Page 29 of The Love of My Next Life
But then those rich brown eyes and kind smile morph into ice blue orbs and a troublemaking smirk. It shocks me at first, and I fist my hands on my thighs. I see Macon, shirtless and covered in wet clay, with his unruly mop of curls pulled back with a sparkly pink butterfly clip.
The unwanted invasion makes me angry, and I screw my eyes shut to try and force him out of my head.
“You okay?” Claire’s voice makes me jump, and I whip my eyes to the driver’s seat. She’s darting her attention back and forth between me and the road, her face etched with concern. “Do you have a headache? Are you carsick? I have ibuprofen.”
I shake my head and force a smile.
“No, thank you,” I breathe out. “I think I’m just a little tired.”
“You want to go home?” she asks, but her tone is reluctant. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t disappoint her like that.
“No,” I say brightly, “but thank you for offering.”
Claire smiles then, and bounces a little in her seat as we turn onto Josh’s road.
“Just a few hours, okay? We’ll be home before curfew.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re never home before curfew.”
Her grin is conspiratorial. “We’ll sneak in, and no one will be the wiser.”
I shake my head. She gives Macon so much shit, but she’s just as bad about some things. She’s just better at hiding it.
We park on the road in front of Josh’s house, and I hold my hand out for the keys the moment Claire cuts the engine. She eagerly slaps them in my palm. We climb out of the car and lock arms, then make our way up the long drive. Josh and Eric pulled into the driveway, so it’s just Claire and me.
We enter the house and go to the kitchen, just like last time, and Claire pulls a seltzer from the fridge. I’ll come back for a glass of water in a bit. We do a lap. Claire flirts and gossips with whomever she can. I smile and nod, fielding questions about my relationship with Eric. People who usually don’t pay any attention to me are suddenly very interested in my life and who I might possibly be dating.
“We’re just friends,” I repeat, and each time I’m met with skeptical looks. I don’t acknowledge them. How can I elaborate on that question for them when I’m not even sure myself?
When Eric and Josh find us, I’m relieved for all of fifteen seconds. Then Josh whisks Claire away to dowhatever, and I’m left alone with Eric. My back is to the wall by the stairwell and he’s leaning over me, engulfing me in the scent of leather that tickles my nose.
“Thanks again for coming tonight,” he says, his eyes intent on mine. “I think I played better knowing you were in the stands.”
I laugh and roll my eyes. It’s so cheesy, and so obviously a line.
“Yeah, okay,” I tease. “Like the star running back needs a good luck charm.”
He bites his lip with a grin and shrugs. “You never know. It felt different.”
I glance down and calm the twitch of my lips to stretch wider. Being complimented by Eric is weird. Being flirted with is even weirder. It fills my stomach with butterflies and my brain with fuzz.
“I guess I should come to some more games, then,” I say quietly. “Just in case.”
He reaches out and toys with the end of my braid, brushing the ribbon through his fingers. I brace for a tug that doesn’t come.
“I’d like that,” he whispers, and leans forward slowly.
He’s going to kiss me. I panic.
I lick my lips and dart my eyes around the room. People are watching. A lot of people. I don’t want my first actual kiss with him to be here in this crowded room full of gawkers. My shoulders tighten and anticipate his lips on mine, but they never land.
Instead, I jump forward with a yelp as cold liquid sloshes down my back. The smell of beer fills my nostrils. I whip my eyes to the stairs to find Sam cackling down at me, an empty red cup in her hands.
“Oooops,” she slurs. I rapidly scan behind her for an ice blue glare, but I don’t find one.
“Real nice, Sam,” Eric growls, and he brushes his hand down my back in an attempt to swipe the beer off. He’s unsuccessful. The alcohol has already saturated the jersey and my tank top underneath. “Fuck, my jersey is going to reek now.”
“It was an accident,” she purrs. “But the smell might be an improvement for Leonard. You should thank me.” He glares at her as she slinks away.
