Page 25 of Poppy Kisses
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Poppy
Jensen lined up behind the ball, going farther back than I would before a kickoff. I tried to catch my breath.
In that little conversation, he’d referenced my butt and my breasts. He was teasing. The hurt trickling into my consciousness wasn’t necessary. I should be glad he hadn’t followed it up with,but you’ll never have cheeks as sweet as Hassie’s.
A quiver ran through my belly.
Jensen concentrated on the ball for several seconds before taking a few loping strides and kicking. His attempt landed in front of the fence to the pasture.
“Good job, Dad!” Auggie shouted.
It wasn’t a bad shot. We were going for distance, and that hadn’t been my best trait. I could do power and I could curve, but straight yardage? Not as good.
My years of experience had to count for something. Years I hadn’t used in a long time.
Laila kicked the ball, but it only went as far as Dad and Alder. My brother tapped it to Lily and she punted it toward me. It lifted into an arc through the air.
“Oops!” Lily called. “Sorry.”
“No problem.” I stopped the ball with my shin and set it in place with my foot.
Alder whistled and Violet clapped for what was basically a drill I’d done a million times. The old thrill I used to get when I played reared up, and so did the shame from the last time I coached and tried to act like I knew what I was doing. I stuffed it all down. I was enjoying myself, and I didn’t want to stop.
Jensen turned toward me, but instead of a gloating look, excitement sparkled in his eyes. “Show me what you can do, Boots.”
I should’ve been prepared, but I made a choking sound. “Boots now?”
He winked as he backed up to give me space. “I have a feeling it’s going to fit.”
“I had a cat named Boots.”
This was officially the weirdest challenge I’d ever taken on, and that included all the ones between me and Jensen as kids. He was almost complimentary. Impressed. And I had barely touched the ball.
I backed up opposite Jensen. I liked a curved path for penalty kicks. I was aiming for the direction Jensen’s kick had landed. Only farther, naturally. Visualizing the action, how it’d feel, and the length it’d fly, I concentrated. He’d done well, and my nerves had noticed.
I looked from the white-and-yellow ball by the cone to beyond the fence. Damn. I mentally laid a soccer field out in front of me. This would be like a Hail Mary kick to get the offense as far away from our goal as possible. A last-second chance to keep them from scoring before the clock buzzed.
I sprinted, speeding up as I went, then I clenched my abs and channeled all the power of my core into the kick. An oomph left me and I straightened to watch.
“Hot damn,” Jensen said. “That’s a good one.”
The ball crested, going straight. Some of my stomach acid settled down. I’d done well too.
After a few seconds, the ball hit the ground several feet beyond the fence. I threw my hands in the air as my family cheered.
Strong arms wrapped around my waist, and I was lifted off the ground. Jensen swung me around. “Helluva kick, Boots.”
Laughter bubbled out of me, but electricity charged across my skin.
“Let’s play kickball!” Cali shouted.
Jensen set me down, but he didn’t let me go. I could’ve spent an eternity smashed against his hard, strong body. “I knew you’d demolish me.”
He said it like he hadn’t doubted it. Touched, I put my hands on his shoulders, willing him not to let go. “You had me scared, not gonna lie.”
He grinned. “We could try throwing a football.”
