“Trying to decide if I want M&M’s or Reese’s.” I shrugged, and she turned back around to face the concessions stand. The smirk I caught a glimpse of just before she’d done so assured me she knew I was lying.
“We’ll take a bucket of popcorn, one M&M, one Reese’s, and two blue slushies.”
I stepped up behind her, fully aware of how she leaned against me, closing the small amount of distance that remained, yet I didn’t move away. I couldn’t because I quite enjoyed the feeling of her pressed against me.
“I made an executive decision,” she whispered back to me, and without a second thought I brushed my lips over the shell of her ear. “Good call,” I said just before kissing that same spot on her where I had only ever kissed Harley before. The thing about it was, in doing so, I didn’t feel guilty or regretful. The only thing I felt was the urge to do it over and over again. “Make sure you add a package of cherry licorice too.” I placed my hands on the countertop, one on each of her sides and caged her in.
I remained in the same position, my chest pressed to AJ’s back while we watched the young girl behind the counter gather our things. Just before she stepped behind the register again, I held out two twenties, and AJ took them, passing them forward.
When she tossed a smile at me over her shoulder, I had the urge to lean in and kiss her, but I fought it. I knew it would only be interrupted, and that wasn’t how I wanted to have our first kiss happen.
Reaching around her I helped gather up the junk we’d just purchased, and she picked up the two drinks before we stepped back and walked side by side toward the theater. I still wasn’t sure what we’d be watching, as she kept that part a secret; I just offered up the money for the tickets. When we paused in front of the theater doors and I looked up to find we were watching a horror movie, I knew it was more for my benefit than her own.
“I just thought since I had you to snuggle up against that a scary movie wouldn’t be so bad.” Seeing her smile as she looked over at me made me realize maybe the choosing wasn’t strictly for my benefit.
“I’ll keep you safe,” I assured her. There was a flash of doubt that flickered in her eyes, and it did something to me. A deep ache filled my stomach, that need to prove that I wouldn’t hurt her hit me. I wasn’t willing to make any promises as to where this thing between us would go, but I could guarantee that I’d never willingly hurt her.
Once we were inside the theater and firmly planted in our seats, I looked around to see how close we were to any others. I liked that we were tucked back in the corner, and the nearest person was four or five rows ahead. It gave us the chance to talk without others hearing.
“Can I be honest with you?” She looked over at me, worrying her lip, and simply nodded. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”
“Me too.” She smiled shyly.
“I should have asked you out a long time ago.” I reached out and pushed back the hair that was caught in her lip gloss.
The lights in the theater began to dim just as I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers. A small whimper escaped her just before her lips parted and I grazed my tongue over them. It was a simple kiss, quick, but in no way did it feel lacking.
As I pulled back, I opened my eyes to find AJ with hers still closed.
“There’s that kiss I said we’d share by halfway through, yet the movie hasn’t even started.”
A smile covered her lips as she opened her eyes and looked directly at me. “So arrogant.” She couldn’t fight the laughter that bubbled from her lips as she pushed against my shoulder. When she tried to lean away, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close.
“Maybe we should get a few more in before we get sidetracked by the fear of the movie.”
“Or maybe I should make you wait,” she tossed back without pause.
As I moved in to steal another kiss, she leaned back and pursed her lips. It was then I realized AJ was nothing like I thought she was—she was so much more.
Chapter Six
We were up by two at the bottom of the ninth; it should have been done, another win for the Eagles. Only the opposing team hit a home run to tie the game, taking us into a tenth inning. Our team was good, great even, but I was beginning to think Louisiana saved their good shit for the end.
Reaching the dugout, I was met with a lot of pissed off guys, throwing around their gloves and tossing out a few choice words.
“Bullshit.” Collin kicked the side of the fence, and I stepped in toward him.
“It’s not bullshit. It’s the game. Now we go out there and do the same shit only better.” I slapped his shoulder and he offered me a nod as he picked up the bat and stepped outside the dugout for a few practice swings.
I leaned forward and hooked my fingers through the fence, looking out toward the stands. There sat my family, in the same place they’d always sat, front and center, but they weren’t who I was looking for. AJ had told me she planned on making the game, yet I couldn’t find her.
Our night at the movies was more than I expected. We flirted, yeah, but we
