Page 65 of Never Say Never
His eyes flicker with surprise, and then…curiosity? He looks down at where my hand rests on his, then floats his gaze up to my face.
His lips start to move the smallest amount. Once, twice. Like he’s forming words but uncertain he has the right ones.
Then he shakes his head and pulls his hand out from underneath mine. “Yes, for sure.”
He places my keys in a cup holder in the middle of the front seats. “I should go before Connor starts honking or something.”
And a second later, he’s out of the car, fading into the dark once Connor pulls away down my street.
HOT STUFF MAGAZINE
Rawley Cheers His New Love On in Style
(May 20). There were two number eights for the Surge this week when football star Rawley Battle showed up to his new girlfriend’s game, wearing his own Avery Parker jersey.
In a moment seen around the world (or at least the internet), the two embraced before her game, appearing publicly together for the first time since confirming they’re a pair.
“Rawley loves that he can come cheer Avery on during his offseason,” an exclusive source toldHot Stuff. “She’s been a real stabilizing force for him already, and he’s excited to be there for her too.”
The two were also caught holding hands after the game before driving off together.
Fans across the internet are eating up these latest pics of the couple.
“Avery seems like the coolest,” said influencer Tasha Michaels, who blogged about the night. “And I need her to drop that hair and skin routine, stat.”
No word yet on when we will next see the new Prince and Princess of Orlando in public, but you can betHot Stuffwill be there.
17
RAWLEY
Idon’t let myself think about Avery on the drive home with Connor. Largely because I don’t want my little brother to pick up on something and start poking around.
As soon as I’m lying in my bed though, my thoughts start churning.
Her actions areconfusingme. I’m trying to fight my attraction to her, but the more she opens up, the more I find myself sinking deeper.
When she has those softer moments with me, like right before I got out of the car, do they mean anything? Maybe, taking her at her word, it’s that she considers us friends, whereas before, even that was in doubt?
I definitely think she’s attracted to me. However, if she doesn’t want to do anything about it, I have to respect that.
No matter how much I like her.
Two days later, I don’t have any better answers, but I do have my big brother back in the mix.
“Look what I picked up at the airport on the way home,” Landon says, as he walks in the kitchen, having taken the red-eye from France.
He throws a magazine on the kitchen table where I’m drinking a protein shake. Oh yippee, it’s Avery and me on the cover of some gossip rag.
“The check-out attendant looked at me oddly, like he recognized me, and then I explained I couldn’t wait to give you shit about it.”
“Awww, thanks.” I drag my hand through my hair to mask my annoyance.
“Better you than me.” Landon looks half sympathetic despite the quip. “I’m glad things are going well. I’ll go to a Surge game with you sometime.”
Accepting the change in tone, I give him a small smile.
“So, you ready for your first OTA tomorrow?” Landon has come back because even though the OTA is optional, it’s not something he would intentionally miss.
