Page 87 of Colliding with Ten

“Tell me when it’s over,” she muttered as she turned into my shoulder.

I huffed a laugh. “It’s a two-hour movie.”

“Then tell me in two hours.”

I tried three times to get her to change the movie, but she refused. Another scream erupted from the TV. She pressed closer, her bare knee touching my abs. My heart kicked so hard I felt it in my throat. At this point, I didn’t care how she got here, just that she was in my arms. Her body half-draped over mine, my fingers kept brushing soothing strokes along her bare leg. She peered up at me from behind the pillow.

“Sorry,” I said.

She shook her head and whispered, “No, it makes it better. Just . . .” She broke off, biting her lip, and swallowed. “. . . keep holding me.”

Hoping to steady the tremble in her legs, I settled my hand on her knee.

“You’re shaking,” I murmured. “I think we should change the movie. I really want to watch something else.”

She tilted her head back toward me. “Really?” Her voice was half fear and half hope.

I chuckled. “Yes.” All I cared about was holding her closer.

“What’s your favorite football movie?”

“The only right answer is Friday Night Lights.”

Her mouth dropped. “What about Remember the Titans?”

“A little melodramatic, don’t you think?”

Her mouth fell lower. “Hello. Denzel Washington.”

“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”

She gasped, mock-offended. “Don’t quote Friday Night Lights at me.”

The reflection of the horror scene on the television danced in her eyes. My hand tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, fingertips grazing her cheekbone. Eyes darted up to meet mine.

“That look right there. That’s why you had boys fighting over you in high school.”

Her back straightened at the shift. “Huh?”

I smirked. “I remembered our first conversation in the training room very well.”

She covered her face. “Oh, my God. I forgot that came up.”

My smile widened. “What’s the story?”

“It’s not what you think.”

“Try me.”

She sighed, muting the television. “It was AJ’s senior year, my sophomore year. Colleges were looking at him to be their quarterback. The team was good that year. They made it to the state semifinals.”

“Okay.”

“There were two guys on the team. I don’t even remember their names.” Ayla shook her head at the memory. “Both of them decided, without consulting me, that they liked me. Which, fine, that happens. I was fifteen, and I was at every game as AJ’s little sister. I get it.”

“But you didn’t like either of them.”

“I thought both of them were exhausting for different reasons.”