Page 50 of Dreams
Chapter Twelve
Josh’s father and brother didn’t wait for him after the game, but he wasn’t surprised. Between talking to the media and showering, it took him about an hour to leave the locker room.
He walked outside next to Mack, who was still ragging on him, but Josh didn’t care. He was riding a wave of confidence that couldn’t be shaken and suddenly knew what he had to do that night before he lost his nerve. It was time to talk to his brother.
“Josh!” Taylor came jogging up behind them and they turned.
Mack threw and arm over her shoulders and leaned in. “You, my dear, just won us that game.” She grinned before brushing him off.
“I told you you could do it,” she said, looking at Josh. “You were amazing.”
“I still can’t believe I played like that.” His smile matched hers.
Mack stood nearby, looking from one to the other in amusement. “Just give her a thank you kiss already.”
Both Taylor and Josh snapped their gazes to him, and he stepped back with his hands raised in surrender. “On that note, I’m going to go.” He turned on his heel and walked away.
“Did you do this for me?” Josh asked, turning his attention back to her. “Coming to the arena, I mean.”
“For you,” she nodded. “And for me. Turns out it was more therapeutic than anything else. It felt good to be back in this world.”
“That’s good.” He wanted to kiss her so badly, to show her what she did for him by just being there. But something held him back. She still wasn’t ready, and he didn’t want to lose her.
Taylor took his hand, threading her fingers through his and started leading him towards a parking garage. “My car’s over here.”
“Taylor, there’s something I have to do tonight.”
She nodded as if understanding exactly what that something was. “I’ll drive you.”
“I may be a while.”
“I can wait.”
The drive to the hotel was only a few minutes, just long enough for Josh’s confidence to start seeping away. They parked, but he didn’t get out. Taylor reached out and stilled the hand that had been drumming nervously on the dash since leaving the arena. His skin warmed under her touch, and his breathing calmed as he looked sideways at her.
“What are we doing here?” she asked softly.
“I…” He leaned his head back on the headrest and closed his eyes. “I have to talk to my brother.”
“That’s what I thought.” She thought for a moment. “Alright, Josh, I’m going to give you a pep talk now. Do I have to call you Walker?”
He laughed despite the weight in his chest. “Whatever you want.”
“Okay then, Walker. You can do this. Just go in and play your game. You know what you’re doing.”
“That’s the worst pep talk ever.” He smiled. “You basically just told me to do what I want.”
“Fine, then how’s this?” She wrapped her fingers around the back of his neck and pulled him closer until she could press her lips against his. She met no resistance as she slid her tongue across his bottom lip and then pulled on it with her teeth. He pressed his tongue forward with a groan.
Josh’s arms slid around her back, but before long she pulled away, resting her forehead against his.
“What was that?” he asked in between heavy breaths.
“Courage,” she whispered, her breath hot on his face.
“Well, none of my coaches ever give pep talks like that.”
“That’s good, considering one of them is my dad.”
