Page 46 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

“I’ll go with you.”

“No.” I put my hand on his arm. “I’ll be fine. I’m going with Saylor and Lou. Plus, this place is crowded, no one’s going to try anything here.”

I’ve basically managed to shake off my earlier unease. It was probably because of thinking about Dad and being uncomfortable about telling my mom disappointing news. I’m over it now, there’s no reason for him to follow me around today, especially when I’m not actually going to be alone.

He opens his mouth to say no, but I shake my head and squeeze his hand. “You can trust me.”

The words do the trick, and he gives me a hesitant nod. I’m sure he’s worried, but he also doesn’t want to stifle me. It’s one of the reasons I look to him first in moments like this. Emerson and Banks are both more inclined to follow me everywhere. Declan would handcuff me to him if he could. Heck, he’d probably tuck me inside his body if he could.

Cy is different, though. He wants to protect me, but he also wants me to feel like I’m free. I think he can sense my desire to not feel caged, especially now that I’m out from under myfather’s thumb. It’s something I treasure about him. Deeply. He’s my kindred spirit.

I link my arm through Saylor’s while Lou cuts a path through the crowd. She tells us she’s going to use the restroom while we wait in the concessions line. I let myself relax as people mill about around us. No one is going to try anything here. There’s security and cameras everywhere.

A few people bump into me as we work our way up the line. Most of them are apologetic and mumblesorryorexcuse me. But some are rude, like the guy who bumps into me as he walks straight through the line.

“Watch it,” Saylor yells at his back while she steadies me. “What a dick.”

“He’s definitely on a mission.”

“A mission to be an asshole.” She rolls her eyes. “Fucking men.” We step forward in line. “But speaking of men, are you getting excited for fall break?”

“Yes. I’ve never been on a yacht before.”

“Have you been to Europe?”

“Only to France. My mom’s sister has a house just outside of Nice. Have you been?”

She nods. “I’ve been all over Europe. I loved Greece, though, I’m sure it’s going to be amazing.”

Our conversation is interrupted when we get to the counter to order. I get a Diet Coke for me, a Coke for Cy, and a pretzel for us to share while Saylor orders for her and Lou. Lou joins us as soon as we walk away from the counter and that same feeling crawls up my back again. I glance over my shoulder and search through the crowd, but no one stands out as suspicious.

“What’s wrong?” Lou asks, immediately clocking my uneasiness.

“Just felt like someone was staring at me.” I force a smile. “It’s probably my imagination.”

Lou and Saylor both narrow their eyes and look around at the people in the crowd. I decide to just push past the discomfort and walk back out to the stands. There’s no reason to ruin the day by being paranoid. I’m absolutely not going to say anything to Cyrus.

The second half starts with a bang, Declan takes the ball all the way down the pitch and scores a goal. That play seems to awaken the team and two more goals are subsequently scored. The semifinal ends with Trinity taking the match three nil.

Chapter

Seventeen

CYRUS

“You’re quiet.” I look out of the corner of my eye at Harper. She passed out in my bed last night an hour after we got home from Declan and Emerson’s match. I couldn’t sleep, so I started a new painting. “Is something wrong?”

“No.” She reaches over and links her fingers with mine. “I’m just enjoying the drive.”

“Excited to see Banks?”

“Yes. I miss him.”

“Have you decided what you’re going to say to him about this?” I lift our joined hands, her diamond sparkling in the sunlight.

“I’m going to accept his proposal, but not until I talk with Declan and we figure everything out. He’s been so busy with the end of the season that I haven’t had the time to really sitdown with him. I’m hoping we’ll find the time when we’re on vacation.”

“I’ll make sure of it. It shouldn’t be too hard to coax Emerson away for a few hours.”

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