Page 6 of Falling Stars

I set up my phone on the bookshelf and sit on the bed. With an awkward smile, I pat the spot next to me. “As I ask you questions, just be sure to talk to the camera, okay?” I clasp my hands together because they’re shaking.

“Wanna grab some wings later? I can drop you home afterward.”

“O-okay. Yeah,” I say, forgetting that I have my mom’s car tonight.

Before I lose my nerve, I jump up, hit record on my phone, and then settle back down on the bed next to Mav, a smidge closer than before. A second later, I start the interview. Here goes nothing. “I’m here with Maverick Walker, who scored three touchdowns against the Ravens. Mav, when you walked onto the field tonight, did you know you were going to kick ass?”

He chuckles and looks down at his lap. “I wasn’t sure I was going to do so well, but I hoped I would.”

“You single-handedly secured our undefeated status tonight. I won’t jinx us and talk about the future, but how does it feel to have such a big role in the success of our team?” I’m totally gushing over him, but I can’t seem to care.

“I’m honored. Truly. My teammates feel like brothers, and it’sa joy to play with them. They give their whole heart and soul on the field, and I’m grateful to be on such an amazing team.”

He’s such a team player. I love how he always shares the credit for their wins.

This is it. Don’t mess it up.

I take a deep breath. “This might be a little weird, but I have to ask you…” I turn to face him, and I’m once again struck by how handsome he is. I swallow because we’re so close. “Have you ever heard of the ‘kiss your best friend’ challenge?”

The spot between his brows pinches, and I wonder if I said it too fast. I do that sometimes. Say things so quickly that all the words run together.

Shit. What do I do now? The man looks confused.

Screw it. You only live once.

I reach up and grab his face and, before he can say anything, I press our mouths together and wait for him to kiss me back.

And wait.

Panic starts to set in.

Oh my God. What if he doesn’t like me and I’ve mauled him?

But then his head tilts, his hand reaches behind my head, and his lips move against mine.

He’s. Kissing. Me. Back.

Before I know it, our mouths open, and his tongue strokes against mine. Kissing him feels so good, I moan as my whole body pulses in time with my heartbeat. I’m about to crawl into his lap when someone bangs on the door, and we jump apart.

We look at the door, but no one opens it.

I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to hide my huge smile.

I wait for him to say something, anything, but his jaw goes tight, and that spot between his brow furrows again.

A second later, he jumps up, scrubs his face, and starts pacing.

That’s… weird.

Why is Maverick freaking out?

Because he paces when he’s upset.

A sense of dread fills me.

Say something, Baylee. Don’t let this get more awkward. You know Maverick doesn’t handle awkward well.

He stops and covers his mouth. “Bay… we… that…”

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