Bo nods. “I do, but we gotta stay out of it unless she asks for our help. He lays a hand on her though? Game over for him.”
Aston leans forward, phone in his hand. “Yeah, brother, just let it ride out.”
As we watch the game, my jealousy and aggravation with this guy fester. He’s so condescending to her, and he’s the kind of guy who’s always right. Everything she says, he counters. He leaves her out of conversations with his friends too.
I know for certain that if her brother saw any of this, regardless of him wanting to let her figure this out on her own, he would be pissed. Maybe as much as I am. He’s crazy protectiveof her, and I know Beck wouldn’t stand letting someone treat his sister like this.
We’re almost to the end of the first half, and if Brooke wasn’t still sitting here, I would be gone. Now, I appreciate any fellow athlete, but this shit is boring. Or maybe my attention is too occupied elsewhere for me to pay attention to the game.
At least the crowd is into it. The camera guy has zoomed in on me, Bo, and Aston a few times, and we even stood up once when the crowd was cheering for us. I mean, we are in the playoffs, so it’s a pretty big deal at the university.
They’re doing one of those stupid kiss cameras now though. Every couple they’ve targeted in the crowd kisses and laughs, and then they move on. But now they’re on Brooke and Eli.
She hasn’t noticed it yet, but he has, and he’s shaking his head and waving off the camera. When she notices his movement, she glances around, then finally up at the Jumbotron.
Her face goes scarlet, and she shrinks in her seat a little.
The crowd starts to chant, “Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her,” but Eli looks like he’s about to bolt.
What the fuck is wrong with this guy? How does he not realize what he has next to him?
I can’t stand sitting here, watching this shitstorm. “Fuck it.”
Leaning down, I reach my hand around and cup her jaw, turning her head toward me. Before she can react, I take her lips with mine. It’s gentle but firm and full of intent. There’s no doubt she knows I want this.
Then I pull back, and I cup the other side of her face so she can see the sincerity in my eyes. “When you’re done with this guy—and you will be soon—I’ll be happy to take the title.” I kiss her softly again.
She pulls her head away first this time. “What? What title? Silas, oh my God,” she says, shaking her head.
“Yours.” Then I sit back in my seat, and the crowd goes wild, cheering.
Aston is standing and facing me, clapping.
Bo has a smile on his face, phone in hand, recording me or taking pictures of me. “That was awesome, man. I got it all on here for you. Gotta send it to Chelsea and the group chat.”
I chuckle, but I look back at Brooke, and she’s got one hand on Eli’s arm, trying to get him to look at her. When he pulls his arm away forcefully, she leans back in her seat and crosses her arms over her chest.
Seeing her upset bothers me, and I’m sure she isn’t happy with me right now, but I just couldn’t help it. He was leaving her hanging, and no other guy in this place would have passed up on kissing Brooke Linson.
How does he not see how beautiful she is? Besides that, she’s one of the smartest and kindest people I know. I’ll never understand how he trapped her into a relationship. But I guess if he’s the first guy she’s ever really dated, maybe her expectations were low. I’m gonna change all that.
As I watch them, I can’t help but smile because I love that I pissed him off, but more importantly, that she didn’t push me away.
CHAPTER
FOUR
BROOKE
What the hell just happened?An already-awkward night just became ten times worse. I cannot believe Silas did that.
I mean, if I’m being honest, everything else tuned out when his lips touched mine. It only lasted a few short minutes, but I felt the heat of that kiss all the way down to my belly.
And then what he said to me? I’m in trouble.
How can I sit here next to Eli after that? He is fuming, and I’m sure he’s embarrassed by the entire thing. He likes being the center of attention when it’s under his control.
This wasn’t. And I’m surprised he’s still sitting next to me, but he probably doesn’t want to bring any more attention to us at this point.
