Page 57 of Scoring the Player
“I’m sorry,” Felix says as he sits on my bed. “I didn’t mean to go full-on psycho stalker, but I wanted to see you before you left.”
“Maybe call next time?” I offer.
“Noted.” Grinning, he pats the bed. “Now, come here so I can give you your gifts before your heart explodes and I scaled your house for nothing.”
His playful side is endearing and impossible to resist. As the shock wears off, my surprise turns to delight that he’s here. We haven’t hung out all week, except breakfast with his teammates. He’s had extra practices and meetings leading up to their first game of the season Saturday, and I’ve had a similarly busy schedule, trying to get schoolwork done and prepping for the tournament.
When I sit, he turns so we’re facing one another. It isn’t until now I realize how little I’m wearing. Thin sleep shorts and a tank top with no bra. I pull a blanket from Jane’s fort and wrap it around me before I sit beside him. Excitement finally zips through me. “You got me a gift?”
“Two.” His expression is all boyish pride. He’s so pleased with himself and I’m dying to know what he could possibly want to give me that’s worth climbing into my window at night. “Which do you want first, right pocket or left pocket?”
His hands disappear behind him.
“Right,” I say, then watch eagerly as he pulls something out of his back pocket and places it in front of me.
My stomach flips as he sets the red licorice on the bed between us.
“You got me licorice?”
“Red licorice,” he clarifies. “You made your opinion on black licorice very clear the other night, so I got you cherry-flavored.”
My gaze flicks between him and the candy. I’m a little thrown and a whole lot delighted.
“I’m sure you don’t need luck to kick everyone’s ass this weekend, but a little luck never hurt anyone.”
“Thank you.” I trail my fingers along the package, trying to name all the feelings coursing through me at the thoughtfulness of his gift. I’m not sure anyone has ever given me a gift like this. No, I know no one has. I would remember it. I pick up the licorice and hold it protectively in my lap. “What’s in the other pocket?”
His smile grows impossibly bigger, and I’m nearly giddy with anticipation.
“This one is technically a gift for you and me. Another good luck charm, if you will.” He pulls out a wad of blue fabric and holds it up. As the material falls open, I take in the Valley U Football across the front of the jersey. A replica of the ones the team wears.
“I love it,” I say. Then he flips it around and my stomach bottoms out. It has his last name and number. Walters #10.
“Players’ girlfriends all wear them at the games.” He tosses it at me. “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.”
“No, I want to.” I don’t care one bit that it’s part of a ruse to make people believe we’re dating when we’re not. I’m going to wear Felix’s jersey on game day.
“Good,” he says. “Because I can’t wait to see you in it.”
* * *
We play thirty-six holes on Friday, then eighteen on Saturday. The fall season is generally more casual. It’s a chance to work on things, while still staying in a competitive mindset. I’ve been working on my short game since last spring, and it shows in the improvement of my overall score. I finish tied for third, and Valley takes second overall.
“Plans tonight?” Harper asks from where she sits next to me in the van on the way back to Valley. The mood is light. Everyone seems happy with their performances and we’re all eager to get home and enjoy our Saturday night.
No one more than me, though.
“Yeah, I’m going to the football game. You?”
“Oh, right. You’re dating Felix Walters now.”
My face warms as I smile.
“Good for you. He’s gorgeous. All that dark hair and those arms.” She sighs. “Forget about it.”
“He’s pretty great,” I say, feeling a little breathless just talking about him.
“Yeah?” she asks, cocking a brow.
