Page 29 of His North Star
CHAPTER 8
James,Ty,andLysganged up on me, pleading that I go to the rugby game. They were
sneaky about it, too. Instead of all asking at once, they each took a turn needling me down until I agreed. James was the clincher. He promised he wouldn’t get all weird and cocky after
the game like some men do. And maybe by their late twenties, guys don’t act the same as when they’re in high school. But when Lucas Williams—whom I’d dated for five months junior year—asked me to be in the stands cheering for him every Friday night at his football games, just like all the other players’ girlfriends, I went.
His dark blue eyes and tantalizing kisses were hard to say no to. Without fail, after each game, he’d find me waiting for him outside the locker room. He’d plant a fiery kiss on my lips, then ask, “Did you see me in action?”
The rest of the night, he’d rehash every tiny detail of every single play he’d run. I suffered through his prideful monologue after the games because one, it’s what I do—he was the limelight, I supported from the shadows—and two, I could endure a lot when kisses were on the line. Especially kisses that helped me ignore my feelings for Ty.
When I’d told James about Lucas, I’d texted:Me:We’re friends, so don’t expect me to act like a woman obsessing over her man like Lys, and there will absolutely be no kisses.
James:You sure? I mean, not even a little peck for good luck?
Me:[laughing emoji][rolled eyes emoji] Nope. Oh, and don’t ask if I saw whatever amazing play you made. I’ll be there, so you can assume I saw it, all right? [thumbs up emoji]
James:I’ll agree only if you let me take you to the crêperie afterward. We’ll talk about whatever you want. [GIF of an adorable puppy batting his eyes]
Me:You have a deal, friend.
So here I sat, on the cold metal bleachers of my high school football stands, on a late-May morning. Lys and I had our legs—hers a mile long—stretched before us, soaking up the sun and men on the field below.
“Not too bad of a view,” Lys said appreciatively.
“Are you saying that because you think Ty looks hot in his uniform?” I teased. “Or because you’re impressed by the athleticism it takes to play the game?”
She chuckled. “A little of both. Although I have to say, I’m jealous you got to watch him play growing up. He’s so manly out there. It’s hot.”
I smiled. Ty was attractive, but I didn’t ogle him like Lys did, because my heart got caught up in wanting, and I had to keep those feelings contained. I shook my head. “I didn’t go to many games.”
She shot her hand out, grabbing on to my arm. “You didn’t watch Ty play?” she said, offended on his behalf and shocked that I wouldn’t want to make eyes at Ty. If only she knew me back in high school.
“A little bit in middle school, but by high school I went to football games instead. Besides, he almost always had a girlfriend there to support him, along with family. I wasn’t needed.”
“That’s too bad. You missed out on men who look like that.“ She pointed to the field.
And truly, she wasn’t wrong. Ty’s chiseled upper body rippled when he moved. But the eye catcher was his well-defined quads and tight backside on display for all to see. They flexed deliciously. My stomach swooped as I watched him run.No.Ty wasn’t mine, nor would he ever be. All I was doing was torturing myself by dreaming about what-ifs. My gaze strayed to James.
Yep, I could watch that all day. He caught my eyes, and I smiled.
I smacked Lys’s arm. “All right. Enough talk. We sound like we only care about looks. And we’re objectifying men.”
“You’re right.” She cleared her throat and sat up taller. “But our men are attractive as all get out. I can’t wait to kiss Ty in all his sweaty-man glory.”
Ourmen? Correction:herman.
“Yuck,” I complained. “I did not need to know that.”
“Consider this your warning to steer clear.”
No problem. “Will do.”
Lys and I clapped and yelled at the appropriate times. Lys attempted a few chants from her cheerleader days, but when I didn’t join in, she gave up. At halftime, James and Ty jogged over to us in the stands. I purposely walked a few sections over to get away from what Lys wanted to do with Ty.
“So, what do you think so far?” James asked, wiping sweat from his face with a towel.
I leaned my forearms on the metal railing, bending closer to his level, a small smile on my lips. “It’s like a brawl with a ball.”
