‘Yeah, yeah.’I shake my head, laughing, but the truth is, Iamgrateful.He made that space like it was nothing – taking a hit that would have sent someone else off the field.
Parker is tall.Taller than even Mason and I.He’s got to be at least six foot four.Lean, packed with muscle.Quick and lethal during a game.
‘There’s a band playing in a few weeks that we want to see.We are going to get tickets tomorrow, if you wanna come.A friend is getting us cheap tickets because her family works at the venue.’
Pulling out a towel, he slings it over his shoulder.‘Who’s “us”?’
‘Mase,’ I say, throwing my thumb back towards Mason, although he’s not sitting on the bench anymore, since most of the team have hit the showers.‘And the crew.’
‘The crew?’
‘Yeah, you know, Anya, Nora,’ I say and pause briefly, eyeing him.‘Cami.’
He glances at me after I say her name.‘And where do I fit in with “the crew”?’
‘I don’t see you out much, just thought it might be a bit of fun for you.’As soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret them, hoping he doesn’t think I’m insulting him.His jaw tenses, but he doesn’t seem annoyed.
‘How cheap are we talking?’he eventually asks, slamming the locker door shut and facing me.
‘As in, I think they’re free.Drinks at mine before.We have plenty there.’
‘Hmm,’ he says, shrugging.‘All right.Text me the deets.’
He strolls past me and I blink after him, a little shocked he agreed, since whenever I’ve asked him to come out with the team after games or practice, he’s always declined and been in a rush to leave.I weirdly feel like I’ve achieved something.
The night air is cool on my still-flushed skin.My body’s aching, and my head’s still buzzing from the win.I love this feeling, this post-game high.It’s a drug like no other.I scan the crowds, only looking for one person.Nora is past the barrier, talking with Anya and Cami, who is still dressed in her cheerleader uniform.
Nora is dressed in one of my oversized jackets, the sleeves far too long for her.Her cheeks are flushed, and her hair is windswept from the breeze that has picked up.
I push through the last bit of crowd.As I get close, the other girls notice me first.
‘Hey hotshot,’ Cami greets me, and Anya smiles in hello.‘Save any moves for the after-party or did you leave it all on the field?’
I shoot her a grin.‘Depends.Should I be worried you might move in for a tackle?’
‘Keep one eye open, I’m stronger than I look,’ she teases, flexing.She has long, slender arms but she’s fit as hell from dancing and cheer.I don’t doubt for a second that she’s strong.‘Hard to focus on the game when everyone is screaming “Zayden” like you’re the man of the hour.’She rolls her eyes, but I know she is only playing.
‘Yeah, but none scream my name like she does.’I smirk, wriggling my eyebrows at Nora.
Anya and Cami groan in unison, dramatic and disgusted.Anya claps over her ears as if she can erase what I just said, and Cami wrinkles her nose.‘Foul.Ten-minute sin-bin for that one.’
Nora’s laughing, half-mortified and half-loving it, I think.I tilt her chin up and kiss her, slow and sure, right there in front of all of them.Nothing over-the-top.Just enough to say:She’s mine.
When I pull back, she tilts her head back, her smile wide and warm, and I swear having her is the real win.I wrap my arms around her and pull her in close.She laughs into my neck, muffled.
‘Hey,’ I say against her hair.‘I missed you the whole bloody game.Couldn’t wait to come see you.’
She pulls back, lips curled into a half-smile.‘You were incredible.’
‘I play better knowing you’re watching.I want to make you proud.’
‘I’m always proud, Biker Boy.’
I kiss Nora again, not caring that people are still watching.Her hands grip my t-shirt, keeping me close.
‘You two are so sugary sweet, you make me sick,’ Cami interjects, but she has a warm smile on her face as she watches.‘We get it.You’re in love.Rub it in, why don’t you.’
‘Sorry,’ I say, completely unapologetically.
