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Peyton
After checkingin at the hotel, Lily’s dad ushered all of us down to the adjoining restaurant and let us order a late-night feast. Everyone was high on the win, excited about next weekend’s semi-final in Harrisburg. But my mind was still back at the stadium.
Bryan caught my eye across the table and mouthed, “You good?”
I gave him a small nod, pretending to be drawn into Ashleigh and Poppy’s conversation.
I hadn’t expected Sean Farrow to be here. He hated football the way bats hated sunlight.
We’d hooked up a few times at the end of the summer, but I’d cooled things off when he’d tried to push for more.
I didn’t want more. I wanted fun. A distraction. Intimacy without strings. Besides, if I was ever going to go steady—and I wasn’t—it wouldn’t be with a guy like Sean. He liked the thrill of the chase, that’s all. As soon as I’d become too hard to get, he’d moved on with another girl in our class, Layla Hannigan.
I’d learned a long time ago that the word ‘no’ was like a challenge to most guys.
A shudder went through me, and Lily laid her hand on my arm. “Where did you go just now?” she asked.
“Nowhere.” I grabbed my soda and drained the glass dry. “Do you think we can go soon?”
“Yeah, I heard the adults say they wanted a quiet drink once we all go to our rooms.” She leaned in closer. “You’re okay with rooming with Leigh and the girls, right?”
“Yeah, of course.” The plan was me and Ashleigh would return to our room and then sneak into Poppy and Sofia’s room, so Lily could have some alone time with Kaiden.
I never imagined I’d witness her do something so daring, so of course I didn’t mind. I just hoped the girls didn’t want to make a big thing about our night away.
“Good, okay.” She gave me a shy smile.
“Something you want to tell me, Lil?” I teased.
“I… uh, I brought something with me.”
My brows knitted. “Like a dildo?”
“What?” She stuttered. “No, I didn’t bring a… one of those.”
I smothered the laughter crawling up my throat. “Sorry, I thought you meant—”
“Lingerie. I brought some sexy lingerie,” she whispered, color blooming along her cheeks.
“How very scandalous.”
“Do you think… I mean… he’ll like it, right?” Her eyes slid to where Kaiden sat flanked by his teammates.
“Babe, you could wear a burlap sack and Kaiden would still think you’re the most beautiful girl in the room. You have nothing to worry about.”
Relief washed over her, and she let out a thin breath. “Okay, I didn’t know if it was the right time. I mean, Mom and Dad will be right down the hall, but it isn’t like we get any time alone at home and—”
“Lily?”
“Yeah?”
“Breathe, babe. You have to breathe.” I smiled.
Her eyes fluttered closed and then open. “I’m being ridiculous.”
“You’re just nervous.” I squeezed her hand. “But you have nothing to worry about. Kaiden loves you.”
So much that sometimes it made my chest ache to watch.
