She's Got Game Read online

  “I do, but you don’t need it. He’s pacing outside the door. I’ll send him in.”

  “Make sure he brushes his teeth first.” The joke sounded as weak as I felt, but I didn’t want either of them to know how much the whole thing shook me. What if this had happened in New York? I always carried EpiPens in my bag, but Cody wouldn’t have known that. Or what to do. Stupid. What if I’d passed out and an ambulance hadn’t made it in time?

  I expected Holly to come back with him, but when the door clicked shut, only Cody stood there. He looked stricken. I suddenly became very aware that I was lying in his bed, alone in his hotel room. Smelling the sheets he’d slept in the night before, my head on his pillows.

  I struggled into a sitting position so he wouldn’t be staring down at me, making everything even more awkward.

  “You know, this wasn’t how I’d dreamed of getting you into bed.” His tone told me he was joking, so I offered a thin smile. This scene wasn’t exactly part of my fantasies, either.

  “Sorry I drooled on your pillow.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I am so, so sorry,” he said. “I had no idea.”

  “Well, now you know why I don’t go around kissing random strangers.”

  “I guess so. Do you need to go to the hospital?”

  Probably, but given how I felt about doctors since my mother’s abandonment, nope. I couldn’t even watch Grey’s Anatomy, despite Holly’s insistence that it was one of the greatest shows ever. Cody didn’t need to hear that. I’d see a doctor when necessary, but this wasn’t one of those times. Considering that I didn’t actually eat any peanuts, I’d gotten any minute bits out of my mouth, and I’d taken enough medication to knock out an elephant, I preferred to remain at the hotel. I had a competition to win in the morning.

  “No, I should be fine, now that I’ve erased all signs of your kiss.” I forced a chuckle to take the bite out of my words. “I’ll get checked out tomorrow if I don’t feel better.”

  “Thank God Holly was there.”

  “I always have the pen. Anyone could’ve given me the shot.” If I hadn’t been so wrapped up in the kiss, I’d have recognized the early signs and gone for the pen myself. I’d gotten distracted and nearly died in the arms of the one guy I never wanted to know my biggest weakness. Just my luck.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were allergic?”

  “It never came up. There weren’t any peanuts at the party, so I didn’t think about it.”

  “Yeah, I had a candy bar in the elevator on the way over,” he said.

  “I wasn’t planning to kiss you. From the look on your face when Holly dared me, you didn’t want to kiss me, either.”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Oh, yeah? Then why did you look like you were being led toward a guillotine?”

  He grinned a little before shifting his gaze toward the floor and mumbling something.

  “Sorry, I didn’t hear that.”

  “I said, I didn’t want our first kiss to be on a dare, in front of a bunch of drunk strangers.” His eyes met mine, sending a shot of warmth through me.

  Embarrassment, or maybe acid reflux. Possibly a lingering effect of being unconscious.

  “You mean our only kiss,” I corrected him.

  “I don’t know about that. You seemed pretty into it.”

  “Right before you cut off my air supply.”

  “Did I mention how sorry I am?”

  “It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known.” I tried to crack another smile at him, but the medication oozing through my veins turned it into more of a yawn. “But I hope you understand I’m not about to lean in for another one.”

  “Too bad. Because honestly, the kiss was pretty awesome. Before you passed out, I didn’t want it to end.”

  I didn’t either, to be honest, but he didn’t need to know. This whole thing was a sign from the universe, telling me very clearly to “STAY AWAY.” Unfortunately, I didn’t know what to say, so I coughed a couple of times and looked away. The silence stretched between us and finally, I met his gaze.

  All at once, I felt like a total jerk. Naturally, it wasn’t my fault I suffered an allergic reaction. But even after seeing I’d be fine, his face was white as a sheet under his tan. He must’ve felt terrible when I dropped to the ground. I hadn’t even acknowledged his statement about the quality of the kiss, and now it seemed too late.

  He shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the door. The chasm of awkwardness between us grew.

