“Carry me.”
“Really? Not even a please?”
If Jack can kiss me on the head right before I fall asleep after initiating cuddling with me, then maybe I’m allowed to bend the rules too. I drop my mouth until it’s right next to his ear. “DoI need to ask, pretty boy?” I whisper, knowing exactly what I’m doing.
His grip on me tightens, and I take it a step further by planting my own kiss on his cheek. Jack grumbles but wordlessly carries me down the stairs.
Dylan cracks a smile when he sees me. “What’s up, Al?”
“Nothing much. Just wondering if you’re as afraid of telling Coop you’re inviting people over as Nate and Jack are?” I say, and Jack sighs.
“I told you I’m not afraid of him.”
Coop walks down the stairs a few moments later, with a beaming Ellie behind him. “I’m not on babysitter duty tonight,” he says, scowling. “Who’d you invite?”
“I sent word out to a few guys on the team. Guess we’ll find out when they get here, but it’s BYOB,” Dylan answers.
“Al, you sure you want to stay? I can take you home if you don’t want to,” Jack offers, and I rest my chin on Jack’s shoulder, content right where I am.
“Staying. Giddy up, cowboy.”
His chuckle causes my smile to grow.
The guys from the team start showing up a few minutes later, but then a second group I don’t recognize follows them in. Jack’s grip tightens as we walk towards the tallest in the bunch.
“Schultz!”
“Seth, been a while,” Jack greets, his tone warm.
His friend peers at me curiously before focusing on Jack again. “You know how it gets during season,” he says, and I think I recognize him, but from where?
“I do. Surprised you’re out. I thought your coach put you guys on a party ban this season?”
Jack’s friend shrugs, cracking a smile. “What he doesn’t know won’t kill him. Besides, it’s our bye week, and this isn’t aparty. Just a lil get together. Coach isn’t an idiot, but as long as none of us get in deep shit then he’ll let it slide this week.”
“Whatever, man, it’s your funeral.”
I tap Jack’s shoulder just as he laughs again. “I’m gonna grab a beer from the fridge. You can let me down.”
Jack hesitates, before letting me slide down his back. “I’ll come with you,” he says, and I cross my arms over my chest, swimming in his sweatshirt.
“The kitchen is like ten feet away? You can watch from here.”
“I know you,” he says, and I raise my eyebrows, giving him a once-over.
“From where?” I ask, doubt creeping in.
He smiles, and even though he’s not my type, he’s cute. “You’re the cowgirl from Halloween.”
“Al,” I say, offering my hand to him.
“Nice to meet youofficially, Al. I’m Seth Kane,” he says, winking at me, and it shouldn’t surprise me that Jack’s friends with the quarterback of Wilder’s football team. “Are you Schultz’s girl?” Seth asks, and Jack chuckles.
“No, but she’s off-limits,” Jack continues, a firmness to his voice I haven’t heard before. “I’m going with you, Al.”
“I can get it myself. I don’t need an escort. I think Coop’s in the kitchen anyway. I’ll be fine,” I say, causing Seth’s smile to grow.
“You’ve got some sass, I see why he likes you.”
