Levi and Dylan weaved their way through the traffic jam of females, signing autographs while avoiding the grasping hands as much as possible.
“I don’t know whether to be amused or terrified,” Levi whispered out the side of his mouth.
“Depends on if you’re looking for a good time or the fastest way out of Dodge,” Dylan said in his best western twang.
“What I want is—” Jostled, Dylan’s gaze fell onto his waiting car. His heart skipped a beat. “Piper.”
“Of course, you want Piper.” Dylan rolled his eyes. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“She’s here.” Levi exhaled. “Now.”
“What? Where?” Dylan’s head swiveled to the right. “Ah, there she is. Leaning against your car, not mine. Too, bad. I’d hoped she was waiting for me, but I guess not.”
All mine, Levi thought. Getting to her would be another matter, he realized. Every time he removed one woman’s hand, another leached onto him.
“Fine,” Dylan heaved a giant, exaggerated sigh. “For the sake of true romance, I’ll sacrifice myself.”
“Sacrifice?” Levi asked.
“Don’t kick a gift horse in the nuts,” Dylan warned him before putting his best football moves to use. He blocked for Levi, effectively putting himself in the path of the jostling females. “Run. I don’t know how long I can hold them back.”
“You’re a good friend,” Levi called out.
“I’m a saint,” Dylan yelled back. “If I show up to practice on Tuesday with a big grin, we’ll call it even. Otherwise, you owe me.”
Levi wasn’t worried. Dylan loved the ladies. And they loved him. Whatever happened would be mutually consensual and, if he didn’t miss his guess, one hell of a story to share on the team’s next long plane flight.
Jogging across the parking lot, Levi’s steps slowed as he approached Piper. She straightened; her smile was tentative.
“You won.” Piper shrugged. “Obviously. Guess there’s no reason to state the obvious.”
“I’m undefeated,” Levi laughed. “Maybe I should retire with an unsullied record.”
Looking at the ground, Piper shuffled her feet and Levi realized that, for the first time since they met, things felt awkward. Vaguely uncomfortable. The knowledge would have worried him if a feeling of anger hadn’t slipped past his defenses first.
Mad? At Piper? Levi was occasionally annoyed, even frustrated, but he was never angry. Tonight was no different. His negative feelings weren’t directed at her but himself.
Yes, Levi wanted their relationship to change. He was ready for more. Everything. But for Piper, the idea of him as a lover was new. She needed time. Instead of pressuring her, he needed to back off. They were friends which right now was good enough for him.
“I texted you,” Piper said after a long pause.
“Did you?” Levi frowned. “The last time I checked my messages was before the game.”
Piper snatched at his phone, but Levi was faster. Holding his arm above his head, he enjoyed the show as she jumped around him like the cutest bunny ever, trying to no avail to stop him from reading her text.
What in the world had she written?
“Don’t look,” Piper pleaded. “I just wanted to know if you were busy after the game. When you didn’t answer, I took a chance and waited.”
“You shouldn’t be out in the parking lot alone,” Levi chided gently. “The wind is cold and it’s dark.”
“I’m not alone.” Piper waved at something over his shoulder. “See? Riley and Sean waited in their car until you arrived.”
Slowly, the black SUV approached. Sean rolled down the driver’s side window. He gave Levi a thumbs up.
“Nice game,” Riley called out from somewhere inside.
“My first half was bad,” Levi said.
“But the second half was adequate. And, you won. Years from now, nothing else will matter but the W.”
“We need to get home with our boys. Otherwise, I’d buy you a drink.” Sean shook Levi’s hand. “Next game will be better. Night, Piper.”
“Bye,” Piper said. “Thanks for waiting.”
Alone, Levi pushed a button on his key caddy. The headlights flashed, the engine started, and the inside lights blinked on. Using the remote, he pushed the heat to high.
“Let’s get inside and out of the cold.”
“Yes, please,” Piper said as he held the passenger door for her. She slipped onto the seat.
“Get warmed up,” Levi told her. “I’ll join you as soon as I read your text.”
Piper opened her mouth to protest but before she could utter a word, Levi shut the door, locking her in. She pounded on the window but to no avail.
Scrolling through his messages, Levi was amazed at how many there were. And from people he either didn’t know, didn’t care to, or who he hadn’t thought about in so long, the names barely registered.
“One win and suddenly I’m Mr. Popular,” Levi muttered as he clicked on Piper’s text. Slowly, reading the words, he smiled.
Come to me again tonight. I’ll come to you if you prefer. Let’s sleep in each other’s arms. Or, let’s not sleep at all. If you prefer.
Taking a moment, Levi breathing in the crisp evening air. The last thing he needed was to get ahead of himself—ahead of Piper. The meaning of her message seemed clear. Then again, his interpretation might be wishful thinking on his part.
Time to find out.
Climbing into his car, Levi was greeted by a welcome blast of heat. He turned down the fan. Holding out his phone, he looked at Piper
“What should I think?” he asked. He shook his head. “No. Tell me what you want.”
“I made you an offer. Multiple choice.” Frowning, Piper shrugged. “If you’ve changed your mind, no problem. I can get home on my own.”
When Piper reached for the door, Levi took her by the arms, gazing deep into her expressive green eyes. What he saw—the vulnerability, hope, desire—was all the answer he needed.
“I prefer you. Now. Tomorrow. Always.”
First, the smile entered Piper’s eyes. Her lips gradually followed. With a relieved sigh, she wound her
