Page 90 of Give You Up

Am even more so when he jogs over, takes off his helmet, and after handing it to Dare, he holds my face tenderly in his palms and kisses me so ardently, the crowd oohs and claps, shouting their encouragement.

They are encouraging him rather than questioning why a clean-cut guy is kissing a tatted and pierced girl with short hair. We come up for air. He caresses a finger down my jaw, grasps my chin between his fingers, and plants another kiss on my mouth.

“Best surprise, Syn. Thank you, babe, for being here.”

“Thank Dare. This is his doing.”

“Giving credit where credit is due. So my girl.”

He rewards me with another kiss before he turns and thanks Dare.

“You’re family now, man. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, Taron.” Dare hands Taron his helmet.

They fist bump and do this explosion thing with their fingers. Shaking my head, I smile. These guys of mine.

The rest of the game plays out just like that. Taron scores. After he celebrates with his teammates, he kisses his fingers, points at me, then runs on over and kisses me. Each kiss is hotter and lasts longer than the previous ones. Our kisses give the defense time to get onto the field. And with each touchdown and kiss, the crowd chants louder for DU to score another touchdown.

The crowd is so loud, they drown out the opposing QB’s calls. Penalties are doled out. The crowd, encouraged by their whooping and hollering, whoop and holler louder. Laughing, I cover my ears. Our defense sacks their QB. I stick my arms in the air and shake my hips, doing a victory dance.

“Woo-hoo!” My voice rises above the crowds. Taron turns around, and holding on to the front of his jersey, looking sexy as sin, he shoots me a lopsided grin. My heart stutters in my chest. My guy is happy. I’m happy.

We’re winning our first game.

Beau is up in the press box with the dean. I feel his eyes on me. On Taron. Feel his approval like the heated rays of sunshine on my face.

Soon, we’ll find the guy who hurt Natalie.

For now, my mom’s and Beau’s secrets are safe.

What can possibly go wrong?

36

Taron

“Hey, man, you and Syn an item? Or you getting in on the action with her and Dare? Will she be up for a threesome with any of us guys, or does she reserve her body for the ones who have the money to pay up?”

I am an inch from socking Booker’s face. Instead, I clamp my hand on his shoulder and squeeze hard enough for him to visibly wince.

“She’s off limits, man.”

“Aren’t you paying her?”

This guy is not getting the message. I decide to toy with him. There is nothing else to do to pass the time with these jerks. I am not here for playing video games. I’m here to make certain I nab a scumbag, making certain he never hurts a girl again.

“What am I paying her for exactly?” I let go of Booker’s shoulder and cross my arms.

The guys stop helping Dare set up consoles and monitors and listen in on our convo.

“To go where you go. To keep you in line. You in line will help us win games.”

Verbatim. Damn.

“Have you seen Syn on the sidelines keeping me in line?”

“Nah, bruh.”

“Did you see her going where I go when we partied hard last night, sipping from the well of hot girls with smoking-hot bodies?”

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