Page 99 of Crush
“Adam. The boy you met a few months back. I think you read him the riot act?”
“Yeah, I remember.” I grumbled. “Adam, huh. I didn't like the kid when I met him.”
“I know. But Chloe does.” She gave me a smile. “And if you let it be known that you don't like Adam, you'll only drive him further into Chloe's heart.”
I gulped. “Yeah. You're right. She's just so young.”
“I know it's not easy to see her grow up. But she's notthatyoung. She's in high school. The kids her age are all starting to date. And from what I hear about him, he seems like a good kid.”
I sighed. “Well. As long as you don't think it's a bad idea. I trust you. I guess I'll have to be a little more welcoming to him next time.”
“That's probably wise,” Brynn said, smiling.
I stared at the ground and shook my head. “Chloe has a boyfriend. Whoa. She's really growing up.”
Brynn giggled. “I'm sorry. Did that take all the wind out of your sails?”
“A little.”
“Maybe I can blow a little bit of that wind back into your sails?”
I was determined to remain surly, but I'll admit it, I liked the suggestive note in her voice.
“Try me,” I said.
“For one, you should feel great right now—your team won an important game tonight.”
I shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Andyouplayed a fantastic game.”
“Eh,” I grunted. “I did okay.”
“You scored the game-winning goal.”
“If I didn't score it, someone else would've.”
“How about this one?” Brynn lowered her voice to a breathy whisper. “Chloe's not the only girl around here with a new boyfriend.”
Okay—the last one managed to melt through the ice and put a spark in my heart. I didn't know that she was ready to think of us boyfriend and girlfriend, but I wasn't about to argue against it.
“You mean, a secret boyfriend?” I teased.
“You're not much of a secret boyfriend when you tell the whole hockey team about us, now are you?”
I snickered. She had me there. “You sure you're not mad I told them?”
“Positive. I love it, actually. Makes me feel like I'm yours.”
I stared into her eyes. I knew it was a bad idea, that we weren't supposed to do anything while the kids were here, but … I couldn't help myself. I crawled over the couch cushion that separated us. Mad that I was encroaching on his territory, Pickles let out a distressed mewl before he bolted. I slithered next to Brynn, wrapped a hand around her waist, pulled her under me and pressed my lips into hers.
In the stillness of the quiet house, the tell-tale sounds of our mouths, kissing and sucking, grew ever louder.
After a few minutes, Brynn pulled back, her brow heavy. “Shea, we shouldn't. One of the kids might hear us down here and wonder what's going on.”
“You're right. One last kiss.”
We shared one last kiss, soft and silent.