  “I should get out of your room,” I said, even as my eyes started to flutter shut. “Let you get some peace.”

  “No, it’s not that. I thought I heard someone at the door.” He sat on the edge of the bed, clasping my hand between his. “Am I too close? Will my breath kill you? I brushed!”

  “As long as you maintain an appropriate distance, I’ll be fine. Just don’t kiss me again.”

  “I’ll try. It might not be easy.”

  A mess of feelings fluttered inside me at his words. I hated the way I responded to Cody. He was still the enemy. Not a competitor, but the competitor. The number one person to beat. The returning champion, rated most likely to win this year by virtually everyone. The guy still in first place after two and a half rounds.

  Besides, I still didn’t know if I trusted him. He seemed so nice, so genuine, but so had Don. Cody helped me and Shannon with Lucas, but didn’t try to see me outside the competition, even though we both lived in Boston. He seemed interested in New York, but didn’t make a move, despite having the perfect opportunity. Again, he never texted.

  Sure, he kissed me tonight—on a dare. With a roomful of people watching. Some guys always rose to the challenge. That didn’t mean anything. Neither did coming to talk to me after, since that was the thing to do after you nearly killed a girl with your lips. Plus, I was in his room, so it’s not like he could avoid me.

  If he wanted to throw me off my game by making me like him, this apology would be part of the playbook. I hated how much being around him messed with my emotions. When Cody was near me, I didn’t know up from down.

  Not knowing what else to say, I thanked him for helping. “Is Holly still out there? She’ll make sure I get back to our room.”

  “No problem.” He reached over and placed one hand over my mouth. Then, he leaned in and gently placed a kiss on the barrier he’d created.

  My heart skipped a beat at the tenderness of the gesture. When he stood, I stared up at him, trying to reconcile the very confident guy who once joked about groupies at the gaming tables with the man standing in front of me.

  Then he ruined the moment by speaking. “Get some rest. I want you at your best when I kick your ass tomorrow.”

  With a snort, I threw a pillow at him. It hit the back of the door right before Holly re-entered. She glanced from it to me, then quirked an eyebrow. “Something I should know?”

  “Nah,” I said. “Just Cody being Cody.”

  Holly helped me out of the bed, and we walked in silence back to our room. I hoped I hadn’t ruined whatever fun she’d planned for the night. Maybe it wasn’t too late for her. Me, all I wanted was to get some sleep.

  I laid in bed for a long time after the lights went out, thinking about Cody. Wondering if the way he treated me was all part of the game, or if there was something real between us.

  Part IV: Chicago

  Gallivanting Gwen

  August 25

  According to the Boomers, my generation is ruining everything. We’ve destroyed housing, despite the fact that we can’t afford to buy anything on the super low wages they’ve ensured we get (and guess who drove up home prices? Spoiler alert: not us). We’ve destroyed chain restaurants (which have been systematically ruining the character of places like NYC, so good riddance). We’ve destroyed beer, because we choose our taste buds over the nasty big bra
nds.

  But you know what we haven’t ruined (yet)? PIZZA. Millennials love pizza, which is one of many reasons I was so excited to land in Chicago this morning. I know some people have very strong opinions about Chicago-style vs. New York. You’re welcome to them. Here’s the thing, guys: it’s melted cheese and tomato sauce on bread. Thick crust, thin crust, stuffed crust, whatever. Gimmee.

  Chapter 11

  This year, Chicago hosted the Explorers of Islay semi-finals. I’d been in Napa touring wineries earlier in the week, so I stayed an extra night and flew from California on Friday evening.

  The tiny plane didn’t contain overhead bins, so I wound up having to gate-check my bag. Not the end of the world—it happened a lot, actually—but due to some airline glitch all gate checked bags went to the main baggage claim on the lower level instead of being available for pickup at the gate.

  Tapping my foot, I tried not to growl out my frustration. Picking up checked baggage wasted so much time. I’d spent weeks researching the perfect carry-on for my graduation gift from Dad, solely to maximize space and save on time lost checking and picking up my bag. Darn it.

