Page 50 of A Pretty Fixation

Then Caleb gains the ball. I press record,admiring how well he maintains control, working his way down the field. Mybreathing stops as he takes the shot, kicking with so much force it flies pastthe goalkeeper’s head and lands inside the net.

“Goal!” supporters yell all at once.

Excitement propels me from the bench.

We cheer for Caleb and the team.

Then it hits me.

That was the first goal.

Three goals for my first kiss.

Oh shit.

I sink onto the bench, my heart galloping with adifferent form of excitement. Skin heating at the memory of him pressed againstme in the woods on Monday night.

Scarlett bumps my arm. “You okay?”

I swallow hard and hum, “Mmhm.”

“So, you’re seriously going to make a reel foryour boyfriend?” she teases.

“He’s not… Anyway, it shouldn’t be hard. I’llpiece together footage from a few matches.”

She squints at me playfully. “I don’t blame you.Caleb’s a great player, huh. He’s working hard.”

To kiss me.“Yeah.”

“He’s the best on the team,” a girl bellows behindus. “Go, Caleb!” I get the possessive urge to slap her.

“I guess so,” Scarlett chuckles, snapping me backto my senses.

Refocusing on the match, I marvel at Caleb’simpeccable skills.

He’ll definitely achieve those three goals.

Do I want him to kiss me? That’s like wondering ifice is cold. The answer is obvious, and I shiver at the thought of doing morethan kissing.

The referee blows the whistle for halftime.

Players head from the field, and spectators maketheir way to the concession area.

Scarlett hands me a bottle of water and chips fromher tote. “Oh wait, I forgot he met your parents. How’d that go? You didn’tsay.”

Drinking a bit more, I stare at the field as Ispeak. “They confirmed some things. We stayed at the same foster home. But myparents said I never went by Dove. Only Jordyn.”

Scarlett remains quiet, letting the noise around usfill the background. “You had that flashback, though. You remembered himholding your hand.”

“If it was him. Just because we were at thatfoster home doesn’t mean I’m Dove.”

“Hey. Remember what I said, JD. You don’t have tobe her to date him. You like Caleb. So give it a shot.”

I turn my head to meet her gaze. She knocks myknee with hers and smiles. “It’s so damn obvious you like the guy.”

“Hm. We’ll see how it plays out. Who knows? Maybesomething else will come back.”

We finish eating the snacks.

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