Page 54 of Sneaking Around with the Player
“And six weeks after that is spring break,” she adds.
“Exactly. And in the meantime, I’ll be blowing up your phone.”
“You better.” She nuzzles into my chest.
I hold her until I’m in danger of missing my flight.
“All right. I gotta go. I love you.”
“I love you too.” She wipes at a tear and then steps back.
I wipe it away with the pad of my thumb, and then brush a quick kiss on her lips.
I turn and walk toward the security line. I glance at her one last time and wave before I hand the guy behind the podium my ID and ticket. My heart feels full and heavy at the same time.
My flight is boarding, but it isn’t my turn yet, so I take a seat and pull out my phone. I just stare at the screen. A second later, it lights up with a FaceTime call from Stella. I hit accept quickly.
“Baby?” I answer, thinking something is wrong. Or maybe I forgot something.
“I love you,” she says as her face fills the screen. “I just needed to say it one more time. Have a safe flight.”
I sink back in my chair. “I love you too. Wanna keep me company until they force me to put away my phone?”
She grins. “Absolutely.”
Beau
One year later—Christmas
Iring the doorbell and step back to take in the sheer number of Christmas lights and holiday displays on the Walters family house.
Stella warned me that they went super over the top this year, but her description did not do it justice.
I’m still taking it all in when the front door opens.
“Hey.” Felix tips his head in greeting. “You made it.”
He opens the door to let me in and I hold back a chuckle. If the outside of the house is over the top, the inside looks like something straight out of a Christmas catalog.
My gaze roams, noting the decorated trees in every room, more lights strung up inside, as well as wreaths and holiday pictures—it even smells like Christmas in here.
“Oh, come on,” Felix says, snagging my attention. He waves a hand in front of my T-shirt. “You can’t wear that.”
“What, this?” I ask, fighting a grin as I stare down at my football championship shirt.
We met Valley in the conference championship game earlier this month and pulled out a victory. It was close. Felix threw thekind of game that will be talked about for years to come, but we were better. At least that day.
“Is that Beau?” Stella calls from the kitchen.
Felix is still grumbling under his breath, so I holler back, “Hey, baby.”
A second later, she comes running and jumps into my arms.
“You’re finally here!” She peppers me in kisses, and I give them right back.
I don’t hold back in front of Felix. We’ve reached a sort of understanding. I do right by his sister, and he doesn’t try to murder me. Seems fair.
I place Stella on the ground when her parents join us. Mr. and Mrs. Walters are cool. I think they might even like me.
