Page 50 of Wanting the Winger

“Lane, I don’t just want to be your friend,” he says, his expression turning serious.

My heart hits the floor and I can’t help it—the tears roll down my cheeks.

“I want so much more,” he continues.“And I want to start by doing what I couldn’t do seven years ago.Will you go to prom with me?”

My jaw drops.I swipe my fingertips over my cheeks to clear them.Even though I don’t know what’s happening, I know this is the most shocking, absurd, amazing moment I’ve ever imagined.

“Prom?”I manage.

“Yeah.I’m having a prom just for you.And me.For us.All you have to do is say yes.”

He takes my hand in his, hope swirling in his eyes.I can’t believe this is real.It’s everything my younger self dreamed of.Actually, it’s more because Bash did this himself.I didn’t imagine it.

He wanted to.And he did.

“Yes.”I squeeze his hand.“I’ll go to prom with you.”

Everyone around us is yelling and cheering.Bash hands off the microphone and embraces me, my feet leaving the ground as he lifts me up so we’re eye to eye.

His lips are on mine.My heart backflips wildly as he kisses me.The kiss is soft and sweet, but there’s certainty, too.Like he’s been waiting forever for it and there’s no doubt in his mind.

I’m breathless and a little dizzy when he sets me back down, everyone around us still cheering.

“We’re going to prom?”

It’s September—not the right time of year to crash a high school prom.But Bash just rewrote the chorus to a classic ’80s song to invite me to one, so I can’t help wondering what’s in store.

He gives me that sexy grin I never really got over.“You bet your ass we are.”

He cups my cheek and kisses me again.I still feel like I’m in an alternate reality.

It’s happening, though.And if I have further doubts, there’s video evidence.

I’m almost twenty-five years old, and I’m going to my first prom.

ChapterSeventeen

Bash

I tapLeo’s shoulder as we wait to climb the stairs to board our team plane.He turns and pulls one of his AirPods out.

“Did you know “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie is actually an ’80s song?Came out in ’89.”

“Fascinating,” he deadpans.

“It’s got a ’90s vibe.”

“I guess.”

He turns around, but I catch him before he puts his Air Pod back in.“Should I put it on the prom playlist or not?”

He scrunches his brow and gives me a look.“You gonna dance to that song?”

“I mean...I could.”

“Please don’t.”

The line to get on the plane moves and I climb the stairs, putting my phone in my pocket.It’s six a.m.and we’re boarding our first flight to an away game for the season.

---