Page 35 of Golden Goal

Hunter mutters under his breath about not being the captain.

More teammates and staff arrive, and there’s a flurry of activity as we greet each other as if we didn’t all see each other yesterday.

“How are you doing, honey?” Judy, Madison’s aunt, asks me when I finally escape the kitchen and step out onto the porch. She’s sitting at a table with her husband, Curtis, and Coach.

“Hi, Aunt Judy.” I go over to where she’s now standing, her arms out, and let her hug me.

I close my eyes, sinking into her touch. I didn’t realize how much I needed a hug. Especially from a motherly figure. I miss my mom.

“It’s going to be okay, my boy,” she whispers, patting me on the back.

I nod, stepping away from her and straightening to my full height. I shake Curtis’s hand and wave hello to Coach, who is now engrossed in a conversation with Brody. I chat with Curtis and Aunt Judy for a few minutes before Wes comes outside.

“Hey,” Wes says. “Anyone need a drink? Cap sent me to check.”

“I could use one, but I’ll come in and get it,” I tell him.

He holds the door open for me, stepping back so I can walk inside. We pass through the living room, and my gaze wanders over to where Rebecca is sitting with Ansley and Sutton on the couch, deep in conversation.

“Doc looks really pretty,” Wes says as we walk out of the kitchen a few minutes later, drinks in hand. “I think today might be the day I finally ask her out.”

“No,” I growl, the word coming out before I can stop it.

He pauses, turning to me. “Oh? Did she tell you she wasn’t interested?” I cross my arms. “Or do you want to ask her out?”

Nope. Not going to respond to him because I know that’s what he wants, so I stay silent. It was bad enough I reacted the way I did. I don’t know why I did. I’m not interested in her that way. Even though I think she’s gorgeous, smells nice, and I enjoy talking to her.

I. Am. Not. Interested.

He breaks into a shit-eating grin, punching me lightly on the arm. “I think you should go for it.”

I glare at him.

He chuckles.

The little shit knew exactly what he was doing. We stare at each other in a silent war until Hadley makes her way over to us.

“There you are, Holty. Hi, Weston Adam.” Hadley pats me on the arm, and I break eye contact with Wes to look at my sister.

“Not my middle name, Hadley Jane. But if you’ll excuse me, nature’s calling.” Wes gestures down the hallway toward the bathroom before sauntering off.

She shakes her head, rolling her eyes at him, and I raise my eyebrows, something I’ve found myself doing a lot today.

“Whatever. Can I get your help in the kitchen, Holt?”

“Yeah,” I say, following her back through the house.

Chapter fifteen

Rebecca

“Earth to Rebecca.” Sutton waves her hands in front of my face.

I force myself to stop staring at where Holt disappeared into the hallway with Wes.

“Sorry.” I give her a small smile.

“Where’d you go?” Sutton asks.