“I’m going to get something to drink,” I tell Mark.
“I’ll come with you.”
I thought I was going to have a few moments to myself, but at least we’re moving and not standing there in awkward silence anymore.
There’s a cooler on the back deck filled with beer and soda. Mark flips open the lid and grabs a beer. He offers it to me, and I take it with a muttered, “Thanks.”
“So,” he starts, but another voice cuts in.
Louder, more confident.
“Hey.”
I know that voice. My heart flutters as I swivel around quickly and take him in. Tall, broad, intimidating. He’s just like I remember him, but the mayhem he’s causing on my nervous system is new.
“Nice game today,” Mark says to him. He’s not nearly as rattled by Vaughn’s sudden appearance, but he speaks to him with an air of respect.
“Thanks.” Vaughn barely spares him a glance. I guess the respect isn’t mutual. “Lacey, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Yes,” I say a little too enthusiastically. Then remind myself to play it cool. “Sure.”
“Right. I’ll just catch you later,” Mark says as hereaches into the cooler and gets a beer for himself, then backs away.
My heart is racing as I wait for Vaughn to speak again. It isn’t until Mark is a good ten feet away that he does.
“I have a surprise for you.”
His words are the most surprising thing of all.
“For me?” I ask, then actually look behind me like he could be talking to someone else. Except there is no one else around.
One side of his mouth pulls up into a smirk.
“It isn’t a protein bar, is it?” My nerves are pushed away by a giddy excitement. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt like this with a guy. This mix of anxiousness and anticipation. I can feel my emotions pinging around under my skin and it’s as exhilarating as it is unsettling.
“I’m never going to live that down, am I?” The other corner of his mouth lifts and his full smile makes my stomach flip.
“Not likely.”
“This surprise is better. I promise.” He holds out a hand to me.
I stare at it for a moment before I realize his intention and slide my fingers into his rough palm. Another thrill races through me as his much bigger hand closes over mine. Vaughn starts toward the back of the yard, pulling me along with him. I have to take quick steps to keep pace with his longer legs.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
The party carries on around us like nothing strange is happening, and I do my best not to think too hard about how this might look. Me and Vaughn Collins holding hands would be hot gossip if people got the wrong idea.
He stops next to a four-wheeler at the back of the yard. There are always a few around. Doyle’s family keeps a couple here, and guys who live close drive theirs over so they can cut through the fields to get home.
Vaughn climbs on and then tips his head to the spot behind him. “Hop on.”
He puts on a helmet and then holds one out to me.
“I’m going to have helmet hair.”
“Gotta protect that big brain of yours.” He winks.
