Page 118 of Wildcat
Johnny Maverick is in the hallway and steps beside me like he’s going to say something.
“Not now, Maverick. I need to find Scarlett.”
“That’s what I was trying to tell you.” He jogs beside me to keep up. “She’s here.”
I stop. “Here?”
He points to the far end of the hallway, where family and friends wait for players.
She’s here.All the air is knocked from my lungs. My legs can’t take me to her fast enough.
Her expression is impossible to read, but the Leo Lohan jersey she’s wearing isn’t. She’s mine. We belong together. She’s my most important teammate.
I circle her waist with an arm and kiss her. She lets out a shocked squeak but then lifts up on her toes and places her arms around my neck.
Everything else feels insignificant without this. Without her.
Flashes bring me back to reality. When I finally look up, it’s to see a crowd of people, including the reporters I just left.
Scarlett tries to hide behind me, but I take her hand and pull her to my side. Right where she belongs.
42
DICK OVER DONUTS
SCARLETT
“Why is everyone staring at us?”I whisper as Leo tightens his grip on my hand to keep me next to him.
“Probably because I just told them all I was in love with you and going to win you back.”
“What?” My voice is shaky as I look up at him. He grins, waves at the reporters, and pulls me farther down the hallway to a quiet area that’s off-limits to the media.
The smell of his soap is like a hit to the memory bank, unlocking all the feelings I’ve tried to repress since I last saw him.
“You came,” he says, and his gaze drops to take in my jersey.
“Of course I did.”
“None of this matters without you.” He fists the material at my hip. “I’m sorry that I didn’t do a better job of protecting you. And I’m sorry if I scared you or embarrassed you by hitting that guy. I’ve spent the last few days going over it and over it.”
“And?”
“I still want to hit him.” One side of his mouth lifts in a rueful smile.
“I love that you stood up for me, but I hate that you needed to. I don’t want to be the person that causes the drama and distractions in your life.”
“Too late,” he says and leans in close. “I’m officially distracted. Besides, everyone deserves to have someone risk going to jail for them. I love you, dream girl. I have a lot of bail money.”
“I love you too.” So much. “I want to be good for you.”
“You are.”
We have things to figure out, but I know I want to find a way to do this.
“Say it again.”
“I love you, Leo Lohan.”
