Page 83 of All My Kisses for You

As if she could hear my thoughts, Will tears her attention away from Iris and looks around, her gaze dropping to the field. To the sideline.

To me.

Our gazes lock and I grin like an idiot, giving her a discreet wave. She lifts her hand in return, the tiny smile curving her lips lighting up her entire face. She’s so beautiful she makes my chest ache.

“Who’s the girl?” Dad asks, catching me.

I drop my hand and jerk my gaze to his, feeling guilty because I just got caught. I’m tempted to say she’s no one important but that would be the biggest lie I’ve ever told. I decide to go with the truth.

“My future wife,” I reply.

Dad shakes his head, chuckling. “Got it bad for someone finally, huh?”

My gaze returns to Will, who’s still watching me, that smile still curving her ruby red lips. Damn, I’d love nothing more than to kiss her and smudge that lipstick all over her mouth. Maybe even get some of it on my lips. I wouldn’t mind.

It’d be worth it to kiss her. Something I’ve been thinking about constantly.

“Yeah,” I croak, clearing my throat.

“Well, that’s a first. You’ve been a little girl crazy the last couple of years but nothing serious.” Dad lifts his gaze to the stands as well, and I hold my breath, praying he doesn’t say something stupid. Sometimes Dad doesn’t think before he speaks. I share that same trait with him. “She’s beautiful.”

A grateful exhale leaves me. “I know.”

“The blonde sitting next to her is pretty too.” He’s referring to Iris.

“I don’t like blondes.”

Dad laughs. “I love a beautiful blonde.”

“You love Mom. I get it. I see blondes and think of Kenz.” I’m referring to my sister. Yeah, not interested in blondes at all.

“I never realized you were so anti-blonde.”

“I like dark-haired girls with red lips.” I should change that from plural to singular. There is only one girl with dark brown hair and red lips that interests me. It’s only been a couple of weeks, but fuck it. I’m in it to win it. Win this game tonight. Win the whole season.

And win the girl.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Willow

The JV team won their first game and it was so fun to witness the pure joy on Row’s face when they ran out onto the field to celebrate their victory. When they all stood in a line in front of the stands and held their helmets above their heads, shouting, “Thank you, fans!” we jumped to our feet and cheered them on. I swear Mom even had tears in her eyes.

I understand the feeling. I was proud of Row too.

Once the teams were off the field for good, the clock on the scoreboard switched to thirty minutes. The countdown is on for the varsity football game to start and it’s so weird to feel this way, but I’m anxious. Nervous.

I just want Rhett to do well. I want them to win.

Desperately.

I’m bouncing my knee, making the entire bench we’re sitting on vibrate and rattle, and Iris finally settles her hand on my thigh, forcing me to stop. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I’m nervous. I want them to do well.”

“They’re going to be amazing,” Iris says with all the confidence I don’t feel. “You haven’t even seen them in action yet.”

She’s right. I haven’t. I have no idea just how good they could possibly be, but the opposing team is out on the field running through some drills, according to my father, and they look huge.

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