“Josie?” There’s a note of levity in my name.
Before I descend the stairs, he’s already standing at the bottom. He looks handsome, though he always does. His dark brown hair is damp, making it look darker. The locks at thebottom are slightly dry and winding up in small waves. His golden tan skin is glowing, a little darker than it was almost two months ago, and I’ve no doubt he’ll only get tanner from here on out.
“What are you doing here?” I ask but hate how harsh I sound.
I didn’t mean to directly ask that; I just didn’t expect him to be here. They won their first series against Cal Poly, and I know all the guys were going to celebrate. At least that’s what Pen said in the group chat. She and Vi begged me to go, but I thought a little distance from Daniel would do me good. Plus, Bryson is going to be wherever they’re at, so it was a hard pass for me.
A boyish grin grows on his face as he takes me in, not offended by my blunt question. “Are you going to stand there, or are you going to come down here and congratulate me?”
I lean against the railing, crossing my arms over my chest. “Congratulations, Captain.” I smile a little at him from up here.
I’m serious about keeping my distance.
His eyes drop instantly to my lips, and I swear his whole face lights up. I’m not sure why. I look the least bit appealing, and I didn’t go to him like he wanted me to.
My heart takes flight as he climbs the steps before he’s standing in front of me. “I love working for things. So now that I’m here, can I get a real congratulations?”
It might’ve sounded a bit snarky, but I meant it. However, this time I tone it down and repeat myself. “Congratulations, Captain. Better?”
“No.” He shakes his head.
I drop my gaze, it’s quick but still I notice the way his hands twitch, lifting slightly before he settles them by his side.
A hug. He wants a hug.
I shouldn’t, but…
I slip my arms around him, pulling him in until he’s flush against my body. He doesn’t hesitate to wrap his strong arms around me. He inhales deeply, his body going pliant against me.
“Congratulations, Captain,” I try again, softer this time.
He nuzzles his face in the crook of neck, another deep inhale, and his arms tighten. I shouldn’t have allowed that, but sometimes my body reacts in ways I can’t control. It feels second nature, familiar, comforting. It feels good.
So much for distance.
“Did you watch me play?” he asks, voice hopeful and keen, like my answer will determine something for him. I just don’t know what.
“There was nothing else to watch, so yeah, I watched the game.”
He chuckles, his warm breath fanning my neck, making me shiver. “But did you watchme?”
“Do you mean, were my eyes solely on number six the entire two and a half hours? The player everyone calls Sparky? Did I happen to see the multiple double plays, the home run, and hear the commentators get hard-ons from watching him play?”
Daniel draws back. He smiles so bright, it’s blinding. He still holds me, and because he’s a few steps down, we’re at the same eye level. It shouldn’t be an issue, but this feels too intimate.
The look on his face tells me he’s thinking what I’m thinking, but he doesn’t move.
“That number six is something else, huh?”
“Yeah, I guess. A little cocky if you ask me.”
“But hot right?”
A laugh tickles my throat. “I guess…”
“You guess?” He looks appalled.
“I mean if you take into account the other guys on the team…he falls somewhere under…”
