Page 42 of Vexing the Viper

"I know I can." While looking in his eyes, all I can see is a trustworthy soul. "There was a reason I was saying we should be a secret, and it's not because I want to keepyoua secret. Or because I’m ashamed or embarrassed or anything like that."

"Then why did you say it?"

"Because of my dad." When I don’t continue, he grips my hand and interlocks our fingers. I squeeze it tightly smiling. "He has a lot riding on this season. He's worried if the team doesn't do well, he'll lose his job and they'll replace him with a new coach. It was one of the reasons he went recruiting at different universities last season. He was hoping to find new talent that could help improve the team, including you."

"And you think he won't like the idea of us dating?"

"No, I think he would stress out about the 'what ifs.' He would be worried about us breaking up and the tension between you and him. Or that you'd slack because you’re dating the coach's son."

King cuts me off before I can continue. "How would you know he would think that way? What if he was only happy for us?"

"I mean, he could be."

"Do you think it might be more that you want to keep us a secret from him because you don't want to stress him out?"

I sigh deeply, knowing he’s right. "What if it stresses him out even more? What if it makes him more worried?"

"I don't think you're giving Coach enough credit."

"Maybe. I'm a more glass half empty type of person. I always look for the bad in everything. There's never a time when I can look at the positive. Hell, you were on the other end of my wrath when I couldn't see how amazing it would be to have Creelin U open to humans. I always think the worst."

"And that's okay. Here's what we'll do. We won't be a secret, but we're not going to tell him right now. Why stress either of you out when we don't need to?"

"Are you sure?"

"Niko, I would do anything for you. And if you need to not tell your dad, then I'll back your plan. Okay?"

"Okay." I don't know what I did to deserve the amazing man sitting next to me, but I vow to cherish him as much as I can. The fact he's always so willing to do what I need? It means the world to me. I snatch a strawberry off the plate, taking a bite then holding it out for King. As expected, he sucks the rest of the strawberry into his mouth. Next, he gently takes my hand. He pokes his tongue out, licking at my fingers. He sets his eyes on mine, neither of us looking away as he licks and sucks all the strawberry juice off my hand.

"Fuck, that's so hot." I moan, shoving my fingers back into his mouth once they're clean. Chuckling, he licks them again, even though there's no more juice on them.

"How did I do for our first date?"

"Perfect. I can't imagine anything more perfect."

"Good."

We pack up the basket, then King lies down on the blanket, and I cuddle in next to him. The overcast night covers most of the stars, but a few shine through.

"This place is really beautiful," I tell him, staring up at the night sky. Creelin always seems so big, but gazing at the galaxies, it puts into perspective that we’re actually so small. Creelin U opening up their doors to the outside world has definitely changed my life. For the better.

“Do you see the patch of stars right there?” King asks, pointing to a group of stars off in the distance.

“I think so.”

“That one right there is Orion. It’s called the Hunter.”

“Wow,” I murmur. “How do you know about constellations?”

“Back home, we lived out in a rural area where there aren’t a ton of city lights. It’s easy to see the different stars. It’s something my mom used to teach me growing up.”

“I love that. Your mom sounds pretty amazing.”

“She really is. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

“Me either,” I whisper, a lump in my throat. I would love to meet his family; I can only hope they are as welcoming as King.

"This is going to be our place. We're going to make it a point to come up here all the time. Deal?"

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