Page 62 of Matched

The players filed out onto the pitch then, and I remembered exactly why. The sexy, dark-haired guy jogging across the grass, his lips curving into a gorgeous smile when he saw me sitting there watching him. When our gazes connected, a jolt went through my body.

I played it cool, of course. When I deemed it safe to take out my earbuds, I got drawn into a discussion with Noah and Elliot about the cup semi-final at the weekend, which was an away game in Cardiff, and gradually relaxed when Elliot acted completely normal around me. But I kept sneaking glances at Nate, my gaze returning to him time and time again.

“Are you coming to the match? We’ve got a block booking in a Premier Inn.”

“Huh?” It took me a second to realise Elliot was talking to me. Ripping my gaze away from the sight of Nate’s thighs flexingas he tackled Levi, I turned to Elliot. “Sorry. I was miles away. Uh. No. I wish I could, because I know the team needs the support, but I’ve got to work at the student union. They have that big beach party night, and it’s all hands on deck.”

“Shame. It won’t be the same without you. Even JJ’s going. You can’t get out of work?”

“No. I really wish I could, but it’s gonna be too busy.” Torturing myself with thoughts of what Nate and I could get up to in a hotel room was not a good idea. “Text me updates if you can. I’ll keep my phone on me, and I won’t be starting work until the match has almost finished, anyway.”

“I will.” Shifting closer, Elliot lowered his voice so he couldn’t be overheard by the others. “Hey. I just wanted to say if you ever want to talk about anything, I’m here. Ander, too.”

“Thanks.” I flashed him a quick smile. We fell silent again, returning our attention to the pitch. As the players took a quick break, Nate jogged over to speak with his sister. I wished he would come over to me, but there was no point in inviting questions. It had been easy when I’d been training with the team and we’d been just friends, but now I was paranoid and second-guessing all our interactions. Probably no one would care, but I didn’t want to make life any harder for him.

When the practice was over, everyone else headed off to cluster outside the changing rooms, waiting for the players. Flipping my cap around so I could catch the sun’s rays on my face, I sprawled out on the grass with my earbuds in, remaining there as the players began exiting the building, people gradually trickling away until I was the only person left.

A shadow fell over me. Shielding my eyes with my hand, I looked up and smiled.

Nate sank down next to me, dropping his bag and a football next to his feet. He handed me his half-full water bottle, and I handed him one of my earbuds. Leaning over, I picked up theball, rolling it between my legs, and then back over to Nate. We didn’t speak. There wasn’t any need.

When our eyes met, we both leaned in, and I lost myself in the slide of his mouth against mine.

This was everything I needed, right here. The sun on my skin, a football at my feet, and the company of the person who was beginning to mean everything to me.

25

The soft thud of the front door closing behind Jonas was still echoing in my ears when I pulled out my phone and typed two words.

Come over.

My heart rate kicked up as I stood in the silent lounge, waiting for a reply from the boy who had become my obsession. What had my life been like before Charlie Brooks had come along with his bright smiles and playful banter, batting his long eyelashes at me one minute, and accusing me of being a mugger the next?

My phone buzzed.

Charlie:

Now?

Me:

Yeah. Jonas has gone to Jada’s. Joe’s here but he won’t come out of his room

Charlie:

I’m on my way

It seemed to take forever for the next text to arrive, but when it did, I sucked in a breath, stepping over to the front door and twisting the lock to open it.

“Hi,” Charlie said.

I wanted to kiss him more than anything. It was almost impossible to resist, especially when he was looking at me like he could read my mind. I was aware that Joe was here, though, and there was a possibility he could come out of his room, even if it was a slim one. “Hi. Come in. Be quiet.”

Charlie flashed me a grin, doing an exaggerated tiptoe movement through the lounge, and I had to bite back my laughter. When we safely reached my room and I’d closed the door behind us, I wasted no time in pressing him up against the wall and kissing him until we both lost our breath.

“What a welcome.” Charlie’s cheeks were flushed and his eyes were sparkling as he ran his hands down my back. “I need you to sneak me into your room more often.”

“As much fun as this is, I’m not sure I could handle the pressure of hiding you all the time. Jonas probably suspects something already. Maybe. I don’t know. It might be my paranoia.”

---