End Game

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Aurora

The warm, eucalyptus-scented air wrapped around me as I sank into the cushioned spa chair, my mind still a storm of last night's mess. Callie sat beside me, already sighing in contentment as her nail tech got to work. She'd messaged me this morning to meet her here, and I didn't hesitate to say yes. After Nate asked me to leave, I needed her—needed to unload everything. And knowing Samuel, he'd probably already spilled the news about my unexpected overnight stay at the Football House. Callie's invitation was part kindness, part strategy. I could see it in her eyes: she wanted the details.

Now, sitting side by side, her sly grin confirmed it. She was dying to ask. And me? I couldn't help but feel stupid.

Showing up at Nate's door had been reckless. I'd told myself it was worth the risk—high risk, high reward. I thought he'd be the type to take what I offered without strings, that I could use him as a distraction from William and everything else crashing down around me. I didn't want to think, didn't want to feel. I just wanted Nate.

But it hadn't been just sex. It felt like more. And that terrified me.

I forced myself to focus on the spa tech shaping my nails, bracing for Callie's first question. When it came, her voice was playful, almost gleeful.

"So, Rory," she drawled, crossing her legs and arching her brows, "you just... show up at the Football House after breaking up with William?" She gasped dramatically. "Such a scandal. Who knew the prim and proper Aurora Westbrook had it in her?"

I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Oh my God, Callie," I groaned, laughing despite myself. "I wasn't thinking at all."

"Right," she said, rolling her eyes like she didn't buy a word of it. "And you just happened to end up at Nate's place. Funny how that works."

Her grin made my stomach twist. I looked away, guilt pressing down on me. "When I broke up with William, it was like this huge weight lifted—but then I felt completely lost. I didn't want to be alone. And the first person I thought of was Nate."

"Of course he was," she laughed, giving me a knowing wink. "Samuel already told me you spent the night, so... let's cut to the good stuff."

"God, I'm such an idiot," I muttered, heat rushing to my cheeks.

"You're not an idiot." She shook her head, though her teasing smile gave her away. "You're just... an impulsive horn-dog."

"Wow. That's supposed to make me feel better?"

She shrugged, smirking. "A little?"

We both laughed, but the tension in my chest didn't ease. I hadn't been ready for what happened with Nate. And now? I had no idea where we stood.

Callie leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper as her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Alright, enough buildup—was the sex good? Is he... big? He's got serious big-dick energy. I can feel it." She wiggled her brows, biting back her laughter. "Come on, Rory. I need all the details."

I laughed too loud and caught myself glancing at the nail tech, who gave us a polite, bemused look. "Callie," I hissed, trying to keep my voice down. "Can you keep it down?"

"Oh, please, she doesn't mind," Callie waved, eyes already sparkling with expectation. "We're talking about Nate fucking Johnson here. Come on, out with it, already."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, but a smile leaked out anyway. "It was... amazing," I admitted, lowering my voice. "Like, the best sex I've ever had."

"Better than William?" she whispered, eyebrows lifted.