Page 31 of Before I Loved You

It should be a crime to look that good in basketball shorts.

Maybe tonight we’ll have a repeat of our first night together…

“Did you see that? He winked at you!” the blonde girl shrieks with excitement, jumping up and down with her friend before heading to their prospective places.

Oh, please.

The second half goes by just as fast, with Greyson’s beady eyes on me while my eyes remain on Paul. I’m counting down the seconds when the buzzer finally sounds, and we win by twelve points.

Standing awkwardly to the side, I watch everyone around me jump up and down, celebrating as the team congregates in a congratulatory huddle.

Zipping my jacket, I take a few steps away from my seat when a hand grips my elbow.

My eyes whip to my side to find Paul towering over me.

“You came.” God, why did those have to be his two words to me? I bite my lower lip as my eyes rake over him. His chest heaves, sweat glistening all over his body. How his eyes narrow in on me, or more accurately, on the jersey I’m wearing, makes my head dizzy. His fingers push back the opening of my jacket, revealing more of the jersey. “Fuck,” he murmurs softly, shaking his head.

He releases my arm, and I tuck a loose piece of hair behind my ear, feeling…nervous. Why the fuck is my heart beating so fast? “You were amazing out there,” I confess.

“You think?” I assume he must be joking, but he’s looking at me as though he’s really wondering if I thought he played well.

“Yeah. I’ve never seen anything like that before. It was incredible. The game. The crowd. The energy in here.” I shake my head, laughing. “Clearly, I don’t get out much, but I’m really glad you asked me to come…here. Come here.”

Fucking hell, get your mind out of the damn gutter, Sarah!

He shyly smiles as though knowing what I’m thinking and runs his hand across his forehead, wiping away the sweat. “Sorry, I’m so gross.”

I shrug one shoulder. “I think it’s kind of sexy.”

“You know—”

“Paul! Coach wants everyone in the locker room!” someone behind Paul yells.

He sighs. “I have to talk to the team, but it shouldn’t be long. Then I’ll just take a quick shower, and we can grab dinner if you still want to?”

I smile. “I’d like that.”

“Okay. Great. So—”

“Paul!”

“I’m coming!” Paul shouts over his shoulder, shaking his head. “I’ll meet you outside the locker room as soon as I’m done.” He steps toward his teammates but then pivots back for me, leans down, and presses a quick kiss to my cheek before turning and jogging to the locker room.

A blush spreads over my face. And as I notice the two cheerleaders from earlier staring at me with mouths agape, I flip my hair over my shoulder and make my way off the court, feeling like a goddamn queen.

I walk out to the locker room area and wait in the hall, leaning against the wall. Player after player exits the room, but not Paul. After twenty minutes, I’m tempted to text Paul asking to reschedule because my stomach is starting to eat itself, but I remind myself that the conversation I’ve rehearsed repeatedly can’t wait any longer.

It’s happening tonight.

Suddenly, the door swings open. Looking up, smiling, I expect to see Paul. Instead, it’s the last person I’d ever want to see.

Greyson.

“Well, what a pleasant surprise,” he surmises, approaching me.

“Don’t come near me,” I warn as I take an ample step away from him.

“Relax. There are cameras here. Wouldn’t risk doing anything to get kicked off the team.” An evil smirk appears. “You’re well aware how cameras can change a person’s life, aren’t you, Sarah?”

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