Page 23 of One Spicy Summer

“I know what your problem is,” Luke grins. “You need to get laid.”

The other guys pile on, throwing out dumb suggestions like they’re horny middle schoolers.

“Nah,” Rafe says, stepping in. “He lets it all out on the field. That’s why we keep winning.”

“Leave it to Rafe to come in and save his boyfriend,” Luke snorts.

“Anyway,” he continues, “you coming to the after party? Win number six deserves celebration.”

“Yeah,” Weston smirks. “Julie’s gonna be there.”

I roll my eyes.

She’s had a crush on me all season, but she’s not my type. Never has been. Never will be.

Because Presleyismy type.

“I’m going,” I say, slamming my locker shut. “But I could give two fucks that Julie’s gonna be there.”

“You serious?” Weston looks like I just murdered his dog. “Dude, that’s social suicide. She’s hot.”

“Thenyoufuck her,” I say, brushing past him.

Rafe jogs up beside me. “Don’t mind him. Weston’s brain is eighty percent hormones.”

“I’m not worried about him,” I say, but then a thought hits. One I can’t shake. “Is Presley going to the party?”

He doesn’t miss a beat. “Probably. She gets out of dance at five-thirty. Might skip the game, but her ass is definitely gonna be there.”

He walks off, lost in his own thoughts.

But me?

I’m smiling.

Because if she’s going to that party…

I’ll be the one playing with her tonight.

Chapter Eleven

Presley

As my arms float above my head, gliding effortlessly through the air, all I can think about are Rygaard’s kisses, how they trailed across my skin, lighting goosebumps in their wake. A shiver runs down my spine just thinking about the way he makes me feel every time his lips touch mine.

I falter, one misstep, and I nearly collide with another dancer.

“Presley, your pirouette has gotten sloppy. Why?” Madame Dupanchane snaps. I shrug, biting back the real answer.

“Great, she doesn’t have an answer.”

“Oh, I have one,” I mumble under my breath. “You just wouldn’t want to hear it.”

She stalks toward me, eyes sharp. “If you do not want to take this class seriously, then leave. Otherwise, get your head on straight and start again.”

I want this, more than anything.

Since I was a little girl, dancing has been my escape. The way I can twist and bend my body, defying gravity, becoming one withthe rhythm... It makes me feel untouchable. Free. Like I could float away and never come back.

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