I ditch my coffee and move my hands to cover hers. “I swear that nothing will ever come between us. If things don’t work out between Pax and me, it won’t change anything between us. I know this in my soul.”
“Me too,” she says, turning her hand around to link our fingers. “And because I’ve been on the opposite end of this situation, I know how hard this conversation can be. I support you and him. Have you talked to him?”
I nod, my cheeks heating, warming my body as I think of last night.
Rae chuckles. “You can reserve the details. I don’t think I can stomach hearing bedroom stuff about my brother.”
I laugh, my heart setting a new tempo.
“Lincoln didn’t think he’d slept in the room last night. He said the blankets on one of the beds were missing.”
“He brought them to my room since the heater was off.”
Sarcasm lights Raegan’s eyes. “And I’m guessing he used the same line Lincoln did and told you that being naked was the best way to keep you warm.”
I laugh outright, catching the attention of a nearby table that has my cheeks flushing again like they might know what we’re discussing. “He was a little smoother about it.”
Rae drags a hand down her face, a smile tipping her lips. “This is actually kind of great. I think the group would have been really disappointed to learn it was all a lie. And my mom is going to be thrilled. You know she already considers you family.”
My lips form into a smile that doesn’t leave me all day as we wander through the small town, finding quaint shops and a walking trail before heading to the stadium early.
The guys are on the field when we arrive, running practice sets. And even with my view largely obstructed by his helmet, I see him in ways that make my body heat. Relief fills me as a sense of rightness floods me—a sensation I feel whenever he’s near. The afternoon should be dull and boring from sitting in the stands for several hours, coldness seeping through our clothes as the sun begins to set, but being here with Rae and feeling her approval is like icing on a cupcake, and when the game starts, my eyes are glued to the field, watching every detail and second of the game and feeling a thrill as Pax has what Raegan deems the best game of his career. And when it ends, and I make my way down to the field, I don’t feel the same hesitancy and uncertainty about being caught on camera. Instead, I find Pax and marvel in the way his face lights up at the sight of me, and then I claim his lips like he’s claimed me.
After our short flight, I pack my bag and head for Paxton’s. When I reach his front door, nerves have officially taken over my body. I’m fairly certain if I stopped and paid attention, I’d notice my hands are shaking. Instead, I start biting my thumb nail as I lift my other hand and knock.
Arlo answers with a quick smile. “You know, you don’t have to knock. Just come on in.”
I smile rather than tell him I won’t. Not anytime soon, at least.
“Hey, Poppy,” Caleb says from where he’s sitting on the couch next to Julie. She leans forward and waves at me.
“Hey,” I say in return, glad to see them hanging out again.
Soft footsteps on the stairs have me turning my attention to see Pax. He’s wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and a smile, his torso bare and his hair damp. It's hard to move my attention from his perfectly sculpted abs, but when I do, his slightly stubbled jaw, defined cheeks, and soft lips that had searched and explored me last night like I was his air and food are only overshadowed by his intense blue eyes that completely disarm me. Desire and the victory shine in his eyes, along with a dozen other familiar expressions that I don’t have time to account for as Arlo cheers.
“You guys have a lot to celebrate tonight,” Arlo says. “That was my boy’s best game of the season. We slaughtered them.”
Paxton wears a matching smile as he stops beside me, setting his hand on the middle of my back where his fingers extend and then retract, so light it’s almost ticklish. Then he leans close and kisses me just above my temple and makes a quiet sound in the back of his throat that is too erotic and sensual. My body reacts instantly, warming and tingling as his fingers spread over my back again. “Are you heading to Olivia’s?” Pax asks Arlo.
Arlo nods. “I just had to get some clean clothes. The Pres just left, and—”
“Cool,” Pax says, and then he drops and puts his shoulder into my lower belly and lifts me. “I’d like to chat, but I need Poppy’s opinion on something upstairs.” He collects my overnight bag. “See you guys next week,” Pax says, heading back up the stairs.
“Paxton,” I hiss, my face burning from both embarrassment and nerves.
He doesn’t stop or slow down, and a part of me is so happy about the fact that I don’t even care that the others are laughing in response and likely know exactly what we’re going to do.
Pax flips on his desk light and closes the door, then sets me back on my feet. Before
