Page 90 of The Long Game

That was why I was here, walking—or lightly limping—onto the field with a heavy box in my arms. And it was fine. Perfect, really.

As if some kind of bell had gone off in his head, Cameron turned around. Swiftly. But slowly. As if he was some gruffly handsome model in an ad campaign for something like… shavers for men. Because had he trimmed his beard? And when? I’d seen him this morning and all that facial hair had been in its usual disarray.

He shot me an angry look across the grass.

Ah well. Back to business it was.

At least I knew what the scowling was for. Cameron didn’t know I was coming to practice today. Technically, because I should—probably—be resting. That was why I’d called Josie, who had called Gabriel, who had asked his husband, Isaac, to pick me up from Lazy Elk and drive me to town. It was some complicated chain of favors I didn’t understand, but like Isaac had said the moment I’d complained and profusely apologized for being an inconvenience,This is how things work in a small town, honey. He’d also told me to shush it before going into a ramble about how he’d been spending a lot of time in Charlotte for work—because of hisuseless, turdyboss—and complimented me for my look. Although his words had beenI can’t believe you’re making it work, while glancing from my dress shirt to the hiking boots on my feet. I liked Isaac, and I got the impression he’d liked me, too.

Unlike someone currently in the middle of a practice field, surrounded by nine-year-olds and the one seven-year-old in a tutu, and sporting a newly trimmed beard that made him all the more handsome.

Cameron muttered something to Tony, the Green Warriors’ new assistant coach, and stalked in my direction.

My stomach dropped. And it wasn’t with dread. It was with something fuzzy and bubbly that made me feel light despite the fact he was looking at me with murder in his eyes.

“How’s the new hire?” I asked when he came to a stop in front me.

Cameron snagged the box out of my grip with one quick, outraged motion. “Adalyn,” he barked, sounding all angry and… soft. Ugh. I hated when he did that. “This weighs a ton.”

I forced myself to roll my eyes, the bubbly riot in my stomach getting worse by the second. “I know,” I admitted. “And before you ask, yes, I’m here. And yes, I’m fine and ready to work. And no, my ankle doesn’t hurt. And yes, the boots you insist on me wearing all the time are actually, shockingly comfortable for something so ugly. And no, I’m not going to sit this one out or live like a recluse anylonger after missing so much time with the team. And by the way? I might return to my cabin today.”

Cameron stared back at me for a long moment, then he said all confident and smug, “No you won’t.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What did you do?”

Cameron shrugged.

“What did you do to the cottage, Cameron?”

“There’s water damage in the bathroom.”

I gave him a bland look. “Did you go in there with a bucket just to make sure of it?” Cameron smiled and yes, my heart toppled to my stomach at the sight. I sighed. The truth was that I was comfortable in Cameron’s cabin. With him. I didn’t want to leave, either. “Do you always get away with what you want?”

He took a step forward, getting so close I had to tip my head back to meet his gaze. “Hopefully.”

My thoughts scattered. I had questions. I knew I had them. Important ones about the cottage. But his tongue peeked out and licked his bottom lip, dragging my attention there. “You trimmed your beard.” His mouth twitched and my hand reached out. Unconsciously. Thoughtlessly. I stopped myself. “It looks good.”

The fingers of his free hand wrapped around my wrist. “You can touch me.” He brought my hand closer to his face, and my breath caught in my throat. But I closed the rest of the distance on my own, and when my palm reached his jaw, I cupped his face. My fingers grazed the surprisingly soft beard. The skin on his cheek and neck, too.

Cameron’s eyes fluttered shut.

I moved my hand, my fingers brushing the side of his face with my nails.

“That feels so good,” he hummed.

It did for me too. I—

A whistle was blown close behind.

I dropped my hand. “The uniforms have arrived.” Green eyes reappeared. They were as dazed as I felt. “Finally,” I croaked. “That’swhat, hmm, is in the box. I should stop petting your beard and… check them.”

Cameron huffed out a laugh. “Feckinghell, darling.” He shook his head. “You thought you were petting me?” Another chuckle. “Way to shoot a man down.”

My cheeks warmed. But I refused to let this man sidetrack me again. “Did you just say ‘fecking hell’?”

“I don’t curse around the girls anymore. Manager said it was unprofessional.”

Oh. “That’s, um.” All the air seemed to escape out of my lungs. “That is sweet. Thanks for going the extra mile, Coach.”

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