Page 33 of Tangled

“Oh, I don’t know…” I deflect, not sure if running into Kane right now is the best decision. After he left my room this morning in a funk, I’m reluctant to make it seem like I’m chasing after him. I know he said he was sorry, but then he got all weird and stuttered and left in such a hurry, I wasn’t sure what to think.

“Hey, we’re gonna head out. But go, Liv. Go see the boys,” Clara wags her eyebrows at me while Perry nods in agreement. Whispering in my ear, she adds, “Go talk to him. Keep this momentum going. I know I’m right. I think that one night was more to him too. You can keep convincing yourself otherwise, but my gut is telling me you need to make a move.”

I shake my head at my friend as a slight grin dances on my face. “You’re crazy, Clara. But fine, I will go congratulate theteam. You girls be careful getting home, okay?”

“Always. Love ya, Liv,” Perry kisses me on the cheek before they stomp up the staircase in the opposite direction of where Tammy is now leading me.

“So, are you sure we’re allowed to be going down here?” I ask in trepidation, the nerves from seeing Kane again making my hands tremble.

But sure, you don’t feel anything for him. Keep lying to yourself, Liv.

“Uh, do you see the hundreds of people on the field right now? Yes, I’m sure it’s alright,” Tammy laughs at me as we push through the gate and stride across the dirt track to the edge of the football field.

“Congrats Coach! What a game!” She shouts as she runs up to Drew and tackles him, jumping in his arms as he catches her with the biggest smile on his face.

“Does that mean I’m getting lucky tonight?” He whispers a little too loudly in her ear, making me chuckle behind my hands.

“Oh, shit. Sorry, Olivia,” he laughs when he sees me while setting Tammy back down. “I take it you met my wife finally,” he pulls Tammy into his side, kissing her on the head.

That right there. That’s the kind of love that I want.

“Yes. We actually watched the game together and talked a bit.”

“Yup. I invited her to the mixer next weekend too. She’s got to meet more of the staff. I kind of have a girl crush on her,” she winks at Drew, just as Kane comes up behind him.

“Good game, man,” he pats Drew on the shoulder with the most genuine smile on his face, before he turns and locks eyes with me, his smile falling almost instantaneously.

Wow. Well, there’s a boost to my ego if I ever needed one.

Not.

Drew watches Kane’s face fade, then elbows him in the rib cage hard, causing him to buckle over as a giggle escapes my lips. The pain etched on Kane’s face isn’t funny, but Drew catching him off guard was.

“You think that’s funny?” He asks, popping his head up far enough to watch my face.

“Well, from what I know of you, you probably deserved it,” I shrug as Tammy bursts into a fit of laughter.

“Oh, now I like you even more, Olivia. Smart, classy, and can give Kane the shit he deserves.”

“Told ya,” Drew whispers in her ear while they both fixate on me.

Okay, kinda creepy.

“Fuck man, what the hell was that for?” Kane finally stands back up, rubbing at his rib cage where Drew clocked him. His shirt rides up just enough to offer a peek at the tan and ink-covered skin I remember so vividly from a week ago.

Those toned abs, that well-defined chest, those tattoos I wish I had time to trace with my tongue… I can feel my cheeks turn red as I stare, so I turn around quickly to hide my face.

“Olivia, are you okay?” Tammy comes up behind me, circling to my front to take in my expression.

“Yup, just fine,” I mumble behind my hands covering my cheeks and part of my mouth.

She narrows her eyes at me and then smiles that knowing smile.

“What’s going on?” She asks, searching my eyes for a clue.

Shit, does she know? Did Kane tell Drew, and Drew tell Tammy?

I spin back around, glaring at Kane and searching Drew’s face before I grab Kane’s hand, dragging him across the field, away from the students and families, and away from prying ears and eyes, around the corner into a dimly lit tunnel between the locker rooms where we can speak in private.

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