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You can do this,I mentally whispered, focusing all of my attention on him as I eyed him from my perch.I know you can.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Claire asked in a low tone, hooking her arm through mine. “But you can’t tell anyone.”

“Of course,” I replied, turning to face her. “And I would never tell.”

“Something happened with Gerard.”

My eyes widened. “When you sayhappened?”

Claire blushed but didn’t elaborate.

I hesitated, unsure whether to push for more or wait for her to tell me in her own time. Finally, I settled on, “Whateverhappenedbetween you two…” I paused, trying to word it right. “Did it happen recently?”

“Kind of,” she whispered, biting down on her bottom lip.

“Are you…happyabout it?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Do you…regretit?”

“I think he does,” she choked out.

Frowning, I turned back to the pitch, where Gibsie was stealing glances at Claire. “Whatever it is that you did, I don’t think he’s regretting it, Claire,” I told her, catching Gibsie for the millionth time as he glanced up at where we were sitting. “He’s been watching you all morning.”

“This is all a big game to him,” she grumbled. “And I’m going to lose.”

“What?” I shook my head. “Claire, come on, don’t think like that.”

The sound of the coach’s piercing whistle cut through the air, signaling the end of training and putting an end to our conversation.

“Don’t say anything about it when he comes over,” Claire whisper-hissed as Gibsie bounded straight for us, caked from head to toe in mud. Seriously, he was so dirty you couldn’t make out what color his hair was supposed to be. “Please, Shan.”

“I won’t,” I promised, slapping on a bright smile as he approached. “Hi, Gibs.”

“Hey, little Shannon,” he replied before turning his attention to my best friend. “Claire-Bear,” he purred with a devilish grin. “I have something for you.”

Claire’s brows rose in surprise. “You do?”

“Uh-huh.” Nodding, Gibsie leaned against the barrier that separated the pitch from the stands and crooked his finger. “Come here and I’ll show you.”

Clambering over her seat, Claire approached him warily. “You better not be planning on— Oh my god, Gerard, don’t!” she screamed when he dragged her clean over the barrier and tossed her over his shoulder. “Put me down!”

“Are you sure you want to climb down my body?” he laughed, purposefully smearing her with mud as he lowered her to her feet. “I’m such a dirty boy.”

“You asshole!” she choked out through fits of laughter as he dumped a huge sop of muddy grass that had clung to his thigh onto her hair. “It’s not funny.”

“Then why are you laughing?” he snickered, dodging her fist when she broke free and swung for him.

“I was trying to lure you into a false sense of security,” she shot back, charging toward him.

“Hi, Shannon.” Johnny’s voice filled my ears and I swung my gaze to where he was leaning against the barrier, smiling at me. Instantly, my heart fluttered wildly in my chest.

“Hi, Johnny.” Blowing out a shaky breath, I stood up and moved toward him, only to hesitate. “You’re not going to do that to me, are you?” I asked, pointing to where Claire and Gibsie were having a full-blown wrestling match on the pitch. “Because I’m not into that.”

Johnny laughed softly. “Only if you don’t come over here and give me a kiss.”

Smiling, I closed the space between us and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his lips. “Hi.”

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