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Carter pursed his lips as he stared at me, his deep brown eyes stabbing into my soul. I couldn’t help but shift again under the weight of his gaze, and the metal bench squealed in protest.

“Alright, then.” He focused on the game.

I took a deep inhale and turned forward. While I was distracted, we’d closed the gap. The crowd was cheering, and the energy picked up, vibrating through the stands. I stood when Carter did, though he had to stand on the bench to see around the troll in front of us.

Time was ticking down, and we were close, so close to winning. I clapped and cheered along with everyone else. My heart was hammering, and sweat dampened my palms as I watched the ball move in almost slow motion. Our players passed it back and forth before one player shot it at the other team’s goal. It curved around the skinny goblin and crashed into the net.

Silence lasted only a second before our stand erupted in triumphant screams. We’d won. Chris got another chance to play.

“Okay,” I shouted over the crowd, “this is fun.” I might not really understand, but it was still enjoyable to watch and support my school team.

Carter beamed. “Yeah, it is.” He clapped my arm. “Let’s go find your boyfriend.”

My cheeks warmed at the word, but I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. I tugged on my shirt again, nervous about Chris seeing it. Also, I was sweating. It was hot. I didn’t really want to see Chris when I was drenched, but I didn’t want him to think I hadn’t come.

The three of us wound our way out of the stands and headed toward the locker rooms. Apparently, Carter and Sam always met Chris afterward to celebrate or commiserate with the team. Before we got there, something crashed into me, something very familiar.

“You came,” Chris cried as he squeezed me.

The musky scent of his sweat tickled my nose, and the brush of his sun-warmed skin sent my pulse skittering. I nodded, trying not to duck my head. “I did.”

“And he’s wearing your number,” Sam said, grinning, her eyes twinkling in mischief.

Chris instantly turned me around, and I didn’t resist. His hands trailed over my sweaty back. An odd tone filled his voice when he said, “You are.”

“I am.”

He gripped the back of my shirt in tight fists before forcing me back around. Chris didn’t even hesitate as he reached for my cheeks, yanking my face down and claiming my lips. I started; I hadn’t been expecting that. Not at all.

I returned the kiss before he could misunderstand and pull away. My arms slipped around his waist and drew him against me, needing him as close as possible. After a moment, Chris backed away, but I chased him, not ready for this to be over, and deepened the kiss.

When the tip of my tongue brushed his lips, he moaned, opening for me. I claimed his mouth with strong thrusts. Chris panted and moaned against me. He returned every brush, lick, twist, and nip while adding some of his own. Everything inside of me screamed to keep him as close as possible and to never end this kiss. I lifted Chris so I didn’t have to bend over, and he didn’t protest, hooking his arms around my neck, fisting my hair, and wrapping his legs around me.

“Oh, eww,” Samantha shouted. “My eyes are burning. Seriously, get a fucking room. No one wants to see this.”

Chris pulled away, his face red and his eyes clouded. He turned toward his sister and said, “If you don’t like it, don’t look.”

I laughed, making Chris smile at me. He ran a finger over my face, then poked my cheek. His voice a whisper, he pressed his lips to my ear and said, “I like when you smile. It makes me almost feral.”

Swallowing the sudden arousal flooding me, I replied, “Same.”

“Kim,” Coach Braxton shouted. “Dismount your boyfriend and move your ass.”

Chris unhooked his legs with a sigh, and I let him slide down my body. He gave me one last squeeze, then raced off.

Carter and Sam both smirked at me, and I ducked my head. Carter linked my arm with his, leading us toward the locker room. “I’m glad you’re not using Chris.”

Sam chuckled. “At least not to get Aaron, but Jaxon definitely wants to use him for something. Something nasty.”

The siblings high-fived, laughing, and I rolled my eyes, but heat seeped into my cheeks. Yeah, they knew about my crush, and I had to hope they wouldn’t tell Chris. He wasn’t ready. But I hoped that kiss meant he was closer to wanting me in return.

Chapter Thirteen

Christopher

My foot tapped all the way through Coach talking, and none of his words penetrated my skull. As soon as he was done, I bolted off the bench and into the showers to take the quickest one of my life. I was drying off when Aaron, only wearing a towel, asked, “You coming tonight?”

We always celebrated wins or bemoaned losses, usually by drinking. Well, they drank, and I watched their antics. “Um,” I stalled. The party wasn’t mandatory, but it certainly was frowned upon to miss. But… “Maybe,” I finally settled on.