Page 54 of Rival Summer

"Both dances were the same, you idiot," Parker added, snickering.

Then Reese calmly said over the chatter, “Bailey, you never even make it to first base. Why the fuck would you have a home run dance?”

Laughter erupted throughout the bus, the sound mingling with the crinkling of more flying napkins. Just as the laughter reached its peak, Coach quickly shut it down. "Bailey! Have a seat or you can walk the rest of the way!"

He peered over his laptop, his eyes fixed on Bailey. The warning was clear and carried the weight of consequences that none of us doubted he would enforce.

"Okay, okay, I'm sitting down," Bailey relented with a dramatic sigh, plopping back into his seat which made way for a fresh wave of giggles and snickers. He threw a mocking salute towards Coach Levy.

"Never a dull moment with him, huh?" I whispered to Boston, shaking my head but unable to suppress my own smile.

"He keeps things interesting," Boston replied, his gaze lingering on me for a second longer than necessary. Then his hand inched toward my seat until his fingers grazed the hem of my shorts. His hand slipped further, a soft caress against my inner thigh that set my pulse racing.

"I’m glad you’re here," he said softly, barely a whisper.

"Me too," I murmured, giving him a slight smile.

Both of us were lost in a bubble of flirtatious secrecy as the scenery outside blurred past us. The thrill of ourhidden exchanges behind the watchful eyes of our friends was intoxicating, the risk of getting caught only adding fuel to the fire igniting within me.

After a while, the hum of the bus's engine and the rhythmic sway of the journey had a soothing effect. I fought to keep my eyelids open.

I couldn't resist Boston’s warmth, and before I knew it, my head had found its way to his shoulder, fitting perfectly against him. I was drifting, floating on the edge of consciousness when the bus came to a gentle halt, stirring me. My eyes snapped open, and I instinctively pulled away from Boston's embrace, straightening up.

My eyes drifted around, unfocused and hazy.

"We’re here," Boston signaled with a nod toward the front.

"Did anyone see me fall asleep on your shoulder?" I asked, a little worried, as I scanned the seats ahead of us for my brother.

"Relax," Boston assured me, reaching out to squeeze my hand discreetly. "I stayed awake. No one looked back. Except Willow, once."

"Thank goodness," I sighed, relief washing over me.

"Your secret's safe," he grinned, that mischievous twinkle in his eye.

We all piled out, squinting in the bright sunlight, our limbs grateful for the freedom after the long ride. Caroline, clipboard clutched like a lifeline, was already marching toward the hotel lobby with purposeful strides.

"Make sure you've got everything," she called over her shoulder, assuming someone would be carrying in her luggage.

"I got it," Boston said gently, reaching for my bags before I had the chance to hoist them out.

"But I can?—"

"Don’t even try it," he teased, effortlessly lifting my luggage as if it weighed nothing as he brought them inside and set them on a luggage cart.

Willow was playing queen bee. I smiled as I watched Parker and Bailey split her bags between them, their faces resigned but good-natured. No one wanted to upset the coach's daughter.

We filed into the lobby. Caroline stood at the center, commanding attention as she began distributing the keys like precious tokens.

"Okay, listen up! Parker and Reese, you're together," she announced, handing them their cards. "Boston and Bailey, Willow and Chandler." She paused, then continued. “Devils’ Day Out winners get the upgrades. That means suites for Willow and Parker, and whoever's paired with them." Then Caroline continued to hand out the rest of the room keys.

"That’s the kind of service I’ve been looking for!" Parker exclaimed, throwing a victorious fist in the air.

"Absolutely no room switching," Caroline added sternly, her eyes sweeping over us as if daring anyone to challenge her.

Boston locked eyes with me, and gave me a nod as he headed to his room. He disappeared toward the elevators with Parker and a few others.

"Chandler, don't worry, I'm on it," Willow promised, pulling me aside by the elbow and into a corner of the lobby. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, her voice low and conspiratorial.

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