  The flight attendant said we’d be at baggage claim number three, but my flight wasn’t listed on the screen. As I debated whether to wait or check all the other claim areas, my stomach growled. Usually I bought food in the airport to carry on the plane, because they might not have food other than peanuts (which they couldn’t even serve in my section). Thanks to a massive hold-up at security, though, I didn’t have enough time. The flight had food to order, but bad luck—by the time they got to me, only the Thai wrap with peanut sauce was left. I bought a box of granola, but that’s not much of a dinner.

  By the time I finally found the right carousel, it was almost eight o’clock Chicago time. My stomach escalated from growling to howling. I’d also doubled my resolve to never, ever check a bag if possible. Had I picked up my bag at the gate, I’d be halfway through my dinner.

  As soon as my hand finally closed around my lime green roller bag, some of the tension eased from my shoulders. My room should be ready, so it was time to find a restroom, grab my ride, and ask if they’d stop at a drive through on the way. With luck, I’d be ensconced on a couch, eating fast food tacos and watching bad reality TV within the hour.

  On my search for the ladies’ room, I skidded to a halt at the sound of a familiar voice. Of course I’d known Cody would also be in Chicago for the semi-finals, but since I hadn’t flown from Boston, it never occurred to me that I might run into him at the airport. Or that he’d be pacing and talking on the phone at the end of the hallway leading to the restrooms. To get to the ladies’ room, I’d have to walk right past him. If he turned around, he’d spot me immediately.

  There was probably another bathroom somewhere. Most likely, I could find it without peeing my pants and passing out from hunger. I was about to turn around when snippets of his conversation reached my ears.

  “Come on, you’re not being fair,” he said. “I can do this.”

  Work? Or something related to the competition?

  “I want to be there.” Cody let out a huge sigh, and my throat grew thick.

  I shouldn’t be eavesdropping. His tone sounded like a personal conversation. I should go. Unless he was about to reveal his nefarious plan to rig the tournament, which seemed unlikely at best, nothing he said would benefit me. I shouldn’t even care.

  Just when I decided to leave, my phone rang. Crap. I’d forgotten I’d turned it on when I landed. Cody spun around, and I silenced a call from Dad, probably checking to make sure I made it to Chicago okay. He’d have to wait. My face grew warm when Cody’s eyes met mine. Something I couldn’t identify flashed across his face, and I wondered who he was talking to.

  “I’ll call you back,” he said into the phone.

  I inched backward, but Cody held one hand up to stop me. Theoretically, I could’ve walked away, but I’d be spending the rest of the weekend with the guy, so if he wanted to yell at me for eavesdropping, better to get it out of the way now. After a pause, he said, “You, too.”

  The floor stubbornly refused to open up and swallow me, so I sent Dad a quick text while he ended his call. Safe in Chicago. Slight delay. Will call after I get to my room.

  “So, I guess you heard that,” Cody said, raking one hand through his hair.

  “I wasn’t listening,” I said. “I’m just looking for the restroom.”

  He pointed to a door about three feet behind him. “Can we talk when you get out?”

  Praying the restroom contained another exit, I nodded. The last thing I wanted to do after a miserable flight trapped against the wall by a screaming two-year-old was listen to Cody brag about why he’d win a spot in the finals. Or ask about me listening to his personal conversation. Short of turning and running, though, there wasn’t a lot I could do, especially when I still needed to pee.

  Unfortunately, we were at the airport, not characters in a rom-com, and sneaking out a window wasn’t in the cards for me. With a resigned sigh, after fixing my hair—stalling, NOT primping—I returned to the scene of the crime.

  An empty hallway waited. With a sigh of relief, I bolted for the exit. I’d head to the taxi lane, grab a car, and leave this awful day behind in a bucket of guacamole.

  Or maybe I’d think about Cody more. How he looked good even fresh off an airplane. That thick, lustrous hair. Those big brown eyes. Soft lips. I wished I didn’t remember how soft.

