Jenna

I'm waiting at the gate for my flight home after a long week in Vegas. It would have been so much more enjoyable if it hadn't been for Max. The jerk somehow found me at each event and couldn't help but plant himself right next to me the whole time. Dealing with him was exhausting.

The only reprieve I got was when I left to see Mom and Lance. Max sure as fuck couldn't follow me there. Because I was so mentally worn out from dealing with Max, I hardly had the capacity to figure out my shit with Tanner. By the last day, I finally just said screw it and decided to stop avoiding him when I get back. I'll figure out what's going on between us when I return.

I'm texting Lindsey back when I hear the last voice I want to hear coming up behind me. "Jen? You're on this flight too? Well, isn't this fun?"

Fucking son of a bitch! I can't catch a fucking break. I thought this asshole took an earlier flight.

I curse under my breath as Max moves into the open seat next to me. "You know, I'd say we should get dinner when we land, but I already have plans."

Good for you dickbag. "Congratulations."

Max moves his arm, so it's resting on the back of my seat. "It's with your new hotshot right-wing."

Okay, that's a surprise to me. I didn't think Max would actually manage to bag a meeting with Tanner. I try not to look shocked. "Okay, good luck with that, Max."

Max is about to respond when my group is called to board. Thank God! I don't spare Max another look before racing away.

Please, if anyone out there is listening, please don't let that asshole have the seat next to me.

Luckily, when everyone has boarded, Max is seated several rows behind me. Far enough to make it impossible for him to try to speak to me without pissing off some of the other travelers. And my neighbor is fast asleep in the aisle seat. Even if Max were ballsy enough to come up here, I have an excuse not to talk to him. I'd hate to wake my row mate up, after all. I've never been so grateful to a fellow traveler before.

~

When I arrive home, I'm greeted by Lindsey. She asks how my flight was, and I tell her about my run-in with Max at the airport. She knows my history with him. So, it's no surprise to me when she starts cursing him under her breath as she dances around the kitchen, getting things ready for dinner. I excuse myself to go shower and wash away this crazy day.

When I'm all fresh and clean, I hear the boys have arrived home. I greet them and take a look at what Lins has prepared. She cooked a freaking feast! It looks so good; I can't wait to dig in.

We all catch up on how things went this week. They tell me everything that I missed here and ask how the conference was. I fill them in on everything that happened in Vegas, including the shit with Max.

Liam and Chase input their two cents about him and offer to rough him up for me if he won't back off. I laugh it off and tell them I can handle Max. Then, I update them on Mom and Lance, letting them know that Mom said they can come to visit any time.

Toward the end of dinner, they remind me that we have a couch crasher for a while. Shit, I forgot about that. I'm glad I decided to stop avoiding him. There's no doing that now.

All the drama with Max made me completely forget that Tanner will be living with me for the next week or two. I'm really going to have to keep my composure while he's here. Not that it will be easy when he's staying on our couch and showering in our bathroom, naked.

Oh fuck, Tanner is going to be naked in my apartment- naked and sudsy and sexy as fuck.

Shit, Jenna, stop it!

I shake those thoughts from my head and remember I have to keep a cool demeanor around my roomies. Yes, I know, I could just tell them what's going on, but I'm not even sure what's going on. How the hell am I supposed to explain it to other people if I don't even have a clue yet? Also, Liam and Chase know about my 'don't date the players' rule. They'd give me so much shit for breaking it, and I don't want to stir up drama between the guys because I can't get my shit together.

No, it's much safer to just keep it quiet for now.

I try to keep my face calm even though my heart is racing. "I'll be good as long as he doesn't hit on me. If that happens, I may pull a Lindsey and slap the shit out of him."

They all start laughing. Why the hell did I say that? You could have just said 'yeah, cool,' but noooo, you had to go and make it all dramatic. Fuck's sake, Jenna!

By the time dinner is over, I'm starting to feel the effects of a long day of travel. I tell everyone I'm going to bed and wish them a good night.

~

The next morning, I wake up and head to the kitchen to make some tea. I try to be quiet, so I don't wake up Tanner. I quietly creep through my door and tip-toe through the living room. I try not to look at Tanner as I pass by the couch.

I have a feeling he sleeps shirtless, and I don't want him to wake up and catch me gawking at him while he's lying there sleeping. I make my way to the sink and fill my electric kettle with water, pushing the button to start heating after I've set it down on the counter.

While I wait for the water to heat up, I start to sense someone approaching. I feel a warm, hard body press up against me, and I feel his stubble on my ear as he leans in close.

I hear Tanner as his hot breath skims across my cheek. His voice is husky and deep. His words sound almost like a growl- a very sexy growl. "I thought you didn't sleep with the members of the team."

His proximity is making my knees weak, and the feeling of his hot breath against me sends chills down my spine. The growl in his voice makes me ache. My eyes roll back, and my breathing quickens. I'm so caught up in my body's reaction to him that it takes an extra second for my brain to process what he just said.

Then, I realized what he was insinuating. "I don't sleep with the guys on the team."

Tanner places both hands on either side of the counter in front of me, boxing me in. His lips are nearly touching my ear. His words come out, low and dangerous. "I just saw you come from Liam's room."

What the-

I turn around, facing him- still boxed in by the cage of his arms. There's hardly an inch between us. I can feel his hard abs against my body as he edges closer. The heat from his body is radiating onto mine. And I was right. He does sleep shirtless.

Damn, he's yummy, but he's being an ass right now.

I point to my door. "That is my room. Not Liam's. His is further down the hall."

Tanner pales, and his eyes fly wide. "Wait! You live here? You're the other roommate?"

I smile up at him and lean closer, feeling his heartbeat erratically in his chest that's now flush with mine. "Yep! I live here!"

Tanner gapes down at me before taking a step back, realizing the mistake he's made. He looks like he just got the shock of a lifetime. Before I can say anything else, Lins comes into the kitchen.

I send Tanner a smirk as I turn to her. "Good morning, roomie!"

She tells me good morning, and I decide to let Tanner stew for a bit. I flit my eyes over him one more time before I head to my room, swaying my hips as I go. I know how my ass looks in these shorts, and I know that Tanner still has his eyes glued to me.

He deserves to drool a bit after that stunt in the kitchen. I'll give him a little tease as I walk away- let him get a good view of what he's missing out on.

When I return to the kitchen, Lins asks what happened earlier with Tanner. I tell her what happened- how Tanner basically accused me of sleeping with her brother. I leave out the part about him getting me all hot and bothered before he made his accusation, though. I don't need her asking more questions than she already is.

I know the kind of questions she'd ask if I told her about my dilemma with Tanner. I just have no idea how I'd answer them.  

A/N:

Thank you for taking the time to check out The Right Side of Tanner. If you are enjoying so far, don't be afraid to vote and/or comment and let me know :)

Every vote and comment helps elevate the story so others will be more likely to find it on Wattpad and hopefully enjoy it as much as you all have. I really enjoy reading your comments and hearing any theories anyone has on what they predict will happen next. 

Also, if you want to be kept up to date on the latest book/series news, head over to my Instagram and follow me there. I post teasers daily for future chapters and that is where is will announce things like printed book giveaways, q&a sessions, etc. The link is in my bio.   :)

I'll be back tomorrow with another chapter!

❤️