Page 83 of Fumbling for Perfection

Kendall stops her roaming eyes and glances at me, as if realizing her slip up. “Why, most of America and all of Boston. Duh.” She waves her hand in the air.

Nice save.

Rowan, being the hugger she is, hugs Walker. “I’m honored to know such a superstar. You’ve been the talk of the ER lately. I won’t mention how many nurses hinted they wouldn’t mind you getting injured so they could tend to you, but quickly rectified that they’d prefer it to not be during a game. Maybe a Tuesday afternoon papercut on your abs or rear end that needs stitches but doesn’t impede your game.”

While my face burns even hotter, everyone else busts out a laugh.

“I expected that from Kendall, not you,” Jackson says, wiping his tears. “My brother is a sexy beast. Who knew? Well, one of us knew.” His eyes meet mine and he gives me a wink, to which I reply with a scowl.

“We’d like to take you up on the offer for dinner,” Taylor offers, saving the day from more embarrassment.

“Really?” Walker looks surprised.

Again, my heart hurts for him. He’s like a little boy dying for attention but doesn’t want to come across too needy or desperate, afraid to be hurt and rejected again. It’s his innocence and humility that have me yearning for him again.

I may not be ready to risk my heart to him, but I want him as a friend, and Walker is hungry for friendship as well.

“We’d prefer if your hot teammates would join us,” Kendall says, folding her arms across her chest once the crowd has thinned and no more players are around.

“Kendall.” Rowan smacks her arm.

Walker doesn’t hide his amusement and locks eyes with me when he finally responds to Taylor’s question. “I’d love to join you all for dinner. My treat since you came out to support the team.”

“We came out to supportyou.” Jackson pats his shoulder, and the love and sense of belonging in Walker’s eyes nearly does me in.

“I take it your car is here?” Taylor asks. When Walker nods, he adds, “We can meet you at Cayenne, if Mexican is okay?”

“Sounds perfect.”

We make our way toward the parking lot and Walker stops at a tunnel leading down a restricted hall. “I’m parked over here. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Jackson gives me a not-so-subtle shove into Walker. “Riley, why don’t you ride in with Walker so he doesn’t have to be alone?”

Hell, my cheeks have barely had time to recover. Three times in less than five minutes and I’m burning up again. At least once we get to dinner I can blame it on the spicy food.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Walker says softly, still holding my forearms.

I tilt my head up and swallow. His scruff is neat and clean, and he smells like woodsy soap. My hands are trapped between our bodies, and his heart thumps loudly in his chest. I haven’t been this close to him since we danced on the yacht at Jackson and Taylor’s wedding.

“I don’t mind.” My words come out in a whisper.

“I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

Too late.“It’s okay.” Reluctantly, I drop my hands and step out of his almost-embrace. Turning over my shoulder to let them know I’ll go with Walker, I’m surprised to find us alone. “They left already?”

The corner of Walker’s mouth lifts. “Hightailed it as soon as Jackson pushed you into me.”

“Sorry about that. Your brother can be a pain in the ass.”

“Anytime.” He winks and reaches his hand out to take mine, then quickly brings it back to his side.

We walk side-by-side through the tunnel until we reach the private lot reserved for players. He unlocks the passenger door and holds it open for me. When I slide into his SUV, he looks down at my chest.

“I like my number and name on you.”

Before I can muster a reply, he closes the door and rounds the hood, which is a good thing because the wetness pooling between my legs tells me whatever words come out of my mouth will sound like a lusty moan.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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