I stand up first, and the rest follow me as we heave him up and throw him up and down.
“Put me down, you hotheads,” he says, laughing.
After I shower, I find Lilly waiting outside the locker room.
“Hi, handsome.” A flirty look stretches on her face.
She wants to play. I am all for it.
“Hi, beautiful.”
She tilts her head, batting her lashes at me subtly. “Saw you play…”
I cock my head, dragging my bottom lip through my teeth just like I want to peel off her clothes—slow. “Was I any good?”
“Maybe.”
A smile teases my lips. “Maybe? Hmm, and here I played in the hopes of catching the attention of a gorgeous woman like you.”
“What if you did?” she asks, licking her lips.
It’s so hard to stay in character when I just want to kiss her already. “I’m the type of man who knows what he wants.”
“And what do you want?” she breathes out.
“You and me. Forever.”
The flirty expression erases from her face. “You had to say that, and now I’m out of character.” She tries for a chastising tone but fails.
I chuckle, cutting the few inches between us, not giving a fuck if someone sees us. To be honest, at this point, I don’t even care.
“We can continue to play when we’re back home. I’m playing for keeps, baby. But let me tell you what I won’t play with. Your heart, our future.”
She lifts on her toes, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Have you any idea how perfect you are and how much I love you?”
The grin threatens to split my face. “I think I do because you’re with me.”
I dip my head, and she says before our lips touch, “What if someone sees us?”
“Let them look.”
I kiss her, losing myself in her sweet taste, fired up by her little pleasure sounds.
I peck her on the lips one more time, unable to restrain myself.
Opening the passenger door for her, we climb into the car, driving straight to the restaurant. It takes longer with fans on the streets, drinking and partying.
I park in front of the cozy, familiar place.
My sister and Lilly found this one, and it’s kind of our place whenever they’re in town.
My mom hugs me. “Congratulations. I’m so proud of you,” she says in a shaky voice.
From the corner of my eye, I see my woman and my sister embracing.
My dad steps in next for a celebratory hug, and after I do the rounds, we take a seat at the six-person table.
Levi orders a bottle of champagne. We toast, and all eyes are on me.
