Page 15 of My Secret Bandit

Guilt sat heavy in my chest for days after turning Kyle down, hurting him. He was always there supporting, comforting, offering companionship. Until he wasn’t and I thought I made a mistake. Like agreeing to the date could’ve repaid his kindness. But I physically couldn’t say yes. I knew where it would lead and that wasn’t a path I wanted to walk down.

The new—hole-less—front door and his foul attitude are daily reminders that I made the right choice. I never showed a romantic interest in Kyle. He was my friend with no potential of more. I made that clear.

Not wanting to draw attention to myself while surrounded by headline-hungry reporters, I fell into the background. Hiding, specifically in the seconds after Mateo looked over at me with a thousand-watt smile not even his facemask could conceal.

Unfortunately, Kyle saw everything. His eyes volleyed between only me and Mateo the entire time.

Three sharp blows of Coach Porter’s whistle signaled the end of practice. Press headed for one exit. The team went to the other, and I hung back, relieved to be away from the crucifying stare. A new, refreshed burst of air filled the space as soon as his blonde head disappeared through the tunnel.

Finally, the few remaining people followed. Feeling silly being the only person around but confident I wouldn’t run into Kyle on the way to my car, I made for the exit.

One last turn to the field showed it still empty. No curly hair bouncing or thick, sculpted thighs sprinting in my direction. A twinge of disappointment settled in my chest, but I swallowed it down.

I didn’t expect Mateo to make time to talk to me. I hoped he would, but I knew he was busy, that the coaches ran a tight ship and kept an even tighter itinerary. Plus, my waiting around was moreavoid Kylethan anything.

Turning back for the tunnel, I collided with a stone, sandalwood scented wall. A warm blur of bronze wrapped me up and spun us to cushion our fall.

“Fuck,” Mateo half chuckled, half groaned. “I’m sorry, you okay?”

“I’m good. At least now I know what it feels like to be tackled. Not that it was on my bucket list or anything,” I joked, and his head fell onto the ground with a laugh.

Then I realized my body on his and the insanely irrational fear of my weight crushing him felt impossible to ignore.

I scrambled.

Tried getting my knees or my feet or my palms to the ground for leverage until he tightened his hold around my waist to still me. I looked down at him, a shiver skated heat over my skin. My hair fell around us, creating the illusion of privacy. One that let us forget where we were or that anyone, at any second could stumble upon us.

Mateo noticed too. His eyes darkened as he watched me, his heavy arm tightened a fraction, fingertips digging a little firmer against my side. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nodded, afraid to move my lips because of the way they’d stolen his attention.

“Are you?” I finally whispered back. My words brought him back and his arm loosened.

Pushing myself up, I offered Mateo a hand.

“By far the best tackling experience I’ve had.” He smiled. His hand slid into mine as he easily lifted himself from the ground. “Sorry, it took me so long to get out here. I couldn’t get Coach to stop talking. I bolted as soon as he turned around.”

“It’s probably better that no one sees, anyway.”

“Why?” he questioned, cocking his head to the side.

I shook my head. “I don’t know, media’s backed off. I don’t want to be the reason it starts again. Especially once people find outthis,“ my hands drifted from my shoulder to hips, “is who you were referring to during the interview.”

“What do you meanthis?“ His voice was soft, but he almost sounded offended by what I insinuated about myself.

How can I recover from this?

Exhaling a deep intake of air, I prepared to explain myself the best way I knew how. “I’m more than familiar with being judged based on my appearance. I mean, you experienced it firsthand. You are gorgeous, and I’m just this.” Again, I gestured to my body, trying to make a point. “I just know that once everyone knows you stepped in to protectme… there’s going to be a lot of opinions thrown around and most won’t be easy to hear. I’m not ready for that. For either of us.”

“Look at me.” He cupped both hands around my face, giving me no other option, not that I needed one anyway. I could stare at him all day, memorizing every twitch of his lips or flicker of emotion as each one skipped through his hazel eyes. “One, please stop referring to yourself as ‘this‘. You are so fucking far beyond beautiful. Two, I don’t care about anyone’s opinions but mine… and now yours. Three, I’m glad to hear that the attraction is mutual.“ Solid arms wrapped around me in a nearly knee-weakening embrace. “Can I see your phone, please?”

His grin, while meant to look sweet, only came across as seductive. With unsteady hands, I gave it to him.

He swiped, and the passcode screen lit up. Before he moved to hand it back, I unconsciously gave him the key to the one safe housing just about every piece of information important to me. I should have felt vulnerable or bare, but… I didn’t.

He typed it in with that grin he never seemed to take off. “So, I know your passcode. Does that mean we’re dating now?”

Nervous laughter fell from my lips.

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