Page 40 of Playful Kris

“God, I remember why I fucking hate tequila,” Kaleb sputters, making us all laugh.

“Nah,” his brother says, “I don’t think I could ever hate tequila.”

I blush, the underlying meaning of his words isn’t lost on me. Maybe it’s the alcohol making me feel all fuzzy, but I could never hate tequila either.

“Ugh, those ball pants should be illegal.” Cora laughs next to me as I push the bottom portion of my chair down and sit.

The sun is beating down on us since we’re just behind home plate, no coverage to protect us. The stands are starting to fill up, everyone in this city loves their baseball team. College sports are a whole different level, one I’ve tried to avoid getting tangled up in. I’m not big on crowds, or organized sports since I’m focused on school.

“Look,” she points and I follow her hand, “there’s Kris Hart. I’ve heard he has what it takes to go pro.”

She rattles on about his stats and how he’s supposedly the best in the state at whatever position he plays, but I tune her out because his eyes are locked on me. He says something to the guy beside him, and they turn heading back into the dugout or club house, whatever the thing is called.

I know who Kris Hart is though. He’s one of the hottest players on campus, a legit star on the diamond, but he's also the campus whore. One I need to stay far, far away from.

Cora begged me to go to the baseball game, and I fought her tooth and nail until finally giving in.

And I’m glad I did.

We still have thirty minutes until the game starts, why we needed to be here so early is beyond me. I’m listening to Cora talk, telling me about her classes and what she plans on doing next semester when she freezes, her eyes going wide. I frown, confused by her sudden silence, because Cora is never lost for words.

I feel the empty seat next to me flip down, and even though I haven’t looked, I can tell whoever is occupying the seat is huge. My head slowly turns in their direction, and holy hell. He’s even more gorgeous up close. Gray eyes get lost in mine, as he leans back in the seat, propping one foot on the back of the chair in the row in front of us.

“I’ve not seen you here before,” he tells me.

I look back at Cora, certain he’s speaking to her but she’s preoccupied talking to whoever his friend is.

He chuckles, bringing my attention back to him. “I’m Kris. With a K.”

He extends his hand between us, and I take it. It’d be rude not to, right?

“Kameron.” I pause, trying to force myself not to be weird with this interaction. “With a K.”

His eyes flash, but I’m not sure with what. Surprise? Desire? I have no clue, I’m so out of my element right now.

“You staying for the entire game?” he asks, and I nod. “Good, wait for me after? There’s a party at the baseball house tonight.”

“Umm.” I’m not big on parties. I’ve gone, I’ve enjoyed them, but I’m not the most outgoing or fun at parties.

“Please?” He sits up, leaning toward me. “What’s your favorite alcohol?”

“Tequila,” Cora says from beside me. “She loves tequila. Makes her clothes fall off, just like the song.” She winks, and I immediately turn red.

“I think tequila just became my favorite, too.” He winks. “Don’t leave, I’ll come find you after and we can go together.”

“Ok,” I tell him, I can’t find any other words to use right now.

Tequila just became my favorite.His words play over and over in my head. Was he flirting?

“Of course he was flirting, goof. He clearly wants you, that’s why he asked you out tonight,” Cora tells me, and I realize I must have asked that question out loud. “You know, if anyone could get him to straighten up his ways, it’d be you.”

Me? I’m just a boring girl that’s hyper-focused on my education and what the future holds.

I doubt I could turn the campus playboy into a one woman man.

Someone touches my hand, pulling me from the flashback. My eyes focus on Kris in front of me. I’ve somehow taken another step toward him, standing fully between his legs now. He’s talking to his brother and Ruby about something, but I feel the hand he had resting on the bar against my back.

If only Kris was able to be a one woman man, life might look quite different right now.

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