Page 59 of The Wiener Across the Way

A soft breeze swirled the fallen leaves around our feet and a ray of sunlight shone down right along our path. I shivered, but not from the cold, more like awareness flittered over my skin, and my chest contracted. Someone up above was telling me that what I wanted was exactly the right thing.

I took Kelsey’s free hand and led her through the last patch of trees on our path and into the open shores of the Kingman lake.

“Oh. Wow. Declan. This is... awe-inspiring. I didn’t know places like this even existed in real life. It looks like something out of a fantasy movie.”

“It’s the perfect place for that picnic I promised you.” I spread out the blanket, plopped down the basket, and then dragged Kelsey down with me, settling her on my lap. “This is where you can come when you just need to get away from it all.”

She ran her hand down the side of my cheeks and stared into my eyes for so long that the scenery around us faded away. There was only me and her and the beating of my heart. She leaned in and pressed her lips to mine.

This kiss wasn’t as frantic and needy as the one at the cabin, but it was just as delicious. I was trying my best to be good and romance her, but if she asked me to strip her bare and make love to her under this tree right here and right now, I would.

Instead, our moment of peace was shattered by our god damned phones. I’d meant to leave them behind but had forgotten them in my jacket pocket. I hated that we even got a signal up here and was going to murder whichever rich entrepreneur decided to put cell phone towers on Bear Claw mountain.

Both of our phones erupted into swarms of buzzes. Something must be going on and unless it was the zombie apocalypse, I didn’t care.

“Dammit,” I muttered, pulling them out. Mine was messages from my agent. Something about Swoosh loving the ‘good press’ from last night and wanting to seal a deal. Frankly, that was sus. I’d be rethinking that when we were back to real life. But today I was ignoring everything. There was also a whole string of messages from Jules too. But the only one I read was the final one that told us the fam was going to do game night on Sunday.

Depending on how Kelsey was feeling, I think she’d enjoy game night. Although, I’d have to be ready to show her exactly how competitive I really was.

Kelsey’s phone was a frenzy of notifications, but I didn’t want her to see any of them. The world was bound and determined to keep her under its thumb.

She peeked over. “What’s happening?”

“You’re getting bombarded,” I said, scrolling through. “Messages from Skeeter, Penelope, and a bunch of others.”

She snatched the phone from my hand and exactly what I didn’t want to happen manifested right then and there. Her face fell, and I could see her muscles tensing up, her anxiety spiking as she read a message from Penelope. “There are rumors that you’re bullying me into canceling shows and speculation that you’re... mean off the field too.”

“That’s bullshit,” I growled. They wanted me to be mean? Well fuck them all. Frustration took over, and in one swift motion, I hurled both our phones as far as I could into the lake. They disappeared with satisfying splashes.

“Declan,” Kelsey exclaimed, half-shocked, half-amused. Pooh barked and waded into the water like she was chasing a stick.

“I’m tired of everyone needing something from us and speculating on who we are, how we feel about each other, and what we should or shouldn’t be doing. Right now, we need this – peace.” I looked at her, hoping she’d understand.

She bit her lip and laughed. And it was the first genuine laugh I’d seen from her maybe since the first day we’d met. So I did the only thing I could think of when something so perfect happened. I picked her up so she had to wrap her legs around my hips and her arms around my neck. I kissed her, and this time I wasn’t stopping for anything.

INSTASNAP

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[Pic outside of the hospital of Declan and Kelsey in disguise as they hurry to the SUV]

Is Declan Kingman just a big bully?He's been nominated as the meanest player in the league. If you've seen him play and take out quarterbacks like rag dolls, you know he deserves the award.But is this rough and gruff linesman pushing pop star Kelsey Best around off the field?Just look how he's pushing her into the car. And does she look scared to anyone else?

@IncognitoMosquito: That man is a walking red flag. I'm glad someone else is finally seeing it. #walkingredflag

@KanYayKing: She's just playing the victim, like most women do #IsaidwhatIsaid

@JakeJayOfficial: Do I need to go to Colorado?

@BestiesBestie: You're delulu. She's scared because people like you send paparazzi to take pictures like this. He's protecting her. #TeamKingKel

@KingmanPrincess: Declan Kingman is the nicest guy you'll ever meet, unless you're a quarterback for the other team #TeamKingman

@OopsImBritneyAgain: Kelsey! Wear a yellow shirt if you need help #FreeKelsey

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