Page 110 of Behind the Net

“I’m in awe of you,” I say into her ear, and when she pulls back to smile up at me, her eyes sparkle.

“Thank you for encouraging me,” she says. “That was…” She trails off, shaking her head. “Incredible. I felt like I was flying.”

My feelings hammer against my chest, wanting out. Nerves flash through me, and I search her eyes. Christ, she’s so pretty and perfect.

She got up on stage in a packed bar even though she was scared, even though her fuckface ex tried to crush her. I’m always encouraging Pippa to be brave, and now it’s time I take a fucking page out of my own book.

“I have feelings for you, songbird.” My heart pounds, and the rest of the bar falls away. “I like you so fucking much. I don’t want to pretend I don’t anymore. I flew out here for you.” Something expands in my chest, filling every corner with an intense warmth. Our gazes are locked, and my arms are still around her, keeping her close. “I don’t want to fight this anymore.”

Her eyes are bright and full of vulnerability. “Me neither.”

“Really?”

She nods, laughing lightly like she’s relieved.

I don’t know what to do with this feeling ricocheting throughout me. It’s like there are firecrackers in my blood. Fucking finally, I can stop fighting it.

“We’re going to figure it all out together.”

She smiles, and I fall a little harder for her. “I know.”

I almost missed out on this. I tried to fight this for so long. Unbelievable.

“Ten, nine, eight,” the bar around us chants, and I realize it’s seconds to midnight. Pippa blinks, looking around, before her gaze swings back to me.

“Happy New Year, Jamie,” she whispers.

I draw her closer. Something has shifted in my chest, locked into place. This is right. This is the way it’s supposed to be. I thought about her for all those years, and we found our way back to each other.

“Three, two, one,” people count before the bar erupts in cheers again.

“Happy New Year, Pippa,” I murmur before sinking my hand into her hair and pulling her mouth to mine.

CHAPTER53

PIPPA

“Do you have everything you need?”I ask Hayden later that night in my parents’ living room.

The guys didn’t have a place to stay because Hayden’s a twenty-three-year-old rookie who’s terrible at planning. We couldn’t let them sleep on the bus—they’d freeze—so they’re staying at my parents’ place. The drunkest players are already snoring on the floor, covered in blankets that I dropped over them.

My dad is going to lose his mind with excitement tomorrow. I bet he’ll make everyone pancakes.

Hayden waves me off. “We’re good.” His gaze flicks over my shoulder to where Jamie’s waiting.

My stomach flutters. Everyone saw us kiss at midnight. After, Rory gave me anI told you solook.

“Okay.” I give Hayden and Rory, who’s on the couch, a wave. “Good night.”

Rory winks. “Night, Pips. Don’t let Streicher keep you up all night.”

My face burns red as we head up the stairs, and my body hums with wound-up energy. I’ve been buzzing with anticipation for hours.

I hide a smile as we reach the upstairs landing, and his hand slips into mine. Outside my bedroom door, we pause, and the tension in the air grows as he looks down at me with a hot look.

“Hi,” I whisper.

His eyes warm, and he presses a kiss onto my mouth. His tongue parts my lips, and I lean into him as he strokes into me, so warm and careful. He walks me back until I’m against my bedroom door, and when his hand comes to my hair, he angles my head back so he can get deeper.

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