Page 12 of Refusing Kendall

His lips twitch like he’s trying not to smile, “No. This is us checking on our woman.”

Nothing else matters in this moment. Those words turn my brain and heart to mush.

“And bringing her gifts,” Goose adds holding out the coffee to me. When my fingers close around the cup, he says, “We figured this would be more appreciated than something like flowers.”

“Right you are,” I confirm with another kiss to his lips.

As I let him go and take a step towards Mav, the latter holds up a hand, “I’m going to need you to turn around.”

I’m sure that my confusion is written on my face, but I do as he says.

“Sexy as always, though, I must say, I’m glad to see that you got the wrinkles out of your ass,” Mav says.

There are a couple of girls passing by, and they let out a giggle at him. I feel my face turn pink, but I’m not truly embarrassed. Turning back around, I walk over until we’re standing chest to chest. The smirk on his lips leaves me no choice but to kiss it. As the one who always makes the first move, he only hesitates for half a second before dominating the kiss. When we pull apart, I know that my cheeks are really pink now. I’d love nothing more than for us to sneak into one of these empty rooms and have him give me a damn good reason for skipping my next class.

Unfortunately, he reads my mind. Leaning down next to my ear, his warm breath tickles as he says, “Later.”

His whispered promise sends a thrill through me.

“So, where are we off to?” Goose asks throwing an arm around me on the opposite side of Mav.

I put on a fake appalled face, “You don’t have my schedule memorized? I’m offended.”

It’s a rare feat to stun one of the guys speechless. This happens to be one of those instances. His jaw drops open like he’s trying to say something, but it just won’t come out. Elbowing him softly in the side, I try to reassure him, “I was only kidding, babe.”

A frown takes over his face, “Joking or not, you’re right. I’ve been a shitty boyfriend for not having it down by now.”

“You fucking stop that right now,” I say wrapping my arm around his waist and squeezing. “I seriously was just kidding. You guys have enough to remember without adding all my shit to the pile.”

“Your stuff isn’t shit,” Mav says, breaking into our conversation.

Having backup seems to lighten Goose’s mood, “Yeah, what he said. I just feel like we haven’t given you the attention you deserve since the season started.”

Mav holds the door open for us, and I take in a breath of fresh air. Cutting across the grass towards the building that houses my next class, I wait until we’re out of range of any eavesdroppers before I whirl on them. “Look,” I start, “I knew what was going to happen once the season started. Do I miss you guys like crazy? Fuck yes, I do.”

Mav’s eyebrow quirks up as he stands with his arms folded against his chest. Hands in his pocket, Goose has a grin plastered on his face, almost like he’s glad this little argument started.

But I want to make sure that he understands, “I was kidding about the schedule. You have so much shit to remember on a daily basis that I’m surprised your brains aren’t fried by this point. I don’t take any offense at all for you not knowing my schedule by heart. As far as the attention, you come home every weeknight that you can, and you stay on the weekends. We can’t ask for much more than that right now.”

“Hey, babe. Let me hold that for you,” he smiles reaching out for the coffee in my hand.

I know that my confusion shows on my face at the abrupt change of subject, and I start to ask him why the attempted distraction. Only I’m cut short as arms go around my middle, and I’m lifted off the ground. Lucas’ face zooms by, as do the other two, as Teagan’s laugh hits my ears. Once he finally sets me down, I try not to let the dizziness get to me. Thankfully, T keeps his hands on my hips to hold me steady.

Shooting the same question at them as I did Mav and Goose earlier, Lucas answers, “We got out early and wanted to come see you.”

He pulls me in for a hug and kisses my temple, “We would’ve been here with the other two, but coach sent for us.”

“Hey,” Goose asks, “What was that about anyways?”

Lucas shrugs, “I don’t know, but it must not have been very important. We waited for thirty minutes before Gregory came in to tell us coach said he’d just talk to us at practice tomorrow.

“Fucking waste of time if you ask me,” T says hugging me from the back and ultimately squishing me between him and Lucas. “Especially when we could have been over here with our girl.”

“You didn’t miss much,” Mav tells them.

“Just Kendall trying to give me shit for not knowing what her schedule is,” Goose says trying to keep a straight face.

As my jaw drops, the four of them start laughing. I reach out and take my coffee back from him.

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