Page 267 of One More Kiss

If only I were his girl.

Once everyone is back in position, Colton yells the cadence, and I snap the ball perfectly. Colton and I fall back into the same dynamic we had in high school. We were a perfect match then and still are now.

It feels good to be on the field again with my former teammates. Especially Colton. I’ve watched him play without me for years and to finally pair up again feels amazing. Too bad it’s only for one day.

An hour passes and the game is tied. Tensions are high for the win and the good-natured trash talking is in full force. Word also must have gotten around that Colton is in town, because we’ve acquired a small crowd of spectators cheering us on.

I shotgun snap the ball to Colton and start evasive maneuvers with Troy. “How’s it feel to know you’re going to lose?” I ask.

Troy laughs. “The game’s not over yet, Ashford. I hope you’re ready to buy all of my drinks tonight.”

I snort and shake my head. “Not a chance. This game is going to be over in about five seconds.” I see Colton from the corner of my eye just as he releases the ball. I follow the trajectory as it aims for Brayden in the end zone. Holding my breath, I watch him stretch his arms out and effortlessly catch the pass.

“Yes!” I pump my fist in the air and spin to Colton, who’s already making his way toward me. Lifting me in his arms, he spins me around. “Just like old times, isn’t it?”

“Together we’re unstoppable.”

Colton sets me back on the ground, his hands lingering on my waist. “I might have to tell Burdick to watch out. He has some competition for his position.”

I give a nervous laugh and take a step back, needing to put some distance between us. “I was the first female on our team. Why not be the first female in the NFL?”

“No doubt in my mind that you would dominate that field. There’s nothing you can’t do when you put your mind to it. That’s what I love about you.”

My breath hitches in my throat. He’s said I love you before but has never looked at me the way he is now. His heated gaze is searing me to my soul. We stand like that for what feels like an eternity. Until the guys gather around us, breaking the spell.

I force a smile to my lips and exchange high fives and congrats with my teammates, and then join in with teasing the losers about all the alcohol they will have to buy this afternoon.

Allie joins the group and wraps me in her arms. With her lips to my ear so no one else can hear, she asks, “Are you okay? I saw you and Colton have a moment there.”

I feel moisture fill my eyes and I blink the tears away. For a moment, I had hope that maybe he did feel more for me. But now I realize it was just me projecting my own feelings onto him. Searching for signs where there are none. “It’s nothing. Just a little nostalgia from playing together after all these years.”

“Remember what I said about fate,” Allie whispers as she squeezes me tighter.

I wish she was right, but I think fate has something else in store for me other than Colton.

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