Page 22 of Protect

I look back out my window. “I don’t normally mingle with this crowd,” I say truthfully.

“You aren’t here to mingle with them, you’re here to have ice cream with me.” He smirks that lopsided grin and I know I’ve lost any battle I had of going in there with him. He’s so relaxed all the time, nothing phases him. It’s kind of contagious and I will it to give me courage.

Rowan gets out of the car and I follow suit, but he’s at my side and towering over me before I even see him coming. He takes my hand in his, it feels warm and it’s like I just…fit with him.

He leans down, my heart thunders in my chest as he does.

“Forget them, it’s just you and me, yeah?” he says, his voice is deep and comforting in my ear.

His thumb strokes the inside of my palm. Okay, yeah, I’m pretty sure I’d do just about anything he asked when he’s touching me. I nod and smile up at him.

To my horror, all eyes are on us as we round the corner, Rowan stays a step behind me and places his hand on my lower back. It settles me a little.

He doesn’t get far before his teammates stop him, he does a little handshake with two of them and they start talking about some play they need to perfect for tomorrow night’s game. I stand beside him, feeling so awkward and out of place. Kyleigh is sitting with Brittany and Carmen, of course. Every single one of them wears little crop tank tops that showcase their figures and cut off jean shorts. It’s like they called each other and planned their outfits. The only difference is that Kyleigh highlights her very slender waist with a gold chain that circles her and dips below the top of her jeans.

“You all know Violette?” Rowan asks when there’s a small break in conversation.

His rugby buddies turn to nod and say hi, looking between me and Rowan. One of them is taller than the rest, with a round,kind of baby face but he isn’t chubby in the slightest, in fact he’s built like a brick wall.

“Max,” he says to me with a head nod. “You’re Jacob’s little sister.”

I nod and smile. “Yeah, but we’re twins, actually.”

“Wait…no way, you’re in our grade?” Max asks. We’ve had at least one class together every year, so my guess is if he doesn’t remember that, he’s probably never noticed me.

“Yep,” I say, popping the p.

Kyleigh snickers, I’m sure just to make me even more uncomfortable.

“Awkward,” someone says in a mock cough, and the rest of them laugh.

“You guys are dicks,” Rowan says to all of them. “This is why I don’t come out with you.” He turns to me. “Ignore them, Vi.”

“Ahh, come on, King…we’re just joking, sit with us,” Max says.

Rowan grabs my hand as he pulls the door open with the other over my head, guiding me in. “Nah, we’re good, see you fuckers at practice tomorrow.”

I make the mistake of looking back at Kyleigh through the window, and discover her eyes are on me and she’s holding her thumb and finger to her forehead forming anL, and laughing with Brittany and Carmen.

I look away quickly, doing my best to make conversation with Rowan to stop the bridge of my nose from stinging. They’re all just out there laughing because I’m with Rowan.

“You should come to my game tomorrow,” he says as we get in line.

“I am,” I say, watching the way his face shows surprise. It only lasts a few seconds until he realizes.

“Of course, you’re coming to watch Jacob.”

I smile. “My whole family is coming. Playoffs are a big deal.”

I scan the menu for anything remotely healthy. There is nothing.

“What are you gonna have?” Rowan asks, turning to face me while we wait in the long line. I blow out a breath.

Fuck it. I mentally block those girls out and decide to have whatever I want. I’m going to enjoy my date. I turn and smirk back at them over my shoulder, leaning in closer to Rowan. Mentally telling them,“You can make fun of me all you want, but I’m the one who’s here with him.”

“A scoop of rocky road, and a scoop of chocolate peanut butter with hot fudge and whipped cream,” I say.

Rowan starts laughing. “Nicely done. Love that you didn’t order a vanilla kiddie cone. You know what, I’m having the exact same thing.” His face beams with pride over my sudden burst of confidence.

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