Say I love you

17

After walking Anna and Stacy home, I found myself alone in my bedroom, bathed in the subdued glow of the bedside lamp. Silence enveloped the room, interrupted only by the soft whisper of the wind caressing the curtains. My mind was in turmoil, swirling through a thousand thoughts.Jordan's reaction still resonated in my mind, like a persistent echo. His behavior had been so excessive, so disconcerting. I struggled to understand why he'd reacted the way he had. After all, he and I were nothing more than recent acquaintances. His reaction seemed out of proportion, almost out of place. But maybe I was wrong. Perhaps I had underestimated his interest in me, and his reaction was merely a reflection of budding feelings.Sighing in frustration, I take off my T-shirt with the aim of replacing it with pyjamas, but my gaze meets Bradley's through my window. My heart misses a beat as I realize I'm not wearing a bra. I hastily close my window, hiding behind the slightly ajar curtains. Bradley is still there, standing in front of his window, his piercing gaze fixed on mine. A palpable tension builds between us as our eyes meet.I sigh in shame as I realize he's not alone. Jordan is also in his room, his window uncovered by curtains. My phone, lying on my bed, suddenly vibrates. Without knowing why, deep down I know it's him. I rush to my mobile and read the message on the screen: "You're hiding your lemons, why? Lol".My cheeks flush with embarrassment, as I'd expected. That's him, he's got a lot of nerve: "You know what my lemons tell you?" I tap on my keyboard to send it to him, his reply coming quickly: "That they crave the warmth of my hands?""Try again."He sends me a laughing sticker, a few seconds pass before he sends me another message, "So, I guess they're craving the warmth of my lips."I don't bother to reply and open my window curtains. As I expected, he's still stopped in front of his, a smile hanging on his lips: "You should come over, Jordan's here, I'm sure he'd enjoy talking with you.""Lol, I'm not coming over to your place, and then we might as well keep pretending we don't know each other.""Are you referring to this morning?"I slowly raise my head to look at him, but his arrogant smile persists, defying any attempt to break it. His eyes sparkle with a teasing gleam as I try to hide the impact of his presence on me."What happened this morning?" I asked, feigning ignorance of the subtle distance he'd established between us."You act as if I don't affect you," he surely replied in a mocking tone."And I do," I replied, trying to maintain an impassive facade despite the shiver that runs down my spine with every word he sends my way."I enjoyed our night last night," he confesses, provoking a reaction in me that I try hard to conceal.I roll my eyes in exaggeration, knowing full well that his message has struck a chord with me. I even catch myself cracking a silly smile, which almost makes me feel ashamed."I regretted it," I tapped on my keyboard, trying to maintain some emotional distance."I bet your panties don't feel the same way, given that you've probably got them wet by now," he sent at me with disconcerting audacity, making my cheeks flush red with embarrassment."can you go f**k yourself?""you should come" "give me one good reason why I should come?""because Jordan's here?" "Jordan thinks there's something going on between us, I don't think I have a chance with him anymore.""He wants to talk to you, should I give him my cell phone?""Especially not," I hurried to reply, afraid that if he gave Jordan his phone, Jordan would see our messages""So, come on."I let out a sigh and head out of my room in my pajamas, since it's already getting late. Well, it's not that late, but I was about to go to sleep. When I arrive at his door, I give three knocks against the wood. A few seconds later, he opens the door, looking me up and down as if I were a laboratory animal."So, where is Jordan?" "Come in."He shifts from the door and I enter without hesitation. He beats me to it, climbing the stairs to his room. When we arrive, I note with annoyance that Jordan is gone.- Where's Jordan? "He's gone to the corner shop to buy a few things," he replies nonchalantly, as if the situation didn't concern him in the least.I take a deep breath, turning slowly toward Bradley, crossing my arms nonchalantly against my body. I sway from one foot to the other, trying to conceal the effect he has on me, even though his insolent attitude irritates me to no end by reminding me how much of a hold he has over my emotions.As he settles nonchalantly on his bed, my gaze falls on Jordan, who returns with a white bag in hand. His almost surprised expression as he meets my gaze leaves me puzzled, as if he hadn't expected to see me here."Kimberly?" he calls out, breaking the silence in the room.Behind me, Bradley, sitting on his bed, places a careless hand on my waist and draws me gently onto his lap. Surprised, I let out an involuntary little cry, revealing my confusion at this unexpected situation."Kimy just wanted to stop by and say hello," he declares with a mocking smile. "I hope you don't mind her presence and that she can stay with us?""N-no..."As Jordan finishes his sentence, a slight silence hangs over the room, giving way to palpable tension. Suddenly, the creak of Bradley's bedroom door is heard, echoing through the room. The frame fills with the imposing figure of Alexander, accompanied by several other members of their respective teams. The red of embarrassment tints my cheeks as their surprised gazes land on me, like an unexpected intrusion into their masculine, athletic world."Kimberly?" blurts Alexander, his voice laced with surprise reverberating around the room like a distant echo. His questioning gaze speaks volumes about his perplexity at my unexpected presence in this men-only place. The other guys exchange puzzled glances, trying to understand what could have brought such an intrusion into their usually exclusive sanctuary.A slight chill runs down my spine as I feel myself being scrutinized by these male gazes, as if I'd done something wrong by daring to enter their private sphere. The tension in the air is palpable, creating an atmosphere charged with questioning and unease. Alexander, visibly taken aback by my presence, tries to hide his surprise behind a mask of assurance, but his eyes betray a curiosity mingled with incomprehension.