Ricochet by Lore Ree

—”
    “Yes?” I leaned toward her. “We could?”
    Moving so close her breath washed over my face, Noelle whispered, “Stay in?”
    I’d been waiting for that invitation all morning or at least since she walked in my room, so I pressed my lips to hers quickly. One of us whimpered. It might have been me.
    I didn’t realize how much I’d grown accustomed to her kisses, how much I’d missed her mouth against mine. She started to pull back, but I curled my hand around the back of her neck to hold her close. I didn’t know what was going to happen once this moment was over. Would we jump right back into playing games? I appreciated this moment where both our guards were down.
    My phone rang.
    Noelle jumped, but I cradled her face to keep our mouths together. “Ignore it.”
    It kept ringing, and I’d never hated the sound of my ringtone more.
    “It might be important.”
    “It’s not.” Nothing was more important than her and what we were doing right now. I moved to kiss her neck and snaked my arm around her waist. I leaned her back when five simple words sucked out all the energy in the room.
    “What if it’s your girlfriend?”
    I flinched as if I’d been smacked with an accusation. “What are you talking about?” My voice wasn’t harsh, but it wasn’t kind, either. “I don’t have a girlfriend. Where’d you get that from?”
    “No one.” She shrugged only one shoulder this time. She wasn’t looking at me, and that pissed me off.
    “I’m not an asshole.” I tapped my thighs. It was the only thing I could think to do to calm down. “I didn’t have a girl when I met you, and I don’t have one now. If I did she would be here with me, not you.”
    “I know you didn’t have a girlfriend when I met you.” Her voice was tight, and her eyes narrowed. Her defensiveness was fucking priceless since I was the one she accused of being a player or some kind of cheater. That was never and would never be my MO “A lot could’ve happened in a month.” She put some distance between us. “For all I know, your new girlfriend’s planning on surprising us here.”
    This was déjà vu—an argument I’d had many times before. I wasn’t about to have it now or with anyone again. “If you’re talking about the bullshit going on with your girl and Warren—”
    “I’m not. Not really. Forget it.” She darted from the bed. “I should go.”
    I moved to the door and blocked her way before she could leave.
    “Hey.” I bent my knees so we were eye level. “Don’t go. Don’t be mad. We were just …” having a good time? I wasn’t sure what to say. I didn’t want her to leave upset. “You’re not mad because my boy is dicking over your girl, are you?” I tried to smile, keep my voice friendly.
    “Of course not!” She screwed up her face. “You have nothing to do with their drama.”
    “Then what’s up? What’s with the switch?” I jutted my chin toward the bed where I wanted us to be instead of standing by the door in a soft argument. “Everything seemed good. Then you started copping an attitude like I did something to you.”
    “I’m sorry.” She frowned, and it made me feel like shit. I hadn’t meant to snap at her.
    “Nah.” I shook my head and pinched her side. I didn’t want an apology, just an explanation. “Don’t apologize. You have no reason to be sorry. Just tell me what’s up?”
    “Nothing’s up!” The words were a rushed lie, and we both knew it, but it wasn’t worth dwelling on.
    “Come.” I grabbed her hand. If we stayed in the room, that’s what we would have done: dwell. Maybe even find something else to argue about. “Let’s go find everyone, get some lunch, and make sure our friends don’t kill each other.”
    Rallying the crew was a flop. I left my phone in the room, Corey and his girl weren’t in theirs. We decided it was best to let Warren and his girls settle their drama on their own. Whatever had him trying to be incognito this morning