The Off-Season by Megan Green

Author:Megan Green [Green, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-01-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Lexi

If God does exist, I’m convinced he hates me.

Not only for all the mistakes I’ve made in the past, but also because there’s no other explanation for why he’s stranded Ian in my living room, clad in only my giant pink sweatshirt and a towel.

Fuck my life.

I can’t send him home. His clothes are in my dryer, which is now dead, thanks to the powers that be. Why, when all I want is to be alone with my thoughts and inappropriate desires, does this happen?

I’ll tell you why.

Because God hates me.

I watch as Ian leans into the fireplace, arranging a small pile of logs he pulled from my back patio. Thankfully, I’d had the foresight to cover them with a tarp; otherwise, we might have frozen to death in the safety of my own home.

When I bought the place, I found it quaint that a wood-burning fireplace was its only source of heat. But, now, as my fingers have already started to stiffen in the chill, I realize how stupid I was. I mean, it’s the twenty-first century. Things like a gas furnace should be a given.

Ian gets the fire started almost immediately though, sitting down cross-legged in front of it as it roars to life. He turns and smiles at me over his shoulder, patting the floor next to him. “Come sit. I promise I won’t bite.”

I choke on a breath, my thoughts returning to my earlier fantasy. I can’t say I would mind if he did bite.

I spin back into the kitchen, yanking open the microwave, and pull out the lukewarm mugs of cocoa. I hand him his when I reach him, taking a seat at least five feet away instead of the spot directly next to him where he indicated.

He doesn’t seem fazed though, taking a swig of the cocoa as I arrange myself.

Once I’m settled, I apologize for the crappy drink. “Sorry it’s not very hot. I’m sure we can find something to put over the flames if you want to heat it a little more.”

He smiles at me. “It’s perfect. I’ve always liked it a little better once it’s not scalding. Easier to drink.”

I take a gulp of mine, relishing in the silky smoothness of the chocolate. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a cup of cocoa, and as the liquid runs down my throat, I realize he’s right. It’s so much better when you don’t have to worry about scorching off all your taste buds.

We sit in silence for a while, watching the flames as we finish our drinks. When his mug is empty, he sets it on the hearth of the fireplace. He turns his face to mine and scoots himself a little bit closer.

I see a flash of something I can’t quite place in his eyes as he looks at me, and I swear, it looks as if he’s clenching his teeth.

Taking a deep breath, as if steeling himself for what’s to come, he speaks, “I know you don’t like to talk about yourself, Lexi.

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