Page 27 of Out of the Shadows
I turned to see the football team streaming out of one of the exits that lead to the locker room and immediately perked up. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and I tried not to look too eager as I scanned the crowd for Colt’s large frame. Problem was, he wasn’t the only big guy around these days, unlike back in high school where he’d always been easy to spot.
A few of the older cheerleaders sauntered over to the players, and I turned to Kyra. “Is it okay to go say hi to someone real quick?”
“Sure.” She shrugged. “We’re still on a bit of a break anyway. I had no idea you were friends with anyone on the team.”
I smiled tentatively. “Yeah, actually, my boyfriend’s on the team.”
“Oh, shit, really? Who?”
“Colt Michaels,” I replied, tensing while waiting for her reaction. Her head pulled back ever so slightly, her eyes widening a fraction, but it wasn’t purely incredulous astonishment. Points to Kyra, maybe we could be friends.
“Good for you,” she said, and I nodded, then headed over to the football players as well. The sun beat down on me relentlessly, and I was sure I looked disheveled, but I didn’t care.
Ifinallyhad a chance to see Colt, if only for a few minutes, who gave a fuck about a little sweat.
I tugged at the fabric of my shorts, wishing I was wearing more than just them and a sports bra, given the hungry stares of some players, but it was just too hot for much else.
Besides, the cheerleading uniforms didn’t cover much more. I should be used to it by now, but it was different cheering in a group in front of a crowd in the stands than walking alone toward a pack of enormous men.
I eventually spotted Colt, who was standing half-turned toward me, a bottle of water held to his lips, his throat working as he sipped. Damn, why did he look so hot whendrinking?
When I was within a few feet of him, I called his name. He turned so fast I thought he was trying to catch his own shadow, but before he could say a word, I decided to play my part to its fullest.
I ran the last few steps to him and jumped into his arms. Well, more like I leapt at him, and he had the presence of mind to catch and lift me.Guess he had good reflexes off thefield too. My face was pressed against his chest, and I inhaled his scent, enjoying the feel of his big hands under my thighs.
He moved one hand away to place it on my lower back while the other effortlessly held me up.Shit, why does that turn me on so much?I leaned back a little to look up at his face.
“Hi,” I said breathlessly, a smile breaking out on my face at the look of astonishment on his.
“Hi?” It sounded more like a question, and I snickered.
“Fancy meeting you here.” I winked at him as someone cleared their throat behind us.
Still in Colt’s arms, I turned my head to the side to see three guys behind me, one of them being Knox, the guy from the stairwell the other day. A quick glance around told me they weren’t the only ones watching us with more than a little interest.
“Michaels, who we got here?” one of the guys behind me asked, looking like the cat that caught the canary.
Carefully, I slid down his body back to my feet and turned to face the group but stood directly in front of Colt. His towering presence behind me was comforting, making me feel like nothing could ever happen as long as he was there.
He cleared his throat, and I could’ve sworn I felt the vibration on my skin.
“Guys, this is Hailey, my girlfriend.” I watched them with eagle eyes, and no one seemed overly taken aback, which I found oddly comforting. It gave me the impression that Colt was surrounded by better people here than he had been back home in high school. He deserved it.
“Hailey, this is Asher and Jax. You already know Knox.”
I waved at Knox and the other two dudes in front of me. “Hey, Knox. And nice to meet both of you.” Asher, the onewho’d asked the question, was shorter and leaner than Colt but still very tall compared to me, with beautiful mocha skin, a mop of tight black curls, and a bright-white smile behind a close-cropped beard.
Between him and the broad-shouldered Knox stood Jax, the third of the group. His reddish-blond hair fell almost to his shoulders, but the sides of his head were shaved. His eyes had a piercing, intense brilliance, and his features were rugged.
Asher grinned at me cheekily and spread his arms. “No, it’s nice to finally meetyou. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Have you?” I eyed him skeptically, doubting Colt had suddenly turned into a big talker.
“Nope. That’s why it’s so nice to meet you at last.”
“I see. Too bad I don’t have long.” I jerked my head back to the cheerleaders.
“Good thing I already have a plan. You’ve got to eat, right?” Jax spoke up.
