the guys sitting in the games room laughing. Music played in the background and I could see they had a game showing on the TV but none of them were watching. I shook my head and walked into the kitchen. Beer cans littered the worktops, and a noise that sounded very much like girls giggling came from the backyard.

Great. So much for an early night.

As I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and closed the door, I heard someone call my name. Putting a foot out into the hallway, I leaned against the doorframe and rolled my eyes.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Mel?” I asked, twisting the cap off the bottle and taking a swig.

“Mate, I thought you could use the distraction,” Jake said as he entered the kitchen from the garden. He must’ve been outside with the girls. “It’s her or the girl, right?”

I shrugged him off, annoyed he’d even do this. “What the fuck, Jake?”

“I thought I was doing you a favour.”

“By inviting that around?”

“Umm... I have a name. One you’ve moaned quite often, actually,” Mel piped up, sarcasm dripping from every word.

“Go home, Mel,” I said, shrugging my cousin off.

Jake pulled me back and I glared at him. He knew how to fuck with me but lucky for him, he also knew when to stop.

“Sorry, mate. I didn’t think.”

“You never do,” I said, pushing past him. I avoided another glance Melanie’s way and moved around her to the door, snatching up Jake’s car keys on the way.

What the fuck was he thinking inviting her over? He didn’t even like her. Was I that messed up over Lola that he felt the need to use Melanie as a distraction? He was a dick for even thinking I would go there again.

Needing to get away, I hopped into the car and tore down the road. I would deal with him tomorrow.