I think I was smiling when Maddox came to congratulate me. "Teamwork," I said and with the feel-good rush, it didn't hurt to look at him.
He held my gaze, and it was like everyone else disappeared for a single moment. Just the two of us, with our frosty breaths, the cold biting at the end of my nose.
He stood within arm's reach, cheeks rosy, eyes bright and clear and focused—on me. Only me. His mouth curved into a shy smile.
Hands on my shoulders broke the spell. "I taught her that, you know," Kurt said and pulled me into a side hug that felt a bit like a headlock. "Wide receiver in the house!" He pulled me away to join the rest of the team setting up on defense.
Thunder crashed in the distance, and the mist turned into fine droplets of rain. Fans squealed as they made a run for shelter. Car horns and headlights brought the parking lot to life as small groups with umbrellas huddled in pockets along the sideline.
Then lightning streaked the sky.
Chapter Ten
ELLA
February 14
Charity Flag Football Game
Lightning sirens cleared the rest of the stands. A few diehards remained on the edge of the parking lot. Small groups of players formed on the sideline to collectively shiver and chat.
"He’s a bit odd, that one." Misha wrapped her arms around herself in her boyfriend’s jacket; she looked like a toddler playing dress-up. She jutted her chin out in an effort to point at Maddox. "Ricky likes him so there must be something more to him. Seems a little dull to me."
"He’s not dull. He just has—"an intensity in his eyes…God, when he’d looked at me like he wanted to devour me? "He, uh, he helped me out last year. When I needed a friend."
"I can tell you like him," Misha said. The mist changed. Fat drips of water hit my scalp and ran down theside of my face. "You’re coming to the dinner tonight, right?"
"Oh, no, I wasn’t going to. Thanks, though." My heart fell into my stomach. A weird swooping sensation caught them both as my insides began to burn.
"Mmm, these boys will be in tuxedos. If they can’t find a woman in a tux? There ain’t no hope."
Big, slow drops dripped faster and turned into rain. Thunder rumbled overhead. Squeals rose from the remaining spectators. Several players ran for the parking lot.
He could be with some other woman.I took a deep breath. My stomach pitched, sloshing acid around my aching heart.
"Hey." Kanami moved next to me and did some half jog, half dance thing as she puffed clouds of air. "Nice catch."
"Thanks."
"I’m pretty sure the girls on both sides are done," Kanami said. "Time’s up anyway. But, it’s a tie, if you can believe it."
I blinked. "Is it? I lost track." I glanced up at the sky. "The rain’s cold."
"Seager wants sudden death overtime." Kanami rolled her eyes.
I blinked raindrops out of my eyes. "Is that a thing?"
"He just wants to call it that," Misha said with a huff. "I can almost guarantee it.”
"There’s a hopeless one for Valentine’s Day."
"He has a whole fan club." Misha shook her head. "He grouses about it, but I’mpretty surehe secretly loves the attention."
"Can you still sign up for Mick’s table?" Kanami crossed her arms and shuddered.
I shook my head. "I’m not going to the dinner thing."
"Well, if you’re not," she said with a shrug, "would you mind if I ask him out?"
