Page 49 of Home Game

His neck turtles a bit, but not for long.

“I’m bringing it back. I’ve been using it all day. Just ask Whiskey. I’ve got him on board.

“Uh, do you think it’s smart to teach Whiskey new words?” I joke.

We both laugh, but it dies out in seconds, leaving an awkward quiet in its place.

“For real, though. You guys were awesome. You’re going to take first or whatever at this. Is it gold? How do they rate these things?”

“It’s first. Sometimes it’s gold, though. And sometimes it’s Superior, or points.”

His eyes flutter as he shakes his head.

“I think I’ll stick with touchdowns and extra points.”

“Fair enough,” I say. I glance behind me and catch a few people still looking in our direction.

“I’d take you home today, but I sort of turned this into a thing so now my truck is full.” He shrugs and gives me a crooked smile.

“You know, Tasha was pretty impressed to see you all show up like this. Our team doesn’t turn out for cheer comps.” I don’t mention my dad and his lack of presence in that statement, but the way Wyatt winces makes me believe it’s silently understood.

“They’re missing out,” he says, his eyes softening a touch.Your dad’s missing out.I hear what isn’t said.

His gaze lingers on mine, and my lips buzz with nervous energy.

“You really turned this into a team activity just so you could watch me?” Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions and the guys decided to tag along on their own. Maybe they finished film early. Maybe?—

“I’d walk through hell to watch you shine,” he says, cutting me off mid-thought.

And suddenly, the eyes fixed on the back of my head matter so very little. I’m wrapped around him in a blink, and my mouth covers his before either of us can take a breath. My lips cover the small scar forming on his upper lip as he holds my thighs, my legs wrapped around his waist. He turns me slowly, and I can feel his smile stretch along my mouth as some of my teammates whistle. A few of the girls from other squads catcall, and my neck and cheeks burn from the attention. But his smile keeps growing, and I kiss it until it stretches so wide it's impossible for me not to reciprocate.

“That was . . . unexpected,” he says, setting my feet back down on the floor.

“You were unexpected,” I reply.

It’s cheesy, and I suck in my bottom lip, a little embarrassed that I’m being so soft and mushy. But I needed that kiss. I needed this boy. I needed him to show up today, and he did.

“I’d like to see you tomorrow,” he says.

“I’m working at Jack’s. Building character and all that.”

“Good, because I’ll be hungry. For two, maybe three meals. I hear the pancakes are amazing.” He backs away with a wink, that same fucking wink that pierced my tough exterior almost a month ago. And when I finally face the girls who made me cry, I decide that Tasha is on to something, but so am I.

People will surprise you in so many ways.

Chapter Sixteen

Iwasn’t sure everyone would be on board for my whole Sunday team swim thing, but every single guy showed up for this morning’s session. The pool was brisk, too. It’s still hot as fuck out here by noon, but six a.m. swims don’t give the water much time to heat up. The cold, however, is half the point.

“Your dad’s polar plunge lives on, I see?” My mom picks up the soaking towel I left on the wood floor on my way from the front door to the bathroom.

I grimace.

“Sorry, I had tunnel vision on the hot water,” I admit, taking the towel from her and hanging it on the bar in my bathroom. I pull a clean one out of the cabinet and dry the floor.

“I’m about to make some pancakes if you want some,” she offers over her shoulder on her way to the kitchen.

“Oh, I actually . . . have breakfast plans.” I hold my breath behind a tight-lipped smile. My mom spins around and studies my face, a slow smirk growing on her face.

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