Page 28 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

It was becoming a game more than ever now.

And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it was the highlight of my day when I’d find them.

He’d been real sly and left one in my bathroom the other day when he and River had come by to play board games with me and Ruby. He hadn’t said a word, because Jalen had been there, as well, but I found it after everyone had left.

“Is Coach coming?” Peyton asked as she linked arms with me.

The sun was shining above, and I loved the way it heated my skin.

“I think so,” I said, clearing my throat because I didn’t quite know how to handle that anymore.

“You don’t sound too excited. Is that why he didn’t meet us at Demi and Romeo’s?” she asked.

“No. He had to work this morning. Demi invited him, and I’ve got his jersey,” I said, holding up the shirt in my hand for her. “I’m just feeling bad because it feels more like a friendship.”

“You don’t have to feel bad. I still think if you’d just sleep with him, your feelings would change. You haven’t progressed from the make-out stage.” She shrugged.

Unfortunately, I just wasn’t attracted to him that way.

“Yeah, maybe,” I said, even though I’d already made a conscious decision to end things. It wasn’t going anywhere, and I knew it.

“You don’t need to force anything, Saylor Woodson.” Kingston popped his head between us, and we both startled and let out a squeal.

“Damn, King. You came out of nowhere, you nosy little bastard,” Peyton said over her laughter.

“It’s my job to know what’s going on.” He pulled a handful of sunflower seeds from his pocket and popped them into his mouth.

“There’s nothing going on,” I said, because I sure as hell wasn’t going to tell them I was ending it before I told Jalen.

“It’s the shorts, isn’t it?” he whisper-shouted between us, and Peyton’s laughter bellowed around us.

“No. There’s nothing wrong. The shorts are fine.” I didn’t know what it was, because Jalen Holt was perfect on paper.

“The Speedo? Come on, it’s got to be the Speedo.”

“Nope. Unlike you, I don’t judge people by their clothing, King,” I said, feigning annoyance, even though I’d hated the Speedo. “He’s great. We’re great.”

“Well, if you want my two cents…” My brother moved beside me and smirked. “The Speedo was a bit much.”

“Why are we talking about this? He’s a great guy,” I said defensively.

“I didn’t say he wasn’t,” Hayes said. “But you can’t force something if it’s not there.”

“Wow. That’s some sound advice, coming from you.” I smiled at him as we walked toward the bleachers. “You don’t think anyone is good enough for me.”

“And he’d be right,” Kingston said, popping a few more sunflower seeds into his mouth.

“See. We know best.” Hayes and Kingston pounded their fists like they’d just said something brilliant.

“Jalen is probably intimidated by you guys being this way with Saylor,” Peyton said.

“Tough shit,” Hayes said. “If he isn’t willing to put in the work, he can hit the fucking road.”

“No one is hitting the road. Everything is good. I’ve got this handled. Can we please stop talking about it? Because there’s nothing wrong.” I shook my head.

“Well, if you can get past the Speedo, you’re a better person than me,” Kingston said over his laughter.

Peyton dropped her arm as we approached the bleachers, and Coach was sitting there waiting for us. She nodded toward where he sat and waggled her brows at me. “Yeah, look at him. That is one hot dude right there.”

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