“Now that’s just too easy,” I say with a grin.
She fights a smile. “Seriously? You’re going to flirt with me again?”
“Of course I am. And to get back to your comment—you really don’t like anythingwith balls? Or do you mean anyone?”
Her cheeks flush. “Anygamesthat involve a ball. The rules make no fucking sense.”
I chuckle. “Which rule exactly?”
She waves her hand in the air. “You name it. The one you told me about where you can’t step out of bounds and then back in and catch the ball.”
I smile. “That’s already been overlooked tonight twice.”
“But according to you, it’s a legitimate rule.”
“It is. And in an actual football game, it makes more sense.” I reach out and tug her ponytail. “Sparky.”
Our debate is interrupted by the snap of the ball.
For the rest of the half, we don’t have another chance to talk.
At halftime, some of the guys go back to their motor coaches for snacks and to check in.
I watch as Sky says something to her brothers, and then they head in the direction of the motor homes and trailers while she goes over to the bench and sits down by herself. She brings her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them. A notebook sits by her side, and she glances down at it and then picks it up and starts scribbling. Something about her sitting there hits me square in the chest. She just looks so…lonely.
I’m well aware that she’s pushed off every attempt of mine to get to know her, but I don’t give up easily. Grabbing my backpack from the sideline, I stride over to her.
When she looks up, I point to the empty spot next to her on the bench. “Mind if I join you?” I hold up my backpack. “I’ve got two unopened bottles of water.”
She surprises the hell out of me when she nods. “Sure.”
I pull out the two water bottles and hand her one as she closes her notebook and places it on her lap.
“Thank you.”
I watch her twist open the cap, and then I stare, transfixed, at the slender column of her throat as she drinks half the bottle of water.
When she finally puts it down, she shoots me a quick smile. “I was so thirsty.”
Her expression is purely appreciative; for a split second, she’s lost that wariness she seems like she was born with.
“So you were pretty feisty on the field,” I say as I open my own bottled water. “Are you always that brash?”
She slides further away from me on the bench. “I’m not brash,” she says, dropping her gaze. “Believe me.”
“Hey.” I touch her arm. “I didn’t mean any offense.”
She shakes her head as if at herself and looks up at me again. Her eyes have gone blank. “I know you didn’t. Don’t worry about it.”
We lapse into an awkward silence, and then we both concentrate on drinking our waters. I keep sneaking peeks at her, wondering what’s going on inside her head.
Chapter Twelve
Skylar
I’m nervous. I think that’s what those butterflies dancing in my stomach must mean. But, it’s a good nervous. Not like when I’d be home alone with my father.
The way I feel sitting next to Colton Wild makes me feel alive. He’s ridiculously flirtatious and completely overwhelming. He’s larger than life with his infectious personality and fun-loving nature. And he’s so…masculine.
