“Thank you for bringing me here,” she said.
“No problem. You want a ride home?”
“I don’t want to put you out.”
He ran fingers through his hair, and she was sure he was doing it on purpose to show off his amazing physique. She couldn’t deny that he was hot in every single way.
“You’re not putting me out, but you know, the pizza place is on the way to your place.”
“I’m not going on a date with you.”
“I know that,” he said, laughing. “But come on, give a guy a break. I’m starving. I was training and it has been a long time since lunch and I don’t have any snacks on me. I’m hungry.” He pouted at her, and she shook her head.
“This isn’t a date,” she said.
“Absolutely not. No date. I promise I won’t even pretend it has the potential to be a date.” He held his hands up in surrender and she couldn’t help but feel hungry herself.
“Okay, fine. We’ll go for pizza.”
He clapped his hands.
“No date,” she said again.
“No date.” He put his fingers to his head and saluted her.
She rolled her eyes as she walked around the car, climbing into the passenger side. “This sucks.” She’d been meaning to get her car serviced, but each time they wanted it for more than a day, she’d declined the available slot. This kind of served her right. She should have just left her car.
“It’s just pizza,” Blue said.
“No, it’s not about the pizza. Sorry. I’m just thinking about getting to school.” She didn’t mind walking, but she’d have to leave her home a little earlier. Again, not a problem at all.
“How about I pick you up?”
“It’s fine, Blue, I don’t want to put you out.”
“Babe, you don’t live that far from me. It’s not putting me out, not even for a second.”
She chuckled. “I don’t mind walking.”
“And when it’s pouring rain?”
She looked toward him. “I thought you were hungry.”
“I am, but I’m also going to make sure you don’t get sick or something. It’s important for you to stay fit and healthy.”
She stared at him. “You’re nothing like I’d expect.”
“Hopefully that’s a good thing.” He winked at her.
“I’m not sure.” She laughed. “Okay, fine. Food and you can pick me up each morning. I don’t like to be late, so please don’t make me.”
He clapped his hands together. You’re not going to regret it, I promise.” He turned over the ignition but she didn’t have the heart to tell him she already regretted it. He didn’t need to hear that.
Running fingers through her hair, she looked out the main window and just watched the world go by. Or more specifically their little town.
Blue hummed to himself as they made their way to the pizza place. She rarely visited by herself. When she was with Becky and John, they preferred the diner across the street. Becky had an absolute love for the different varieties of burgers the main chef seemed to have on the menu. So far, whenever Becky thought she’d tried them all, a brand new one came onto the scene. It always made her smile at the annoyance on her friend’s face.
There was a spare parking space around the back of the place. She climbed out and Blue held his hand out as if for her to take, which she didn’t, instead, giving him a strange look.
“Not a date,” she said, reminding him.
He chuckled. “Of course. I was just testing you.”
“Yeah, of course.” She laughed. She moved a little closer to him.
Several people they passed cheered Blue, giving him a high-five and congratulating him on an amazing game. She didn’t comment as they headed inside.
The guy behind the counter told Blue to sit and he’d bring over his regular. They found a free booth.
“Do you ever hate that?” she asked. “All of the attention?”
“Not really. I don’t mind it at all. It’s good for the guys. What I do hate is when they constantly congratulate me as if I alone run the whole team. I don’t.” He shrugged. “I try to do right by the guys, but it’s not always easy.”
She reached out, putting a hand on his. “At least you try. That has to mean something.”
“It does. The guys know I won’t take all the credit, and I won’t.”
Now this was news to her. She’d seen and heard about how much the town loved him. He couldn’t do anything wrong. She’d often wondered about the rest of the team, and now she knew her answer.
Their pizza was delivered in record time.
“Wow,” she said.
“Being the town’s hero does have its perks.” He winked at her. “Enjoy.”
She picked up a slice and took a bite, closing her eyes as the flavors of tomatoes and cheese exploded on her tongue.
It tasted so good.
“Maybe being popular isn’t such a bad thing,” she said.
“Is that a compliment I hear?”
“Not a big one. Don’t let it go to your head.” She couldn’t help but laugh.
“Nah, you see it’s started. You’re curious about me now. You want to learn more.”
“You do have a high opinion of yourself.”
“It’s the only way to be, baby.”
She enjoyed her slice, and in the time it took her to eat one, he was already starting his third. She couldn’t help but smile at him and hated to admit it was a lot of fun hanging out with him.
Blue wasn’t just some dumb jock.
Chapter Three
“What do you get chicks who love to learn?” Blue asked as Mitchell collapsed against his locker.
“This about Laylah again?”
“When is it not ever about her?” he asked.
News had gotten around the school that he was seen out with Laylah and then of course, he’d arrived at school with her in his car.
Picking her up was a step in the right direction. He didn’t exactly have a plan or know what he was going to do. Just that he had to do something to get what he wanted. He wasn’t the kind of
