Page 79 of Need You To Choose Me

“What?”

My mouth falls open as Blake pulls a dark purple jersey with a bear paw—our team’s logo—on the front etched in gold.

“What do you think? Do we like them?”

Kids cheer happily around him as he hands them each one, along with a little duffel bag that contains God knows what.

As if he can feel my gaze on him, Blake looks up. “I cleared it with the principal.”

The corner of my mouth twitches upward. “I didn’t say anything.”

Blake gives me a knowing look. “I know you.”

I shake my head as he shifts his attention to the kids and continues handing out the stuff.

“That was very nice of him,” Rose comments from next to me, a bag and jersey in her hand.

“It was,” I agree.

Nice and mindful. Football stuff was expensive, and I knew a handful of kids who’d struggle to afford it. But that was who Blake was, wasn’t it?

After the kids grab their bags, most parents gather their children, and they leave for the parking lot.

Not Lucy though.

Rolling my eyes, I turn my back to them, put away the now empty container and gather around the few balls that were still left lying around.

“I could have done that, you know,” Blake comments as he joins me, picking up one ball and tossing it into a bag.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind doing it.” Straightening, I notice we’re alone. “No fans anymore?”

Blake just watches me for a second, until a smile flashes on his face. “Jealous, Blondie?”

“Wh-what?” I stutter, feeling the heat rise up my neck. “Of course not.”

His irises twinkle in amusement. “Mm-hmm…”

“I just can’t believe she’s acting that way. In front of the children, no less. You should have heard her during the practice, she was insufferable, saying all…”

The words die on my lips when I see his smug expression.

Dang it.

I should have kept my mouth shut. My tongue darts out, sliding over my lower lip as I try to get out of this mess I’ve made, when Levi joins us, saving me from further discussion. “Do you have any more of those cookies, Miss Parker?”

“No, but I’ll bake some more for our next practice.”

His face lights up. “Yes, please!”

“Levi,” Blake warns, but the boy ignores him. Instead, he beckons me closer. I crouch down so we’re at the same level, and he whispers in my ear, “Don’t tell Mrs. M., but your cookies are way better.”

I chuckle softly. “I can’t really believe that.”

“They are!” he insists.

“C’mon, Cookie Monster. Time to go.”

Levi goes to grab his backpack, and Blake uses this moment to lean down, his scent surrounds me, his lips brushing against my earlobe as he whispers so only I can hear him. “I think I like you jealous, Miss Parker.”

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