Page 172 of How to Score Off Field

After we finish eating? “You planning on laying me down in the hay field?”

“Nope.” He pops an olive into his mouth and chews thoughtfully. “Bed of the truck.”

I shift my gaze, looking at the back of the truck. It’s filled with blankets and square pillows.

“I was thinking we could do some stargazin’.”

Stargazing?

I feel a rush of anticipation. “That’s so romantic.” I swear I can feel my heart fluttering inside my chest. Stomach, too.

He shrugs nonchalantly. “Hey, it’s a classic move in the movies for a reason.”

“Was it your idea?”

Another shrug. “Mostly.” He pauses. “Drake and Daisy were excited to help. He wanted me to string up lights and have music, but I didn’t have time to figure all that shit out.”

Wireless speaker?

Speaker from the truck?

Stop it, Tess.

“Well, this is perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

He considers my words. “If you could change one thing about the past three months, what would it be?”

Oh, we’re going to dive right into the serious topics, are we?

I have to think about his question because if anything had been doing differently or changed, we may not be right here, in this moment. And right here is where I want to be.

“I don’t know, actually. Probably…” I think. “I’d probably have said something to you sooner about my feelings for you. And I would have let you put the moves on me first, instead of going at you like a horny teenager.” I laugh, despite being serious.

“I don’t think there’s a man on earth who would object to a smart, funny, and pretty girl puttin the moves on him.”

“I know, but you know what I mean.”

He nods. “I know what you mean.”

“What about you—what would you have done different if you could go back in time and change things?”

He pulls a thoughtful face. “I have no idea. Maybe how things went with Grady. We’ve been friends for a long time and it makes no sense why he’s pissed about us being together. He knows me. He knows what kind of guy I am, there’s no logical explanation for his anger.”

My eyes move to the spot on his face that had been bruised and I cringe. “I know. You’re the best guy I know.”

I say it because it’s true.

Drew Colter is the best guy I know and the past two weeks have proved it.

“Stop you’re makin me blush,” he demurs, ducking his head.

“It’s true.” I eat an olive.

“Things would have been simpler if he would have stayed out of it.”

Also true.

As the night unfolds, we talk and laugh, our words carrying the weight of shared feelings. With every passing moment, I can feel the connection between us growing stronger, the bond deepening in the midst of this enchanting setting.

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