Page 43 of Shoot Your Shot

“Starbs? Already?” She practically bounces with excitement. “We’re only, like … an hour into our trek. And you’re already buttering me up with my favorite thing?”

“Yeah, I figured if I did, I’d have a better chance of getting some road head on the drive,” I say, keeping a straight face as I pull into the drive-through line and glance over at her, waiting for her answer.

“Nah, I’m all set with that,” she deadpans. “I’ll take an iced caramel brulée latte with cold foam though. And a cake pop.” She pauses. “Make that two cake pops.”

“Two cake pops for two blowies?” I wink, earning me the middle finger. “You’re going to fuck me?” I gasp. “Even better.”

“You’re annoying, and I’m going back to ignoring you.” She rolls her eyes, but her lips turn up slightly even though she tries to hide it by looking out the window.

She can act however she wants. She’s having a good time, even if she’s trying not to show it.

I’m going to have a good time watching her eat the cake pops and listening to her moan while she does it.

When we walk into our old high school gym, there isn’t a set of eyes that doesn’t land on us. For a split second, everyone just stares, mouths open and eyes wide. But suddenly, it hits them that Kolt freaking Kolburne is back home, and they all erupt into cheers.

Instantly, I feel Kolt tense at my side. Some people might want to be a celebrity because they love the attention and fame. For Kolt, he became a professional athlete for one reason only—he loves the game. The rest, if anything, he hates.

“They are just excited to see you,” I utter, giving his arm a small squeeze before dropping my hand down to my side. “Just smile and breathe.”

Aaleah, a girl who was in the class above ours, walks toward him. Leaning closer, she attempts to give him a peek at her cleavage, though he doesn’t take it.

She grips the top of his arm. “I’m so glad you could make it, superstar.” She coos the last word. “I heard about your injury, and I have been so worried about you.”

How classy to have your tits out at a fundraiser.I want to roll my eyes, but I refrain. At least, I think I do. I can’t be positive at this time.

He’s as cold as ice, and she must take the hint because, finally, she drops her hand from his arm and looks at me, plastering on a fake smile. “Hey, Paige.”

“Hi,” I say.

I tilt my head toward Kolt. “I see Mr. Wells. Shall we go visit with him?”

“Definitely,” he utters, not so much as looking at Aaleah again, making her sulk before she struts away.

“Well, aren’t you Mr. Popular?” I say, amused, as we start toward where Mr. Wells is sitting. But before we can make it to him, a couple beats us to it, bringing us to a pause at the center of the gym.

He grumbles something, but I don’t decipher it. And before I can ask, his hand finds mine. I don’t even attempt to hide my shock when my gaze snaps to his.

“What the hell are you doing?” I hiss.

“What?” He plays dumb as a tiny smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. He waves to the gym full of people. “Now, you don’t have to be jealous if Aaleah comes back up to me, right? Because she’ll know I’m taken.”

“You know what, asshole?” I glance down at our hands, knowing if I pull away right now, it’ll only be another picture the media can use against him. “We are not together. So, why are you holding my hand?”

He leans closer, his eyes glimmering with amusement. “We seemed back together when you spit on my dick before I covered your hand with cum.” His teeth drag over his bottom lip, making me tingle. “And we really seemed together when you let me finger-fuck your pussy until you clenched my fingers so hard that I’m pretty sure they are bruised now.”

For a split second, I almost lose my composure.Almost.But righting myself, I push my shoulders back and cock my head to the side. “Did you ever think … I simply needed dick—or in your case, fingers—and you happened to be there?”

His face instantly fills with anger, and his eyes narrow, darkening to a hue I’ve never seen before on him.

“Fuck that.” He shakes his head. “I know damn well your pussy wasn’t the only thing that’s missed me.”

Leaning in, I decide to play along by planting a kiss on his cheek and clutch his arm the way Aaleah did. “Don’t be so sure about that,superstar.” Pulling my hand away from his, I walk away from him and head toward where I see my mother standing, now with her mouth almost on the ground.

“Well, that was … interesting to watch,” she says, her eyes staying on where Kolt stands, glowering at me. “I see you all still have issues, huh?”

“That’s putting it lightly,” I huff out, turning my back to him and still feeling his eyes on me, like lasers burning into my skin. “He keeps trying to talk, you know, about us. And I just—I don’t know—I freeze up, Mom.”

“Because you’re scared,” she answers matter-of-factly.

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