Page 31 of Unbidden

I don’t miss the flirty wink he throws my way. The carefree laugh I let out surprises me. It must surprise him too by the way his eyes go wide before he laughs as well.

The man on the field calls his name again, and he turns to leave. He takes two steps before turning back, giving me a serious look.

“Can we talk later? Privately.”

Usually such a word would be delivered with a flirty tone, but he’s dead serious.

My heart softens at the look in his eye. “Yeah, Keat. Whenever you want, I’ll make time.”

He gives me another smile before grabbing my hand and kissing the back of it.

“Wish me luck.”

“Like you need it,” I call to his retreating form.

After he hops the fence, he turns and blows a kiss my way. I can’t help but shake my head.

“Damn. That was hot, S. I think Keat has a thing for you.” Victoria fans her face.

Rolling my eyes, I retort, “Yeah, right. He’s a notorious flirt. I doubt that boy will ever settle down. With all that charisma and charm oozing out of him, he’ll be making the girls pant for years.”

“You included?” Tinsley’s voice holds a hopeful note.

“Not likely, Tins. Sorry to burst your bubble.”

She sighs and shrugs. “It was worth a shot. I wouldn’t mind having you as a sister.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “I can still be your sister. V too. We don’t need men to form that bond. Family isn’t just blood in your veins or connections through that blood. Family is whoever’s going to be on your side to encourage and uplift you. I always got you, girls.”

Victoria squeezes the other side of Tinsley as we have a spontaneous group hug. We laugh as we break apart.

The game starts. Tinsley explains parts to me throughout, but it doesn’t sink in. I enjoy it anyway. I cheer extra loud every time they say Keaton’s number. When he makes a goal, he points to our section with a wide smile. His silly antics are slowly thawing my icy barrier. I’m glad I decided to hear him out. I think it’s time I do what I keep hoping they’ll do and grow up.

We also cheer for Sterling and Finley, but I refrain when they cheer for Reed. As much as his heated looks light my body on fire, his jackass personality ruins it for me. He’s a bully, and I refuse to let myself fall into his trap.

We make our way out of the stadium at the end of the game.

“What did you think, Sage? Are you a lax fan now?” Tinsley asks.

“Don’t know if I understood the game, but I must admit it’s pretty hot that they can beat the hell out of one another with a stick,” I muse, causing both Tinsley and V to chuckle.

I lean against V’s car in the parking lot, waiting for who knows what. Someone’s blaring music from their car.

“Right? That slashing can get intense. Add in the speed of the ball when it’s thrown and the danger level goes up,” Tinsley says seriously.

“Just think about how crazy those guys are in bed. The amount of stamina they need to have to play… it can only give a girl hope,” V says on a sigh, and Tinsley blushes.

“I don’t want to think about it,” Tinsley mumbles.

“Don’t want to think about what?” a voice says from behind me. I look over my shoulder and see Reed, Keaton, and two other guys who are always with them.

“Nothing,” Tinsley squeaks.

“Right,” one of the other guys drawls.

“Sage, have you met Sterling Brooks or Finley Abbot yet?” Tinsley asks me while pointing to each guy.

“Hi,” I mumble, not interested in making friends with them.

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