Page 39 of Rival Summer

She tilted her head slightly, letting out a soft laugh. "Boston, you have no room to talk. What about Caroline's message about you today?"

"I'm sorry you had to see that," I said, finally breaking the brief silence. "I don't know why she did that."

She stopped walking and turned to face me. "I do," she said softly. "She likes you, Boston. I get why she likes you."

She wasn't just saying words, there was something behind them—something that told me exactly what I needed to know. It felt like a door cracked open, like she was finally starting to let me in.

Taking a deep breath, I reached out and gently lifted her chin, tilting it so that her eyes met mine. "That doesn’t matter. I want you."

She inhaled sharply, and for a moment there was nothing else but us.

A smile touched her lips. "Even when I wear his jersey?" A glint of humor returned to her eyes, challenging me.

I leaned in closer and growled in her ear. "I want to rip that damn jersey off you."

Her gasp was soft. "Why?"

"Because you're mine. You always have been," I said, nipping at the delicate skin below her ear. My hand slid under the hem of the jersey, drifting to the small of her back. "Not his. Mine."

She melted into me, her eyes fluttering shut as our lips hovered close, almost brushing against each other.

"WE WON! WE WON!" The shout ripped through our bubble, and we both turned toward the sound. Willow was jumping ecstatically beside Parker.

"Wha—?" Chandler’s mouth hung open, her earlier resolve forgotten.

Some of the other committee members nearby were shaking their heads with smiles as they finished double-checking that the photos submitted to the group chat had followed the rules.

"Come on," I said, motioning toward the commotion. "Let's go congratulate them."

We started to make our way back, me leading Chandler in the darkness. Laughter and cheers grew louder, but then there was a sharp, sudden crash. Chandler screamed.

I spun around to find Chandler on the rocky ground, one hand gripping her ankle. Tears welled in her hazel eyes.

I dropped to my knees beside her. "What just happened?"

Her lips pressed together in a thin line before she managed to speak. "I think... I just rolled my ankle on a rock."

"Let me see." My fingers brushed against her skin softly, feeling for swelling as she drew in a shaky breath.

I’d known injuries over the years playing baseball, had sprained everything possible. "Does this hurt?"

"Sort of." She winced as she tried to move it.

Exhaling a heavy breath, I slid one arm under her knees, the other around her back. "Okay, come here," I said, hoisting her up into my arms.

"Hey! What's going on?" Willow's voice carried over the party noise as I walked toward the high-fiving crowd, Chandler in my arms.

"Someone took a little tumble," I explained, shifting her weight so they could see her ankle.

Parker looked over, his brow creasing with concern. "What happened?"

"I'm fine," Chandler called out. "I think I just twisted my ankle."

"Trip on a heart-shaped rock?" Parker couldn't help himself, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.

"Shut up, Parker," she shot back.

"Sorry, sis," he said, the smirk fading as he caught her glare.

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