Page 56 of Bronco

She balks. “Has it ever snowed in New Orleans before?”

“Two-thousand and nine was the last time. I’m a bit of a weather buff. I also predicted Tom Brady’s retirement last year, who would win the NFL before the season started, and I told Cash I had a hunch about who had kidnapped Audrina, and that turned out to be true.”

She stares at me. “So, you’re really psychic?”

I shrug. “I don’t think it’s that, I think I just get a feeling about things.”

“So, I shouldn’t go out with Ben?”

“No.”

She nods. “I won’t then.”

Why does my heart stutter when I hear her say the words? She’s actually going to listen to me?

“I just don’t like him.”Especially if I imagine his hands on you, not to mention anything else.

“Thanks for the tip.” She turns to watch as the game begins.

That’s it? Thanks for the tip?I thought she’d be mad, tell me I can’t tell her what to do, and who the hell do I think I am? But she says none of that. It also doesn’t help matters when she brought up the nine inches thing. Has she been thinking about it? Clearly she has if she’s measured. I don’t wanna brag, but I would be lying if I said I’m overcompensating, or whatever it was she said.

As the first quarter unfolds, I find out that Amber is quite the cheerleader; voicing her opinion out loud, shouting out to the refs and encouraging her favorite players. She’s awesome. I’ve never seen her like this; carefree and at ease in her surroundings. I like that she’s comfortable with me, and that she chose me to spend tonight with.

At half time, I get us more drinks and food. For a slight little thing, she can certainly put some grub away. She has another hotdog, and I grab some candy and a couple of large foam fingers because I’m really just a big kid at heart. Amber’s delighted when I come back and present her with one of the large hands; she laughs and takes it off me, super pumped for the next half.

She checks in with Indi on how Olive’s going, relaxing when Indi texts back. I dig how cool she’s being about this whole thing with Erica and Olive, and now it’s clear that maybe they have something to do with this cult thing, too.Is that the reason Erica left Olive in her care?

If so, why hasn’t Amber said anything? If Erica is in some kind of trouble, then she needs to enlist the help of the MC, or at the very worst, call the cops. Maybe she really believes Erica is coming back, but it seems sketchy.

“I can’t watch anymore!” Amber cries out when her favorite player misses a three-point shot. The scores are close, and it’s gonna suck if the Nuggets win at a home game.

“Tell me about it. I’m having an anxiety attack over here,” I murmur.

All of a sudden, people around us start turning our way to look at us, and I’m about to ask the dude in front what his problem is until I look up onto the big screen.

Oh, fuck no.

The kiss-cam is pointed at us. Right at the same moment, Amber realizes too and puts her head in her hands, her cheeks coloring bright red. I can’t let the moment go, since it’s gonna be on TV and all. I lean toward her and prod my cheek with one finger. If we try to avoid it, the crowd will only go nuts, and then the cam will only persist even more, or worse, come back later for another shot. She leans my way and presses her delicate lips to my cheek.

The crowd boos, making me chuckle with laughter as I thumb her way and mouth ‘we’re just friends’ but before I know what’s even happening, Amber grabs my face and then her lips are pressing against mine. She’s fucking kissing me.

My heart skips a beat, my palms instantly sweat, and I can’t feel my toes because my body is numb. Her lips are soft, sweet like honey, and breathtaking. Her mouth parts a little and it’s then that I reciprocate, kissing her back as the crowd goes nuts all around us. The jolt of electricity is like nothing I’ve ever felt before; every part of my body is tingling, my blood feels like it’s on fire in my veins. She’s still cupping my face when she pulls back and smiles at me, albeit a little sheepishly.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to disappoint the crowd,” she gushes.

I blink. “That’s the reason you kissed me?”

“Haven’t you secretly had a fantasy about a kiss-cam moment? Like in the movies, though usually it’s a stranger…”

“Let’s not talk about kissin’ strangers.” The cam has moved on, but my heart feels like it’s taken up residence in my throat… and my dick. I can’t adjust myself because that would be totally obvious, and I don’t want Amber thinking I’m weird, even if she did just plant one on me without warning. “And don’t apologize.”

“I should’ve asked first,” she says sincerely.

My hand finds the back of her neck and she turns to face me, her face still red from embarrassment. “You never have to ask to put your mouth on me, got it?”

“But we’re?—”

I press my forehead with hers. “Don’t say it. Just for a second, let me pretend.”

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