Page 113 of Resist Me

“I know, baby.”

Finally, he huffed and smiled at my grandparents. He thrust his hand out and my grandpa took it firmly.

“I’m West. If you haven’t heard of me, I’m the one who made Linc’s life hell for the past seven months.”

My grandma stepped forward and gave him a hug. He leaned down and returned it a little awkwardly.

“He probably deserved it,” she whispered loudly.

Wrapping my arm around his waist, I pulled him closer. “Let’s not start spreading blasphemy, gran. West’s ego is already dangerously inflated.”

“I’m the quarterback, jellybean. I’m allowed.”

My grandpa surprised me when he laughed. “Oh, Lincoln. I think he’s exactly what you need.”

West shot me a smirk, then settled his arm over my shoulders.

“Lincoln, there you are.”

I looked over at coach, slightly annoyed to be interrupted. “What’s up?”

His eyes shifted from me to West. “Am I missing something?”

“We’re a thing,” West said. “Move past it.”

“Uh, okay. Linc, you’re gonna go up there in about twenty minutes, before everyone starts eating.”

My stomach flipped. It was customary for someone who finished their final season to say something, but I really didn’t want to. Part of me had hoped he’d just forget about it or I could conveniently be outside getting some air at the time.

“Yeah, sounds good,” I replied confidently.

He nodded, surveying us one more time before he turned around. West brushed his lips over my ear.

“Let’s go blow the team’s minds and get this shit over with, otherwise I’m gonna throw up in front of everyone.”

“Are you guys good for a bit?” I asked my grandparents. They nodded and shooed us away.

With both of our arms around each other, we made our way back to the team table. This time, heads did turn. A couple of the cheerleaders that came with some of the guys gawked. Jessi in particular looked completely flabbergasted and maybe annoyed.

“Holy shit,” Matt exclaimed. “Is this a prank?”

Kai came up beside West. Somehow, the way he took a drink of his sparkling cider made him look threatening. I didn’t know how he went from golden retriever to doberman so effectively.

West stood up straighter. “Yeah, yeah. Linc turned me gay. If anyone acts like a dick about it, I’ll make you cry. Cool?”

“Actually,” I began. “I will.”

Dean laughed loudly. “Fair enough. I think you guys look good together.”

The way West’s face lit up made me smile. That wasn’t bad at all. He hadn’t bailed and hardly hesitated.

“Shit,” Kai muttered.

We followed his gaze to the doors. Rick and Willow were walking in and from the way he had his arm around her while she stumbled, it was easy to determine that she was fucked up. West pulled free of my grasp and headed straight for them. Me, Kai, and Sen were on his heels.

I swore when West grabbed the front of Rick’s shirt. Kai wrapped an arm around Willow and pulled her back a little.

“Hey,” Rick said, putting his hands up. “She was like this when I got back from class earlier. I tried to sober her up, but she drank more while I showered.”

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