Page 107 of False Start

He tilted his head. “Um, yeah. I took a five-day car rally with you. They saw the posts.”

My cheeks burned, and I ducked out from under his arm, pulling my knee up on the couch to face him. “What did you tell them?”

“That I charmed you with my good looks and irresistible personality? That we’re wildly close?”

I laughed. “Not wildly close.”

“That I really like you.” His face turned serious, green eyes boring into me with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine and a quick punch of lust to my stomach.

I really like you too.

The admission was on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t push it out. Couldn’t admit that maybe, just maybe, I was falling for Trent, the cocky frat boy NFL hot shot.

Instead, I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Since you’re being so nice about it.”

THIRTY-FIVE

TRENT

I rakeda hand through my hair, palms sweaty like I was gearing up to play football.

“You okay, man?” Frankie asked from the passenger seat.

He’d flown in the night before, and I’d stayed at my place to greet him. Not that I hadn’t blown off Frankie for a woman before, but he’d been gone for weeks.

“I’m fine,” I insisted, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel as I turned onto Kit’s street.

I was surprised she’d agreed to come. We hadn’t put a name to what we were, other than “not friends.” Her suggestion, not mine. And while I’d tried to be as calm as possible, the ask felt like a date. Or at least date-adjacent.

“You look nervous? Think Simmons is going to rip you a new one?”

I shook my head. “Nah. Other than the naked slide thing, I’ve been on my best behavior.”

Frankie chuckled, but, after the rally, my online presence dwindled down to nothing. Compared to last off season, I’d been a damn saint.

I pulled to a stop outside of Kit’s apartment. “I’ll be right back.”

“Hell no. I want to meet this girl.”Frankie bounded out of the car.

He met me at the front door of her apartment complex just as Kit pushed her way outside. She wore a dark grey linen sundress, a bright blue strap peeking out from under the fabric that hinted at the bathing suit underneath. A bathing suit I was eager to see. Maybe too eager.

“Hey,” she said with a shy wave before her eyes wandered to Frankie.

“Frances Vigil.” He extended a hand and gave her a lop-sided smile.

Her cheeks heated as she reached out, fingertips brushing over his palm before shaking his hand.“Kit. Nice to meet you.”

“So, you’re the woman who stole my best friend’s heart his summer?” He didn’t release her hand, instead keeping her captive. And for her part, Kit didn’t pull away. Hell, she looked flattered.

“The woman who convinced him to join a car rally. I’ve certainly had nothing to do with his heart.”

Frankie didn’t look convinced. “Well, I’m still very glad to meet you.”

I elbowed between the two of them, forcing Frankie to drop her hand before swiping a kiss over Kit’s cheek. “Hey.”

She blinked, tearing her eyes away from Frankie with a confused look. “Hey, yourself.”

I took her hand, feeling an unfamiliar swell of jealousy. “Ready to meet my other teammates?”

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