Page 29 of One Spicy Summer

“Do that. In the meantime, are you ready to party?” The room erupts.

“Grab a drink, mingle, and get ready for some fun,” he continues. “Seven minutes in Heaven with a football player starts in ten.”

Then his hands slide onto my hips, and he pulls me back against him. “Save me a dance?” he whispers, lips brushing the back of my neck.

My cheeks flare. Not because I want him. But because if Ry sees this… I’ll be the one catching hell.

“Sure thing,” I lie. He grins, presses a kiss to my neck, and walks off to get the game started.

Suddenly, Agatha yanks my arm. “What the heck wasthat?” she hisses.

“Wish I could tell you,” I say, still stunned. “No idea what’s gotten into these football players. Didn’t they learn from what happened between me and Wiley?”

“Maybe they need a refresher,” she laughs. “C’mon. Let’s check out this seven minutes in Heaven crap.”

I huff but let her pull me away.And I can only imagine where this night is going.

* * *

Later…

The game turns out exactly how it sounds, seven minutes in Heaven with a football player.Girls lining up to make out with half the team, giggling like it’s prom night and their fantasies are finally coming true.

When Rygaard steps up, I don’t wait to see what happens. No way am I watching him disappear into a closet with some other girl.

“I’m gonna go get a drink,” I shout to Agatha. She nods, not taking her eyes off the scene.

The second he steps forward, the room erupts in howls and catcalls. It’s like he’s the next one up to bat. In a way… he is.

I bail.Coward move? Definitely. But my pride is intact.

At the drink station, Ryleigh spots me. “Prez, what’ll it be?”

“Something to give me the courage to do something out of the ordinary,” I say without blinking.

She grins. “Say less.” A moment later, she slides a cup toward me. “Bottoms up, baby girl.”

That nickname makes something stir deep inside me. I sniff. “Shit, that’s strong.”

“You bet your ass it is. Now quit playing and drink it.”

I toss it back. “Fuck. That burns so good.”

“Another?” she offers.

“Two more.” And she delivers.

Now I’m buzzing. Warm. Lightheaded. Feeling like I could do somethingreallystupid.

“Alright, baby girl, go out there andlivea little,” she says.

I’m ready. Only… Rygaard is nowhere to be found. “Bloody hell,” I mutter.All that liquid courage, wasted. He’s probably in that damn closet with someone else. It’s probably for the best. Still, I wander off, looking for a staircase, somewhere to disappear and sleep this off.

“How could I be so stupid to think he actually wanted me?” I mumble.I find a door, twist the knob, and slip inside. Empty. Thank God. I push it closed… Only to be shoved back as someone steps in.

“What the hell, ?” I yelp as strong hands catch me by the waist.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

---