Thankfully I don’t have to finish that sentence because the front door opens, and everyone’s attention moves to it. Or rather the person stepping inside.
“Captain!” Eli and Eddie greet Vaughn enthusiastically. The rest of the team seems just as happy that he’s here. And by the immediate racing of my heart, I think it’s safe to say I’m happy too. My body warms, and I’m smiling so big that if anyone’s paying attention, they’d know I have the biggest crush on this guy.
His blond hair is wet on the ends, making it look slightly darker. Despite the cold temperature outside, he only has on a T-shirt with his black joggers.
He tips his head at them, scanning the room. When his gaze lands on me, my stomach turns back into a tornado of butterflies. One side of his mouth hitches up at the corner and there goes my pulse, speeding right along.
The rest of the room goes back to the game, but I can’t look away. Was he always this hot? His cheeks are red from the cold and his blue eyes are brighter than I can ever remember.
Shit.I think I might really like him. I definitely want to run and jump into his arms and kiss the crap out of him.
Instead, I stay seated, my pulse hammering in my ears. Vaughn strides toward me, his gaze steady, and I force myself to take slow, deliberate breaths. Holy crap. I can’t believe this is happening.
“Surprised to see you here.” Rowan’s grin is full of playful tease as he makes room for Vaughn. “I didn’t think you were coming.”
“You either,” Vaughn says, putting himself between me and Rowan.
“Eh, I didn’t really feel like going to Amanda’s without my wingman,” Rowan says.
Vaughn grunts and then silence falls between the three of us. I rake my palms down over my thighs.
“All right, well, I’m going…somewhere.” Rowan gets up, leaving us alone on the couch.
Vaughn shifts over a little, giving me more room. I’m usually good at small talk, but I can’t think of a single thing to say. Maybe I could just ask him to meet me outside so I could stop thinking all together and kiss him until my brain turns to mush.
“Hey.” Vaughn’s stare drifts to my mouth.
“Hi.”
“How are you?”
My heart feels like it’s trying to beat right out of my chest. “Good. You?”
“Better now.”
We just stare at each other, smiling, while everyone around us is talking and laughing. My face is so warm that I know I must be blushing. There are so many things to say, but words feel inadequate right now. I’m not sure I could eloquently string a single sentence together anyway.
Vaughn bumps his knee against mine, and I glance down at that simple connection. Yeah, somehow that feels right.
Eventually, he’s pulled into conversation with his teammates, and I follow along, offering smiles and occasional replies I hope make sense. I don’t think I’ve ever been so distracted by someone, but Vaughn has all my attention. His smile, his scent, the way his leg continues to press against mine, his deep voice. The memory of his hands in my hair. I don’t know why, but that in particular really does something for me.
I’m not sure how much time passes before people start talking about heading out. The Whitlock twins are the first to go, saying they need to get home for dinner.
“My mom ordered pizza,” Austin says. “You’re more than welcome to stay.”
I love that about the Keller household. It’s the most welcoming home I know.
“We can’t,” Eddie says. “My mom’s sisters are in town. If we don’t show up, they’re likely to tear the town apart to find us.”
“And embarrass us,” Eli adds.
“That I would like to see.” Austin stands and gives each of them a fist bump. “See you guys tomorrow.”
“I should get going too,” Hunter says.
It snowballs from there, everyone making their excuses.
“You guys are staying, right?” Austin asks Rowan and Vaughn.
