Page 58 of The Foul Out

“Wait, Dragon,” a man called.

This time Christian turned, as if suddenly the outside world existed to him. Though when I recognized the man as another Revs player, it made more sense.

“I said no.” Christian glared.

“Need me to scare them off?” The curvy brunette’s glare rivaled Christian’s as she turned to the line of mostly women.

“Not them. It’s kids, Mariposa.” Emerson, that was his name, shrugged sheepishly.

“Kids at a bar?” Christian huffed, a brow cocked.

Emerson shook his head. “They were coming out of the restaurant next door.”

“Gi, watch these two,” Christian barked at the brunette.

In response, she crossed her arms under her chest and cocked a brow that looked eerily like Christian’s. She stared the man down, as if silently sayingwho do you think you are to boss me around?

Unfazed by her death look, Christian squeezed Avery’s shoulder. Then he pulled a rose-gold Sharpie out of his pocket and followed Emerson down the street, where he squatted to pose for a photo with two boys who looked about ten.

“That was nice of them,” I said.

“They always make time for kids.” The brunette—Gianna, I remembered—watched them with an expression that could almost be considered soft.

A minute later, the guys came back and hustled us past the two security guards and up to the second floor. The space was much bigger than I expected, since Zara had insisted she didn’t know many people in Boston and that it was a small party. But there had to be at least twenty high-top tables, and each was surrounded, meaning there were a good hundred people here. It took a moment, but eventually, I found her. She was dressed in a silver tank top and black skirt, like a classier, trendier version of every woman in the line outside.

“Harper,” she called when she spotted me. Beaming, she beckoned me over with a wave. “I’m so glad you came.” After receiving two air kisses from her, I turned to greet the rest of the table.

Kyle, who was dressed in a white button-down, stood next to Cam. Our eyes locked, and a bolt of electricity buzzed through me. His irises darkened as he took me in from head to toe and back up again. The top button of his shirt was open, showing off the thick column of his neck. His perpetual five-o’clock shadow was gone, and in its place was a smooth, hard jaw line. Though it softened as he lit up, grinning, and angled toward me. His exhale brushed across my skin before full lips pressed to my cheek. Hepulled in a slow breath, making a shiver race down my spine. My skin broke out in goose bumps, and for a second, I forgot to breathe. Frozen, I swallowed harshly, willing my racing heart to steady.

When he was this close, the rest of the room faded away.

“You smell delicious, Crabby.” His lips brushed my ear as the almost silent words registered, and a fire ignited low in my belly. He pulled back, but not far enough to deprive me of his body heat.

I wet my lips, and his eyes locked on to my mouth, cranking up the heat in my core.

Cam cleared his throat and elbowed his friend, pulling us back to the present.

Kyle frowned at him before turning back to me, his expression turning light. “It’s like you’re whipped-cream scented.” He smirked.

I never wore perfume, knowing it bothered Piper, so it had to be my lotion.

“We all know you love sugar,” I teased, holding tight to the charged moment.

He laughed, and above his white collar, his pronounced Adam’s apple bobbed, snagging my attention. From there, I couldn’t help but survey his jaw, then his lips.

“Hey.”

Kyle jerked back, his head snapping to one side, where Emerson was watching him with his brows arched.

“I need my backup, Streaks.”

With a nod, Kyle eyed me once more. “I’ll be back.” The words were laced with a promise that bubbled with anticipation in my belly.

The moment they disappeared, Avery leaned in. “Is there something going on between you two?”

With my heart lodged in my throat, I shook my head.

“Are you sure?” Gianna asked. “Because that looked like something.”

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