Page 109 of A Game as Old as Time

“Hailey,” he puffed.

Did I do something wrong?

She had absolutely no idea what she was doing and instantly began to regret moving so quickly.

Does he not want this?

“I’m sorry, I…” She was embarrassed, her face hot, as she slid back over the console.

I am so stupid!

Before she could settle into the seat, he gently grabbed her chin and lifted her face to his.

“That was the greatest first kiss I’ve ever had.”

Man, he is good.

Her heart skipped multiple beats as he brought her close. She could feel his heart pounding, his grip on her back, a mix of emotions that were fighting each other.

“This has been one of the greatest days of my life.” He was so sure of himself that she could not help but pull him tighter. “You deserve something much more special than this.”

Oh.

Hailey knew what he was talking about, and looking around, she realized this was probably not the best place for their first kiss. They were in a parking lot---people were moving back and forth between the cars.

OK, maybe a little stupid.

“I’m sorry.” She blushed, leaning away and smoothing out her shirt.

“Don’t be,” he said, not letting go of her hand. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.”

Me too!

She took a few seconds to catch her breath, then put the car in drive and slowly inched it out of the parking lot.

“The light show is going to be perfect,” he said, never taking his eyes off her. “Just like you.”

Her face was burning again, and she fought the urge to pull the car over right then and there and kiss him some more. She knew the feeling she had inside her now, what it all meant. She could not fight it anymore. She didn’t want to. She wanted to scream it to everyone who drove by, every person in the parking lot.

I LOVE GUNNER WESTON!

**********

“Ten minutes, guys!” Coach Bianchi’s voice rang through the bus, knocking Gunner out of his trance.

Focus.

He had been thinking about Hailey again. Every night before he went to bed and every morning when he woke up, she was on his mind.

That kiss…

It was unlike any kiss he'd ever had. He had felt so many things while it was going on, and he was still trying to make sense of them all.

“When we get to the stadium, grab your bags and go to the locker room. We’ll head out for a quick walkthrough to get used to the turf before suiting up.”

Coach Bianchi’s eyes moved to where Gunner was sitting at the back of the bus.

Does he know we kissed?

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