Page 33 of The Way We Win

“What are you doing here?” I’m breathless, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

He’s so tall, I have to arch my neck to look up at him. His cap is gone, and his dark hair hangs messily over his forehead. He looks younger, more vulnerable because of it.

His bare arms are lined with muscles, and the T-shirt he’s wearing stretches attractively over his chest. He’s so handsome—even more in the twilight.

His dark brow lowers over his blue eyes, and he shakes his head, seeming as bewildered as I feel. “I started walking…”

I swallow my emotions. “What about Kimmie?”

“Austin’s with her. He fell asleep on my couch, but I was worried about you. I didn’t want you to be here alone.”

“Austin’s at your house?”

“He was upset about what happened and wanted to talk. Then when he fell asleep, I needed to see you.”

A shiver moves through me.Needed…“Why?”

We’re standing here in the moonlight facing each other, barely holding back.

He takes a step closer. “I’m sorry I couldn’t go to you on the field today. I was angry, and I had to take care of the boys. But I hated what he said about you.”

“It wasn’t your fault. You’re doing your job, being a great coach.” My tongue touches my bottom lip. “I only wish…”

I can’t say it.

He steps closer. “What?”

Soft wind moves around us, and I look up at his intense gaze. His beautiful blue eyes move over my face like it’s a puzzle he’s trying to solve. His arms are straight at his sides, but his hands flex, almost like he’s fighting to hold them back.

The breath is tight in my chest, and my fingers tremble. I’ve never been in this place with him before, so close, so alone, so free.

I lift my hand, wanting to touch him. He’s always distant, forbidden, yet here he is, right here…

Light as a whisper, my hand floats over his heart. The warmth of his skin heats my fingertips. “I wish I knew what you were thinking.”

His lips part, but he hesitates. The muscles in my body tense as I wait, needing to know what he’ll say.

He turns, taking a step to the side and looking down. “Every year, a new set of boys comes to me with dreams. Their parents come with dreams, and they all want me to make them come true.”

“It’s a lot of pressure.”

“It’s not that… I don’t mind helping them do their best to achieve their goals.”

My brows furrow, but I don’t interrupt. He seems to be struggling with what he wants to say.

“It’s different with you.” Lifting his chin, he holds my gaze, and energy squeezes my heart. “I’ve always been able to control what I want.”

He steps closer, and I swallow a whimper. I want so much for him to say the words, to break the tension.

“What do you want?” I whisper.

His hand moves as if he’ll touch me, but he stops himself. “I want you to be safe. I don’t want you to be afraid.”

I blink up at him slowly. “I’m never afraid with you.”

“Allie…” The ache in his low voice is warm liquid in my veins. “You don’t know what those words do to me.”

I can barely breathe. “Tell me.”

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