Page 34 of Just Say Yes

“It’s just a feeling,” I said, shrugging. “Like I need something that suits you, something ... perfect.”

“Hookerwasn’t good either?” she teased.

A genuine laugh cracked out of me.

She laughed with me and rolled her eyes, but I saw the slight blush rise on her cheeks. “You can call me whatever you like, Princess.”

I grinned, loving that feisty edge in her. “Noted. But I can’t make any promises, Peach.” I looked at her and we both laughed. “Definitely not.” I thought again. “Maybe ... Lightning. Something powerful and impossible to ignore.”

Her laughter was soft, but the tension grew only heavier, like neither of us wanted to break this thread connecting us, pulling us closer. We settled back, the silence between us charged, and every so often, I’d catch her glancing my way, her eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite read—like there was something she wanted to say but kept holding back.

And I felt it too—that awareness, the electricity humming in the space between us. I’d never shared a bed with someone wherenottouching felt more charged than anything else.

Finally, I rolled onto my side to face her, my hand brushing hers as I shifted. Her breath hitched, and she went still, her gaze meeting mine with a spark of challenge and something deeper, something that had my heart racing.

“Stay on your side,” she murmured, her voice low, teasing.

“Oh, is that a challenge?” I replied, feeling the grin stretch across my face.

She shrugged, her lips quirked into a half smile that was equal parts daring and shy. “More like a warning.”

And there it was, that dare, the unspoken test hanging in the air between us, charged and almost electric. She looked away, but not before I caught the slight flush in her cheeks, the way her pulse flickered at her neck.

The tension lingered, neither of us willing to break the silence, and I could feel my body tense, every nerve lit up by the closeness, the warmth radiating from her.

For the rest of the night, we barely moved, both holding ourselves carefully, but every breath felt deliberate, every tiny movement loaded with something I couldn’t put into words.

* * *

When my alarmsounded and I opened my eyes, she was gone.

The bed was empty beside me, and I felt an odd pang of disappointment. Shaking it off, I got dressed and headed down to the field, ready for game two of the doubleheader, my thoughts still half on her as I warmed up. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that lingered from the night before—that spark, that sense of something unfinished.

I shot her a quick text, making sure she’d gotten home okay.

The game was intense, faster than usual, and every time I caught the ball, the adrenaline surged, propelling me forward. My moves were quick, reflexes on fire, and everything clicked into place, like I could see the whole field with a clarity I hadn’t felt in a long time. The roar of the crowd was thunderous, each play feeling like a surge of energy.

When we finally won, I couldn’t help but search the stands, looking for her. The rush of victory surged through me, and I barely noticed my teammate, Jack, clapping me on the back with a smirk.

“Man, whatever you did last night, do it again. You’ve got some serious lucky charm energy today,” he joked, flashing a knowing grin.

I brushed him off with a laugh, but the idea started to take root. I showered, and at the first opportunity, before I even knew what I was doing, I pulled out my phone and fired off a quick text to MJ.

Not saying you’re my lucky charm or anything, but just played one of the best games of my life. You sure you weren’t in the stands somewhere?

A moment later, my phone buzzed with her reply.

MJ

I had to get back early. Maybe your luck is because I’m NOT there. Ever think of that?

I chuckled, unable to keep from grinning as I typed back.

There’s no way. It’s all you. I swear, you’ve got this weird magic going on.

MJ

Yeah, yeah. Keep dreaming, hotshot. Maybe you just needed a confidence boost from someone who doesn’t even understand rugby

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