Page 37 of Matched Up

And there he was.Leaning against the wall, hands in pockets.He looked over slowly.I hadn’t even said anything, it was like he sensed I was there.

‘Hey,’ he said.

‘Hey.’And the panic began to subside.

I jogged over, standing in front of him, between his legs, and leaned my head on his chest.His heart was racing.

‘Hey, are you OK?’he asked, prising me away gently.

I looked up at him and forced tears back from where they came from.So embarrassing.I couldn’tcry.But he did something to me, made all my feelings so much bigger than they’d ever been.He made them rise to the surface where they erupted like lava.He made me feeleverything.

‘Yeah, I’m fine,’ I lied.

He tilted my chin up to look at him, then pushed hair behind my ear.‘You sure?’

I nodded, scared of speaking.

‘You look amazing when you play, you know.’

That smile.Suggestive and warm at the same time, making his blue eyes shine.

‘Thanks.So do you.’

And it was true.He was such a natural.Beautiful to watch.

‘I don’t know about that.I also think your brother might kill me soon.Harrison has made me starting striker now, like confirmed.’

‘Yeah, he won’t like that.But it’s not your fault you’re better.’

‘Ah, he’s a great player; probably suits the wing better, that’s all.’

And it made me want to kiss him right there, how nice he was, even though Niall had been such a dick.It made him even hotter.But I didn’t, because I had something to ask him.

‘My parents are away this weekend, and Niall will probably go to Megan’s, so if he does, do you think you’d maybe want to come over?I could show you the beach?’

I was nervous now, looking at the size difference of my boots next to his.He was taking too long to reply …

‘I’d like that,’ he said eventually.

I smiled so hard it hurt.‘Yeah?’I looked up again and he was smiling too.

‘Yeah,’ he said.

I reached up to kiss him.Our mouths were warm and salty, and we fell into a perfect rhythm before he pulled away.

‘Maybe I could cook for us?’he said.

That was a shock.‘You cook?’

‘Yeah, just something I picked up.’

‘You get more impressive every time I talk to you,’ I said.

He laughed.‘I wouldn’t say that.I just like it, you know?’

‘I can’t wait.I’ll text you and let you know when Niall’s gone.’

‘Sounds good.’

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