  If my thoughts continued to barrel down that dangerous slope, I was in for a long, sleepless night later. I forced myself to list the things I didn’t like about him.

  He’s C. McKay.

  He’s so hot.

  He’s my #1 competitor.

  He’s only pretending to like me when it’s convenient for him.

  He’s such a good kisser.

  He’s hiding something, if that phone call and all those texts are any indication.

  The object of my inner turmoil stepped into the entrance at the end of the hall, a cup of coffee in each hand. Even though he couldn’t possibly know I’d been thinking about our kiss, suddenly I felt even more embarrassed than when he caught me eavesdropping.

  He held one of the cups out, but I shook my head. “Thanks, but I don’t drink coffee.”

  The cup jiggled under my nose. “Come on. I got your favorite. Chai tea with extra whipped cream.”

  “How did you know?” Wondering if this were a trick, I reached for it.

  “I read your blog.”

  His words nearly made me drop the cup. Cody didn’t seem like a travel enthusiast. “Why?”

  “Oh, come on, Gwen, you know why.”

  “You’re hoping that one of these days I’ll blog about a weakness and you’ll use it to take my spot in the finals?”

  His face dropped. “You think so little of me?”

  “I don’t know. You’re an enigma. You flirt with me when we’re playing, then ignore me between rounds. That night in Boston, I was sure you’d ask for my number, but you vanished instead. It’s like you’re playing some sort of game, but I don’t know the rules.”

  “I was giving you space to help your friend.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “But if you liked me, you’d have asked me to text an update. Or messaged me on Instagram. You never reached out after you tried to kiss me in New York, either, or after we actually kissed in Charlotte. I know you said you don’t want a hookup, but it seemed like all of the flirting was a game, a way of throwing me off. You never followed up when you might’ve had a chance to turn this into something real.”

  “In New York, I was about to kiss you when you ran away.” His thoughts must’ve been going in the same direction as mine. “Why would I kiss you if I didn’t like you?”

  “Beats me. Because that’s how hookups start? Maybe you enjoy reminding yourself how attractive wo
men find you? How should I know?”

  “You’re attracted to me?”

  “Is this why you wanted to talk to me? To flatter your own ego?”

  “You find me attractive.” His smug tone made me want to chuck my chai at him and stomp away. He must’ve sensed it, because he quickly said, “It’s okay. The feeling is very mutual. When I first saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.”

  Well, damn. I couldn’t flounce out now. Unbidden, a smile spread across my face. “You’re not so bad yourself. But I still don’t hook up with gamers.”

  “I still don’t want a hookup. I like you. I told you that before,” he said. “Besides, you seemed to like kissing me at the party.”

  “Until I almost died? It won’t happen again. Relationships aren’t my thing.” By this time, we’d reached the taxi lane. “Thanks for the drink, but I’ve got to get going.”

  “Share a cab with me. Please. My job used to send me all over, so I’m used to traveling by myself. It’s nice to have someone to talk to for a change.”

  My initial inclination was to say no, but since this was the first time he’d shared something about himself not related to gaming, part of me wanted to hear more. “Where are you staying?” Please be across town from me.

  “A few blocks from the hotel.”

  Of course. Me, too. “Well…. I guess I wouldn’t mind saving a few bucks.”

  The driver loaded our bags into the trunk. Cody held the door while I slid into the back seat. When he sat beside me, our thighs brushed, sending a jolt of electricity up my leg. He must’ve felt it, too, because his breath caught.

  Our eyes met. My mouth went dry, and my tongue darted out to moisten my lips. His eyes followed. The heat in his gaze when he looked back up made me lightheaded. “Gwen….”

  His hand came up to push a lock of hair out of my face, behind one ear. His hand lingered, and I shut my eyes, savoring the feel of his touch. I wasn’t supposed to want this, but I couldn’t deny the effect he had on me. Every time we ran into each other, the chemistry was palpable. Especially when we were alone.