He tilted his head before tugging my hand into his.
“Hey, I understand. I will behave at the stadium. I’d never ruin this for you.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, and he pulled us toward the quad. “Do you have classes on Fridays?”
“One, but it’s kinda optional. Figured I’d walk you to class then check in on some of the younger guys. Two of them are already struggling week three. I have no idea how they even got here with their lack of self-sufficient skills. I also spy on their schedules to track them down.”
“Anyone else do that, or just you?”
“Me. Everyone else is too busy.”
“So are you.” Pride filled my chest. “You were always so adamant about helping the younger people on the team. I love that you’re still doing it and never wanting the glory for it.”
“I have the extra time to set up schedules and pair up some of the guys based on their skills. Did you know our boy Oliver is a math wizard? All these young pups coming in taking a legit math class for the first time, so they need him.”
“You should be super proud of this.”
He shrugged. “It’s a role someone needs to fill on the team, and I just do.”
I gripped his forearm with my free hand and squeezed it. “Well, I see you.”
“What do you mean?” His voice came out hopeful, curious. His eyes lit up, and a hint of a smile played on his lips.
“You told me freshmen year that Coach Barnes never saw you, just the punk you pretended to be. You were the first one there and the last one to leave. You were the DD for all the older guys, making sure they were safe. He didn’t see the realyou.I do.”
His gaze dropped to my mouth, and his nostrils flared. “No one has the power you do over me, Ivy. I hope you know that.”
His words caused that swoopy, gravity-defying feeling that overtook my stomach and chest.Fluttering.My heart fluttered. “So, you plan the team stuff tonight?”
“Nah, I let Dean do the pregame. Him and Jameson will run the pregame rituals. That’s why I wanted to see you. I won’t be able to do this again until Sunday.”
“What, hold my hand?”
“No, this.” He backed me up toward the side of a building and kissed me. He held my ass with one hand, his other almost covering the whole back of my head. He groaned and nipped my bottom lip, sliding his tongue in and kissing me nice and slow. I felt alive, heated, and dizzy. His kiss was addicting and the right amount of pressure.
I whimpered and rested my hands on his abs. His torso was so toned, and I dug my nails into him, heat shooting between my thighs. “Wow,” I said, breathless as he pulled back.
He grinned, and his eyes were pure lust. “And you were worried about our chemistry.”
“Shut up.” I poked his side, and he caught my finger, twirling it with his as he wrapped me in a bear hug. “Uh, what’s this?”
“I’m obsessed with having you in my life.” He rested his chin on my head. “I want to go to class with you. That’s where I’m at right now.”
“No.” I snorted into his chest and squeezed him back. “There’s only eight of us, and it would definitely blow my internship.”
“Will you stay with me Sunday night? We can do whatever you want. I just want eight hours with you. Or ten. Or a whole day like we used to.”
“If you don’t mind going to the shelter with me, yeah, we can hang out.”
“Of fucking course.” He sighed and slowly released me, his hand smoothing over my ponytail. “I’ll see you on the bus tomorrow then.”
“Yeah, no flirting.”
He held up his hands. “Yes, ma’am.”
I left him there, outside the Foller building, with a huge smile on my face. Esme’s words took root, and this confirmed it. Callum had walked with me in high school. He’d planned all-day hangouts on weekends. He’d snuck into my room a few times if one of us had a bad day.
He’d hugged me long and hard and squeezed me like that.
