Page 27 of Strong Side
“Nothing. I just think you’re funny.” She giggles.
“Oh, yeah? Why am I funny?” I cup her hand with both of mine.
She smiles but tucks her head. “A lot of the guys who play baseball are obsessed with her. And from what I hear, she’s made her rounds with other athletes. But you totally blew her off. Surely, you think she’s pretty.”
“Noelle, I don’t see anyone but you.” I move one hand to her chin and tilt it, then lean across the table and kiss her. “But even if I did see her, I wouldn’t find her attractive because of her lack of sincerity when she was speaking to you. You know I can’t stand fake people, and she’s, like, the leader.”
“Leader of the fake people,” she repeats and laughs.
I look over Noelle’s shoulder to see Greer on her phone. “She’s texting right now. I hope she’s telling everyone you’re here with me.” I look back at Noelle. “Should we give them something to talk about?”
“What do you mean?” She tilts her head in question.
I pull her chair right next to mine and put my arm around the back. Then I cup her cheek and turn her face toward mine. “I mean, I’m gonna kiss you. And I want everyone in here to see it.”
“Okay,” she whispers against my lips.
Then I kiss her. And I don’t stop kissing her the entire time we’re there. Because for me, nothing about this is fake, and I’mgoing to take advantage of every chance she gives me to show her how good we can be together.
CHAPTER
TWELVE
NOELLE
“Dating”one of Walker’s star football players definitely has its perks. Since the last game, when Casey kissed my cheek, which made it onto social media, the baristas at the campus coffee shop have been overly friendly. And if Casey is with me, people we don’t know nod and say hello when they pass. It’s a little weird. Even though Trey was an athlete, the football players here are treated like royalty.
Case in point, I walk out of my last class of the day and see Casey standing at the end of the walkway, talking to a very pretty blonde. I mean, she’s looking at him like she’d get on her knees right here in the middle of campus. And I have to say … I don’t like it. Because the more we act like a couple, the more my feelings are changing into something more than friendship.
Jealousy doesn’t look good on me, so I try to suck in these feelings because, really, I have no real claim on Casey.
As I walk toward them, he turns and sees me. The friendly smile he was giving her is replaced by the smile I love and know is genuine. I wonder what he would do if I leaned in to kiss him in front of this girl.
The thought of kissing him has nearly consumed all my thoughts since the other night. I want to kiss him again desperately, but he hasn’t made a move since our date night. I mean, why would he? It’s not like we’re really dating.
“Hey,” he says, walking up to me.
I look over to the girl he just walked away from and see she’s glaring at me with a fake smile. Maybe I shouldn’t be so happy he didn’t give her a second glance, but I am. So, when he reaches me, I lift up on my toes and wrap my arms around him.
“Hi,” I say as I pull back. “Was she part of your fan club?”
He laughs and wraps his arm around my shoulders as we start walking. “I mean, she might be the president. Who knows?”
“Right, right.” I know he’s joking, but still, I don’t like it. “So, I was thinking, do you want to come over tonight? I’ll make dinner, and we can watch a movie or something.”
“Yeah, that sounds good. Do you want me to come straight from practice?” He drops his arm from my shoulders, but grabs my hand.
“That works. Anything in particular that you want to eat?” I look up at his face.
He smirks and bites his bottom lip. “Uhhh, yeah. But I’m not sure we’re at that stage in our relationship yet.”
“What do you—” The heat that rushes to my face must be noticeable as I finallygethis meaning.
Oh my.
There’s no way I can hide this reaction I’m having to the visual that just popped into my head, but also, this could be my chance to bring up something I’ve been thinking about.
I clear my throat to remove the frog in my voice. When we’re outside and away from prying ears, I broach the topic. “Speaking of what I think you’re referring to, I was wondering if maybe you could help me with something.” The butterflies in my stomach right now are insane.
