Page 65 of Breakout
“Thanks, Pey,” I whisper back, reluctantly letting her go.
“What do you think about the jersey?” Cora asks. “She went and bought one to support you.”
I look down at Peyton, looking sheepish as I smile. “Oh, it’s wonderful. I always knew you’d wear my name one day.”
On your back and every day of your life.
“Don’t get cocky.”
I suck my bottom lip in my mouth before letting it go.
“Well, I’m going to head home. I want to get a nap in before all the guys come back drunk from the win,” I tell them.
“You don’t want to celebrate?” Grace asks.
“Not at some bar. I’ll catch you later.” I go to leave, but Peyton grabs my hand, shocking me.
“You think you can give me a ride? I have some classwork I want to catch up on,” she says.
“Booo. No fun,” Cora says.
“I came to the game and called out at work. That’s all you get.” Peyton turns back to them, hugging them each.
“Fair enough.” Then she turns to Grace and whispers loudly. “Maybe she’s going to see the condom guy.”
I choke on my spit at her words. Peyton shoots her a glare before grabbing my hand and pulling me away.
“Bye, ladies,” I call back, letting her lead me around.
Truth is, I’m happy to have her touch me in public for once. As soon as we are away from the locker room, I thread my fingers through hers and match her pace.
When we get to my car, I help her inside before getting in the driver’s seat.
“Condom guy? Do I have to worry?”
She glares at me. “It’s you. You’re the condom guy. She found a condom wrapper in the room.”
I glance over at her, shocked. Then I burst out laughing.
“It’s not funny. She now thinks I’m either seeing someone or whoring around. How am I supposed to explain this?”
I reach across the center console and grab her hand as I slowly ease out of the parking space. “Don’t. It’s none of their business. Or tell them the truth. I’ll follow your lead.”
“You’re too good to me. You know that, right?”
“No, Peyton. I’m not. I’m really not,” I say, hating that she feels that way.
“You really are. You deal with my crazy without even blinking. You could have any woman out there, yet you are with me.”
“You are selling yourself short. Sure, I could have someone else, but I don’t want anyone else. I only want you.”
“This isn’t…” she starts.
“Don’t. I don’t want to hear that. Please. Not tonight.”
“Okay,” she whispers.
“Okay.”
