Page 53 of Flame After the Fumble

“I’m so excited!” Willow shrieks.

“This is going to be the best,” Violet says.

Kissing her cheek, I whisper just for her, “You’re amazing, baby.”

With the extra encouragement, Liza pushes the glass door open and we’re met with a crowd of both young and old art enthusiasts.Show time.

35

Liza

On top of the world doesn’t begin to describe the feeling coursing through my veins. Hartley flew my sister in to make sure this night was everything I imagined. I never mentioned the idea of Willow coming down because I knew it would be virtually impossible with her school schedule and her visit not too long ago, but he did it.

My mind swirls in a lustful frenzy with Hartley on my arm as I knock elbows with some of the most influential people in the Florida art community. I introduce myself to each one and direct them to my exhibit.

“I need to see it.” Hartley turns on his boyish charm as he sticks his hands into his dress pants pockets. “You can’t hide it forever.”

“Let’s go.” Nodding my head to the back room of the exhibit, we make our way through some of my classmate’s art pieces. Intricately painted pottery pieces, huge watercolor canvases, and woodwork line the walls creating a masterpiece at every turn, but my stomach churns when my exhibit comes into view. In a small cut out corner lies some of the best pieces I’ve evercreated. The title of my collection of art hangs on a glass plaque with vinyl lettering:

More Than the Gamesketched and painted by Springs U sophomore visual art student, Liza Wilde.

Hartley leaves my side and beelines straight toward the sketches I’ve spent months perfecting with him as my muse. He’s close enough to see every speck of paint I used on the canvas and every small imperfection if he wanted to.

Slowly cozying up to his side, I cross my arms over my chest and eagerly wait for his response. “So. . .”

“Baby. . .” His voice trails off. His eyes never leave the art hung on the wall. He focuses solely on the piece I drew of him in the locker room. One of the first ones after we made the deal to help each other out. I focused the most on his facial features that day. His intense eyes show flicks of light as he concentrates on his gloves. His carved muscles outlined by his practice shirt, that dimpled grin drawn across the canvas waiting to jump out at anyone that looks its way. I should have known back then how far gone I was for him, but staring into the art I created, it hits me how much denial I was in.

“You’re talented.” He gulps down. “I don’t think anyone’s ever seen me like this.” His voice drifts off, focusing on the emotions deep within himself. “More than a football player.”

“You’re everything,” I answer without hesitation. “In fact, being a football player may be the least interesting thing about you.” His head tilts to meet my lazy gaze full of promises I intend to keep.

I catch a red hue spread across his cheeks. “How so?”

Tapping my finger on my chin, I pretend to mull his question over. “Let’s see, you care fiercely for the people in your life. You make sure I feel like the only girl in a room full of people, and—” A smile spreads across my face. “You’re mine.”

He lets out a soft chuckle and laces his fingers with mine. “I want to hear it again.”

“What?”

“What I am to you.”

“Everything.”

His hands cup my cheeks and my eyes seal shut, rolling to the back of my head. Without opening my eyes, his lips land on mine and everything else ceases to exist. Time stops. It’s just us in a fancy room by ourselves, surrounded by my work, completely connected to the boy I love.Woah.

“Liza! Oh my gosh, this is amazing!” Emberly and Violet both chant as they enter my little corner of the exhibit.

Jolting from the warmth of his lips, my hand nervously flies through my curls as I’m hit with the reality that we aren’t alone.

Hartley’s hands grip my hips so tight it’ll probably leave marks. He breathes out with his eyes locked on me, refusing to let go. “Why’d you stop?”

“We have company.”

“My question remains.” He’s closing the distance again as his rough hand cradles my jaw. He tilts my chin to meet my eyes with a mischievous smile. “Why did you stop?”

Shaking my head and letting out a loose chuckle, I reply, “You’re unbelievable.”

“Sorry!” Violet backs away as she gnaws on her already short nails. “We didn’t mean to interrupt.”

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