Page 106 of Hometown Touchdown
The one where his eyes soften, just barely, and one side of his mouth tilts like he’s thinking about a hundred things he can’t say in front of everyone. I look down, smiling into my drink like a total cliché. But I don’t care. I’m happy.
And then the music shifts. A slow song. Warm and twangy, with just enough ache in the vocals to make the whole place go a little still. A few couples sway near the makeshift stage. Someone turns the lights down. I glance toward the bar and see Kinsey give me a subtle thumbs-up. The crowd’s eating it up.
It’s about as romantic as Cedar Falls can get.
Which is exactly when Debbie Carmichael decides to strike.
She slinks over in her red boots and leopard-print mini dress like a honey trap in a Hallmark movie gone wrong. Her hair is curled within an inch of its life, and she’s wearing enough glitter to blind a person.
“Oh, Knox,” she sings, brushing her fingers over his shoulder like they’re old flames and not, in fact, complete strangers. “Dance with me?”
He blinks, caught off guard. “Uh…no thanks.”
She laughs like he just made a joke. “Oh, come on. Just one dance. What’s the harm?”
He shifts in his seat, uncomfortable. “Not really my thing.”
But Debbie—bless her relentless heart—leans in further, cleavage at eye level and desperation practically wafting off her. “You’re the coach. You’re strong. Athletic. Bet you’re a good dancer too.”
I stop breathing.
My hands go still around my glass. My jaw might actually crack from how tightly I’m clenching it.
BecauseDebbieis throwing herself at my man in front of the entire bar. And while he’s clearly not having it, she’s not taking the damn hint.
My eye twitches.
Kate glances at me with a slow, knowing smile. Cam starts to say something, but I’m already standing.
I don’t even remember making the decision. One second, I’m trying to be chill. The next, I’m storming around the table with all the poise of a woman about to throw down.
“Listen, Debbie.Deborah, I’m going to need you to leave Knox alone,” I snap, and her head swivels toward me, mouth half open.
She blinks. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I don’t know what fantasy you’ve built in your head, but this?” I gesture between her and Knox. “Isn’t happening.”
Debbie scoffs. “We’re just talking.”
“No,you’retalking. He’s trying to escape with his dignity.”
Knox stands now, reaching like he might try to de-escalate, but it’s too late.
“Knox ismine,” I say, loud and clear. “He’s not available. Not for dancing, not for flirting, not for whatever weird cowboy-themed seduction you’ve got going on. He’s taken. As in, not on the market. As in, get your hands offmyman. As in,go away now.”
The bar falls silent.
Debbie stares at me like I’ve grown horns.
But I don’t care.
Because right now, the only thing I can think about is how badly I want this town to know what we are. What he means to me. That I love him, damn it. That I’vealwaysloved him.
So I reach for him.
“C’mere, Coach,” I mutter.
I grab his shirt, pull him to me and I kiss him. Hard.
