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I’m not entirely sure he understands what that role entails, but I texted him the news earlier anyway. I was too excited not to.
Oddly, he was the only person I wanted to tell. I haven’t even told my mom yet. If I’m being honest, I don’t know if I care to.
“Hey. Thanks for making it.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”
That makes my insides melt.
“You looked good out there.”
The compliment doesn’t even register as I jump into what I did wrong.
“I was a little shaky when—”
“You looked good out there, Kota.”
I pause to look at him, really look at him. My own cheerleader.
He’s so sexy and he’s so mine.
“Thank you.”
“What are you doing now? Do you get to eat?”
Taking one of the granola bars from my bag, I jiggle it for him to see.
“That’s it? Want me to go get you something?” His thumb over his shoulder, he’s already backing away.
Granola bar between my teeth and my water bottle in my hand, I consider his offer as I set my bag down. As much as I appreciate him being willing to wait in line at one of the insanely busy concession stands, there’s no way he’ll make it back in time for me to be able to eat anything of substance.
After a small bite, I tell him, “I’m fine. I can’t fill up too much. We still have a lot of stunts to do.”
“Okay. Let me know if you change your mind. I’m right here.”
“You don’t have to be.”
The space between his brows creases. “You don’t want me to be?”
“I do,” I rush out. “But if you want to go sit, you can. You know, if your legs are tired—”
“They’re not tired.”
“But if they get tired—”
“They won’t.”
We hold each other’s gazes. All right, yes, it was a dumb thing to insinuate. I know, intimately, how strong Khaos’s legs are. However, last night, or I guess technically this morning, his legs took a lot of kicks. His opponent’s moniker was literally a nod to the kick-master himself, Chuck Norris. At least I think it was. That would be a huge coincidence if his parents named him Buck Norris.
“You’re not bored?”
“Are you kidding? This is my new favorite hobby.”
“Watching football?”
“Watching you, in your element. You’ve never looked more beautiful.”
A smile begins to form. “It’s the makeup and the hair.”
