Page 86 of Hometown Hottie

“That’s okay.” I walked up to him, winding my arms around his neck and pulling him close, not minding the scent of fresh sweat at all as he wrapped his arms around my waist and held me for a second.

In that moment, it felt like everything was right between us. Like we were okay and like nothing could tear us apart.

But then the shrill shriek of a whistle pierced the air and Vance laughed. “Get your ass back here, Drake.”

“I should never have let him have a whistle,” Carson muttered into my hair, squeezing me tight. He finally let go and flashed me another grin. Then he started jogging backward, his eyes still on mine as he ran a hand through his hair. “Call me later?”

“You got it.” A girly thrill shot through me. My heart fluttered and my lips begged to smile.

As I held his gaze, I let the smile break free. He nodded, looking at me for just another second before he finally turned and headed back to the football players. When it was just the two of us, even when we were surrounded by people like we had been just then, our connection was so real and so alive that it made me wonder why things felt so difficult between us sometimes.

There were all these moments when us being together felt as natural as breathing, but then the world forced itself back into focus and poof! That connection didn’t mean a single damn thing and our relationship felt as doomed as ever.

Watching him from the corner of my eye, I crossed the field to the girls, finally forcing myself to forget about the guy and do what I’d apparently come here to do. The high school soccer team gave me a collective frown as I smiled and offered them a halfhearted wave.

“Hello, ladies. I’m Nova Murphy and I’m told you’re in a bit of a predicament.”

“Who?” One girl’s frown deepened, but another suddenly smacked her friend’s shoulder and stepped closer to me.

Her eyes were curious as she looked me over. “Nova Murphy, as in the Nova Murphy?”

I swept my tongue across my lips, not having any idea what she was talking about. “I don’t know about that, but I’ve never heard of another Nova Murphy in this town, so…”

“So you’re her,” yet another girl said excitedly. “You’re, like, a legend at school, Nova. You led your team to the championships in your senior year, right? I heard you even got a scholarship to play for Oklahoma U.”

“Uh, yes. I did.” I’d just had no idea anyone knew or cared about that. “I guess I am her, then.”

The first girl flushed, extending her hand toward me. She apologized. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Murphy. Coach Dell didn’t even tell us she knew you. We didn’t know you were going to coach the camp. I’m Annie Locke. The captain.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Annie. To be fair to Coach Dell, I didn’t know I was going to coach the camp either. I just got a phone call a few minutes ago, but if you’ll have me, then I’ll stand in for the day.”

“If we’ll have you?” She grinned. “We’d love that. Who called you?”

“Carson Drake,” I said, glancing at the man in question and trying not to drool at the sight of his ass in those pants as he bent over to demonstrate something.

“Of course, you’d know him.” Another girl sighed dreamily. “All our local legends probably know each other. Does that mean you know Vance Abrams too?”

“Yep, but we’re not here to talk about boys. We’re here to work.” I turned my attention to them, my tone sharp. I dropped my purse on the field and folded my arms. “Alright, ladies. You’re going to have to listen up because I don’t have a whistle and I don’t like yelling, but let’s get started.”

As I ran them through practice, exhilaration flowed through me. All my worries were washed away in its wake. I was loving every second of this, and when I looked over my shoulder to see Carson watching me with a smile on his face, I loved it even more.

I really didn’t know how he always seemed to know what I needed and how he found a way to give me just that, but he did. He really was something else. I just had to hope that I didn’t lose him because my mind was constantly someplace else. If I did, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get another chance.

All I needed was a little more time to figure out how to have it all—my home, my job, and my love. I just need a little more time.Please let him give me that. Please don’t let him give up on me just yet. Just not yet.