Page 34 of How to Score Off Field

Yes, my response was wussy, but it’s not like I’ll come right out and admit to his face that I had a crush on him when I was young.

He’s not much older than I am, but it always felt like lightyears. In reality, it’s two. I’m two years younger than Drew and three years younger than Grady.

I should have flat-out said yes.

I should have flat-out been like, “Yes, I wanted you to notice me.”

But I didn’t, and I was vague, and now he’s not going to know I had a hard-on for him while I was still that brace-faced kid.

No, not a kid.

A teenager with good taste.

Drew has always been a good catch and, from what I’ve seen and heard, a good boyfriend.

To my knowledge, he hasn’t had many girlfriends, but those he did have never had anything nasty to say about him after their breakups. And Grady has certainly never talked shit about him. Plus, he’s adorable.

If you can call someone over six foot twoadorable.

Which I do.

If I thought Drew was cute when we were teenagers, he could only be described as hot now. Prime grade A hot man meat.

Stop it. You did not just call him that.

I’m sorry, but HELLO, have you seen his arms in that shirt?

He was supposed to get off that plane looking like a scrub or a slob, and he was supposed to do me a favor by being a bit of a douche. But he’s none of those things. If anything, he’s gotten better looking because he’s more of a man now than a child.

What would he do if I…

…flirted with him?

Just a little?

Not that I’m good at flirting, but…

Just once.

Or twice.

It couldn’t hurt, right? Plus, he’s leaving tomorrow, and I won’t see him again for who knows how long. He isn’t invited to Lucas’s wedding, just the bachelor party tonight, so the odds are favorable. He and his brother play in the Bowl game during the holidays, so he’s usually not home then, either.

“I was young,” I repeat. “But I’m not young anymore.”

I flip my hair over my shoulder, then glance over it, giving him the most coy smile I can muster.

Shit.

Alcohol would help.

But you’re not a day drinker, Tess.

No time like the present to become one. Ha!

Drew is watching me, his expression unwavering and hard to read.

Serious.

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