Page 64 of Vital Blindside

Adam spins on him with wild eyes. “You do this?”

I reach out and press my palm to the rigid muscles of his jaw. Adam stills. “I wouldn’t have been sitting here if he had. I’m okay.”

He turns to me again, blinking. “Why were you crying?”

“Leo was letting me vent about what’s going on with my mom. We hit a sore spot.”

There’s no point in hiding it, nor do I really want to. Adam won’t judge me.

“Sweetheart,” he breathes. His eyes are focused again as he watches me.

“Sweetheart?” Leo echoes.

This time, both Adam and I turn to him.

“You’re going to get your ass beat,” I say.

“Adam wouldn’t do that to me. He wouldn’t risk ruining all the work he did healing me all up after my injury.”

“I wasn’t talking about Adam.”

“Yes, I would.”

We speak at the same time.

Leo crosses his arms and grumbles, “Cute.”

“Wanna scoot over, or should I pull up a chair?” Adam asks me.

I instantly move to make room for him. He sits beside me, his large body taking up most of the bench. Our thighs are pressed together, arms brushing. My body is one giant spark.

“So, Adam. Who are you cheering for to win the cup?” Leo asks after taking a sip of his water.

Adam settles his arm on the back of the booth. His fingertips brush my shoulder.

“If it were any other team up against you, I think I would cheer for the Woodmen. Can’t betray my team, though.”

“Fair enough. Letty is the same, no matter how many times I try to convert her.”

Adam’s eyes beat into my cheeks. “Doesn’t surprise me. She’s about as headstrong as they get.”

“I’m right here,” I mumble. The plate of nachos in front of us looks cold, but I pick them apart and slip a few into my mouth anyway.

“How long have you two known each other?” Adam asks.

Leo answers for me. “Since co-ed. We were, what? Twelve?”

I nod. “Yep. Couldn’t get rid of him.”

“So rude, Scarlett.” Leo sighs dramatically.

An involuntary shiver works through me when Adam starts tracing patterns on my skin with his fingers. My stomach fills with flapping wings.

“How has it been working with my Letty?” Leo asks. I could smack him at the possessive claim. He’s trying to spark a reaction from Adam, and from the slight tensing of his body against mine, it’s worked.

“Scary Spice is the best trainer I have. She’s phenomenal at everything she does. I have yet to work with anyone who has half the coaching potential she does.”

The sincerity and awe in Adam’s words pull my attention. Our eyes meet, and a breath is pushed from my lungs. I’ve always wondered what it felt like to be looked at the way he’s looking at me right now.

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