Page 117 of Keep Me

Britt was still watching me, but I couldn’t decipher the look on her face. Turning to her, I asked, “Is it okay if I join you guys for dinner?”

“Judging by that kiss earlier, I’d say she’s fine you with you joining us,” Sam said as he approached. Stone-faced, he looked at me like he wanted to crush me under the pressure of thousands of baseballs. Well, that wasn’t the start I was going for. “I, however, have questions.”

“Sam.” Britt knocked her brother on the side, but it did nothing to move him. The guy was built like a house. “Shut up.” Shedropped her head to look at the ground so I couldn’t see her face. Why did I find her embarrassment so damn cute?

I held my hand out to Sam. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Brennon.”

He took his time to accept it, but when he did, I felt a little pressure in my hand. “Heard a lot about you.”

“All good, I hope?”

“Debatable.” His hand was still gripping mine. No longer a friendly shake, but more of an intended warning.Hurt my sister. I hurt you.

“Oh my God. Sam, stop!”

He dropped my hand instantly. “What? I’m just telling the truth. Ihaveheard a lot about him.” He turned back to me. “When she came back from her first semester at Covey U, she wouldn’t stop talking about you. Everything was ‘Matty this’ or ‘Matty that.’” He rolled his neck until he was looking at his sister again. “I swear she thought you invented football the way she talked about you.”

“Sam. Please. You’re embarrassing me.”

A small smile grew on his face. “Sorry, but I think your boyfriend needs to know just how obsessed with him you are.”

“He’s not my…” She paused and looked over at me, hesitant to finish that sentence.

Luckily for her, Sam didn’t give her time to. He pulled Britt in for a side hug and kissed her on the top of the head. “Well done, sis. I’m proud of you. You make that look easy.”

She snuggled into his side, hugging him back. The sheer love they had for each other was clear, and I was happy Britt had such caring people around her. “Thanks.”

“When you get big and you’re interviewing me on the field, would you mind flashing my number across the screen? Could use a little help in the dating department.”

He pulled back enough to ruffle her hair, causing Britt to squeal.

“Stop it!” She cried, patting down her blonde tresses. “Like you need any help. I read last week that you took that singer Bailey Hill to dinner. Is it true?”

“That was all PR.” Sam eased out a smile and winked before looking into the stands, and his gaze landed on the reporter booth where Sienna and a couple of other journalist majors were standing. “I’m still looking for the one, and who knows, she might be here.”

Her gaze followed his, and she immediately pushed him away, causing Sam to let out an audible grunt. “Ugh. Don’t you dare go near my friend. If you want a girlfriend, then go onThe Baseball Bachelor. You’ll fit right in with their sleezy pickup lines.”

He scratched his chin and pouted his lips. “You know what? That’s the best idea to ever come out of your mouth. Maybe I should do it. I could spread the love around before settling down.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“Alright you two,” their mom said, stepping between them. “Let’s get some food before we have to listen to any more bickering.”

Britt’s face softened as her eyes landed on me, and when she smiled, my fingers itched to touch her. To claim her as mine, but I held back. It wasn’t appropriate. Not yet, at least.

“Are you coming?” she asked with this low, husky tone. It was fucking sexy without even trying.

“Would you like me to?” I brushed my helmet against her arm, the only form of connection we were allowed to have in this moment.

“Of course.”

“Then yes, I’ll come.” I dropped my gaze to my uniform. “I’ll just change out of this and meet you there.”

“Okay.” She pressed her lips together, her hand coming up like it was about to touch me, but she stopped herself.

Would it be that bad to kiss her right now?

“Go change already and stop looking at my sister like that.” Sam interrupted the moment, making Britt and I laugh.

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