Page 70 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

And I was.

I needed to soak up these moments while I could.

“Cole’s looking good out there,” she added, giving my arm a little squeeze.

“Poppy…”

“What? I’m just stating a fact. He does look good.”

“Mm-hmm.”

She peeked up at me and grinned. “You know, he never wanted to come on the double date with Kacie.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I think it does.”

“I think you need to stop.”

“But it’s so much fun.”

Ashleigh chuckled at us, and I scowled. “Please don’t start ganging up on me.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t dream of it.” Ashleigh arched a brow before cheering for the team again.

I watched them huddled around Coach Ford, strategizing for the fourth quarter. If they got the win, their place would be as good as guaranteed for the playoffs.

“God, they’re so close, Sofe, and Aaron wants it so much.”

“They’ll do it.” They looked strong out there. Clean, precise passes and an amped up defense. But Limmington had brought their A game too. They were going into the fourth quarter only two points behind, so there was still everything to play for.

The guys started jogging out onto the field, but not before Aaron searched for us in the crowd. Poppy waved wildly, yelling, “Go, babe. You got this.”

“Oh my God, will you two stop, already?” I murmured, right as Cole found me.

Time slowed down, the roar of the crowd fading into the background. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. We weren’t supposed to be having these big, defining moments. I didn’t want him to get any deeper than he already was. I didn’t want—

“I know that look,” Poppy whispered.

“Huh?”

“Cole, the way he’s looking at you.”

“Shh. He isn’t looking at me in any kind of way.”

“He wants you, babe.”

“He does not.” The lie almost choked me.

“Pops is right,” Leigh added. “He has that puppy dog in love look about him.”

“You cannot tell what he looks like under his helmet. Will you two just stop.” I flushed, my heart careening in my chest.

Because I felt it.

I felt it every time his attention was on me.

But it didn’t matter.

---