Page 59 of Promise Me Not

“I most definitely do.”

She looks down, humor shaking her shoulders. When she finally glances back, I give her an expectant expression, and she sighs.

“Fine.” She tugs away, clearing her throat as she makes a fist, bring it to her mouth as if it’s a microphone.

I chuckle, and she covers her face.

“OMG. I can’t do it if you tease.”

“Okay, okay.” I raise my palms, clamping my lips shut.

Her eyes narrow, then she clears her throat again.

“Avix University took the win tonight, a feat that wouldn’t have been possible without the one and only Mason Johnson!” She speaks animatedly, flinging her free hand all around. “Mason played like he was made ofmagic. He’s like no others we’ve seen, with an effortless elegance about the way he moves. The man is fluid in every shift of his body. Precise in every intention. He’s what dreams are made of, Avix U’s very own Greek god!”

She’s laughing by the end of it, this time covering her rosy-red cheeks with both hands.

“Damn, woman.” My grin spreads. “I’m impressed. You know jack shit about football and made that sound good.”

A shy sort of smile curls her lips, and she lifts a shoulder with a shrug. “I wanted to be a reporter when I was younger. I might have spent a lot of time practicing in front of the mirror.”

“Obviously.” She scrunches her nose in a feisty little scowl, and I keep going, liking how playful she’s being tonight. “And, hey, you nailed everything about me. I actually am the shit…again even if all that wasn’t true and I only played for two minutes.”

“There were only four touchdowns made tonight, Mase. It took your team the entire game to make three. You made one in less than two minutes.” She glances my way. “That’s something to be proud of.”

Her words sink deeper than they should, all the way to a part of me the praise of others has yet to touch. It’s…a lot. A sort of tense feeling, one wrapped in confusion and laced with a small sense of panic.

Does she really think all that?

Was that just part of the fun?

Does she like watching me out there?

Bro. Chill.

I laugh off the feeling and start walking, Payton falling in step at my side.

“Careful, Pretty Little. Wouldn’t want you to give me a big head or anything.”

“I think that ship has sailed.”

“Then you must be the captain.”

Payton peeks my way with a grin. “Whatever you say, Superstar.”

I say I might not be the only one in this…

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Payton

Now,September

My nerves area wreck as I load Deaton into his car seat, passing my bag to my brother when he reaches for it.

“You sure you want to ride all the way in the back?” he asks. “We can put you and the car seat in the middle row, shove Mason and Chase in the third row.”

“Their legs would hardly fit, three seats back there or not. Besides, this way I have room for the diaper bag beside me, and if I need to change him, I have space and don’t have to get out when we stop.”

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