Page 30 of His North Star
His head tilted back as he laughed. “That’s the best description I’ve ever heard.”
Why, thank you, sir. “How does it feel playing with your friends again?”
“It makes me miss college. The game is invigorating.”
“Are you hurt anywhere?” My gaze roved over his body. “You’ve taken quite a few hits.”
He closed the distance between us, only inches separating our faces. “Are you offering to kiss them better?”
My breathing startled. I pushed his shoulder. “You agreed, no kisses.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I may regret that now.”
I did not. “Too late,” I said. “A promise is a promise.”
He scrunched his nose and looked above my shoulder, as if assessing what would happen if he stole a smooch anyway.
“I don’t understand why you don’t wear pads like in football,” I said to get his mind off kissing. “It seems unsafe.”
He met my gaze. “Football is more physical. And despite how hard we play, I’ve never had a concussion. I don’t know many football players who can say the same.” He may never have had a concussion, but he’d broken his ankle.
“Hey, lovebirds,” one of the guys on the field yelled. “It’s game time.”
I turned back to James. “Good luck out there.”
“Thanks.” He winked, then jogged back to the field.
I glanced over to Ty and Lys, and sure enough, she was making good on her word. Ty’s hands were slack by his side and he was leaning back as if he couldn’t wait to escape. That man. How much longer would Ty stay with her? He wasn’t doing either of them a favor by drawing out his breakup.
“I’m stinky and sweaty,” James said, out of breath. The game had ended, with James’s team winning by three.
“I think I’ll survive.Ifwe eat outside,“ I teased.
“Actually,” he winced, “the guys were talking about grabbing lunch. I didn’t know they were planning on that when we agreed to go out. Will you be disappointed if we reschedule?”
My shoulders fell. I shouldn’t be. I put him in the friend zone for a reason. Yet as crazy as it was, disappointment hung heavy in my limbs. Would I feel this way if Ty was the one ditching me for his friends?
Probably.
He hadn’t seen these guys for years, though. Who was I to demand that he choose me—someone he’d met a month ago—over his buddies? As sad as I was that our lunch was canceled, I wouldn’t be that person.
“No. Go hang out with your friends. I’ll see you later.”
I turned to walk toward the parking lot when he said, “I’m sorry.” When I peeked over my shoulder at him, he frowned. “Please don’t be mad.”
“I’m not.” At least, I tried not to be. I had no reason to feel like this.
He stepped toward me and pulled me tight to his chest. Wet warmth seeped into me.
“Ew.” I stepped back with a wrinkled nose. “You really are sweaty and stinky.”
He chuckled. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I lifted one shoulder. “I don’t mind too much.” I looked around for Ty. Was he going out with the guys as well?
“I promise to make it up to you. How about Wednesday night? I’ll cook dinner at my place.”
James had mentioned he’d mastered a few dishes in the kitchen. Would they be as good as the crêperie, though?
