Page 56 of Promise Me Not

“I don’t even care what it’s called. It was so badass!” She chuckles, finally taking a breath as she reaches for her cream soda.

A low laugh leaves me, and I can’t stop staring. Her cheeks are flushed, eyes bright with life, and I wish I could see her this way every day.

I wish I could see her every day, period.

“So can we say you’re an official football fan now?”

A playful scowl crosses her face, and she sits back in her seat. “Too soon to say. It was my first game.”

“Come on now, Pretty Little. Don’t play.” I lean forward, dropping my forearms to the table between us. “We both know you watch me all the time.”

She pretends like she’s making herself gag by pointing a finger in her mouth as she sticks her tongue out. “Someone is full of himself.”

“And someone is very well aware of this fact and likes me anyway.” I grin, and she laughs, shaking her head.

“You’re all right.” She eyes me a moment, fighting a grin by pulling her lips between her teeth.

I raise a dark brow, and she rolls her eyes, that smile breaking free once more.

“God.” She tilts her head. “I don’t know how the girls have dealt with you for so long.”

“Stick around and find out. It’s hard not to love me.”

The words are intended as a joke, but when she flushes and looks away, a strange sensation zips through me, all the waydown to my damn toes. I can’t name it, but I don’t hate it. Quite the opposite, in fact.

The gang’s voices grow louder as they come back from the arcade section of the pub, so I set my water down and stand, not ready to share her just yet.Or at all. Ever.

“Come on.”

I offer her a hand, and she hesitates, glancing at the others briefly before taking it. I haul her to her feet and lead us toward the back door. We step out onto the patio and start cruising down the street.

Away from the chaos of the night, I take a deep breath.

“It’s really pretty here,” she murmurs after a few silent minutes, leading us onto a little bridge, a small stream running beneath it.

I nod, agreeing, still surprised she and Parker drove out to catch the game today. I wasn’t expecting it. In fact, they didn’t tell any of us. We found out after the game when we walked to Chase’s truck and there they were. Cameron left with some girls from her dorm, Ari had already taken off back to her room, something she’s been doing a lot lately so I don’t even know if she’s aware they’re here tonight, but Payton hasn’t asked about the girls so…maybe she came for me?

As far as I know, she doesn’t talk to them on the regular like she does me, so does that mean I’m right? Did this gorgeous girl come to my college today just for me?

It’s a little stressful how much I want the answer to be a hard-ass yes.

Payton turns to look at me, tipping her head.

“What?”

“You got quiet,” she says softly. “You okay?”

I chuckle, licking my lips as I look off. “I’m good.”

“Promise?”

My lips twist up, and I nod. “I promise, Pretty Little. Better than good, in fact.”

She stares for a few seconds before glancing back toward the creek.

I do the same, noting the length of it. “I’ve never been out here, actually.”

“No?” She sounds pleased.

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