I let out a chuckle, knowing she’s going to expect shirts made now.
Another sign that I’ll have to dust off my Cricut.
“Oh, who’s your brother?” the woman asks me.
“Connor Mendez,” I tell her. “Who do you know on the team?”
“My brother is Adam Hale, he’s a rookie this year. My name is Kristen.”
“Cool, he did well today!” I give her a friendly smile, catching Connor’s eye as he exits the team locker room.
He pulls me into a tight hug as soon as he reaches me. “We won, Auds!”
“Obviously, I was here!” I tease, flicking the brim of the ball cap on his head. Growing up if I attended one of his games and they won, I’d tell him it was because I was his good luck charm. But, if they ever lost a game I attended I’d come up with weird reasons why they lost: the car alarm that went off, the concession stand man—Mr. Tubbs—fell down the stairs, I wore the wrong shoes … It became a running joke in our family.
And the sentiment has stuck with us all these years later.
“Oh, it’sBenson!” Selena’s eyes dart towards the locker room door. She smirks at me and her voice sing-songs, as if they’re lifelong best friends. “You sure put on a real show today! Were you trying to impress me?”
Noah’s laughter sends goosebumps down my spine. “Of course. I’ve heard way too much about you over the last few years from Connor, including how much youlovebaseball,” he jokes, making Selena and Fiona both laughalong with him. “It’s nice to officially meet you both. I heard you stood me up for dinner a while ago.”
“Yeah, I heard it was quite the evening. Ahip, tight-spaced establishment.” Selena smirks at me again.
Stoppit, Selena!
As tingles radiate in my body at the memory of his hand on my hip, I let myself sneak a peek at him. His blond hair is slightly damp from his shower and he’s changed into jeans and a blue button-up T-shirt that makes his eyes pop all the more. It should be a crime, being so handsome.
Selena and Fiona both give him a friendly hug, making small talk while I just stand there with lead in my shoes.
His eyes find mine and it’s like my heart drops down to my ankles when he gives me a boyish grin. We stare at each other, unblinking, and for half a second I forget there are other people around.
When he steps towards me, Kristen cuts him off. “Noah Benson! Oh my gosh, I’m a huge fan …” She all but jumps up and down in front of him. “Sorry … Hi, I’m Kristen. My brother is Adam Hale. I’m not some crazy fan … okay, maybe I am. Shutting up now.” She giggles and my jaw clenches.
Noah gives her a gentle smile, replying with, “It’s nice to meet you, but if you could excuse me …” Then he steps towards me.
I don’t know what his plan is, but nothing can prepare me for the hug that he engulfs me in. It feels like it’scommunicating a million things—I’m sorry I never told you I loved you, I’m sorry Paul sucks, thanks for coming.
I press myself into him as tightly as humanly possible and when he rests his head on top of mine, a contented sigh escapes my lips. I’m so overcome with emotions.
It feels like I’ve found my way home.
“I missed you so much, Auddie,” he whispers. “Are you doing okay?”
My brain almost forgets that only a month ago, I was with Paul—a man who never hugged me like this.Never made my heart flutter like this.
“I’m good,” I whisper, nodding against his chest, savoring how warm he feels and how loud his heartbeat sounds. “So good,No.”
His one hand rubs my back, sending goosebumps through my body. “I’m glad. You deserve to be happy.”
I swear I feel his lips graze my forehead but before I can process if it’s true, Connor clears his throat behind me.
Oh, right. There are other people around. We’re in public.
I let out a small laugh as Noah’s own body shakes with silent laughter. “Shut up and let me hug your sister, dammit.”
When I pull away from him, his smile is contagious.
And a thought slaps me in the face.
