Page 62 of Never Say Never
Sarah just gives me a squeeze on the shoulder. “I’m glad you’re giving Rawley a chance after all.”
“Thanks, Sar.”
When I leave the locker room, I mentally prepare myself for the next phase. One more round of photo ops.
Kayla pops in my view first as I make my way down the hall. And then a moment later, there’s Rawley and his brother.
I’ve never met Connor before, but I knew he was coming. And he’s got the same face as Rawley and Landon, only with glasses and straight blond hair.
“Hi, Pepper,” Rawley says. Connor looks at him like he’s confused. So am I.
“Pepper?” I ask as I get closer.
“I thought it might work as a nickname. You know, pepper is black like your hair?” He shrugs. “I wanted to try it out.”
Connor starts chuckling, and I’m pretty sure I hear him say “good luck with that one” under his breath.
But I’m not feeling amused.
“Um, no. Rejected. And please for the future, no food-based nicknames.”
Rawley smiles widely. “Heard, loud and clear.”
Why such a big grin? He’s such a smart-ass, did he— “Did you do that whole bit to tease me?”
“Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted my girlfriend to have a super cool nickname.”
“Anyway,” Kayla interjects, “if you guys want to leave out the back stadium doors, it should be less of a production. There’s a chance you get caught on camera, but it won’t be anything like going out the front.”
We know Taylor has alerted a couple of photographers about where they can capture our departure, but Kayla’s not in the circle of secrecy.
“Connor, here are my keys,” Rawley says as he throws them to his brother, sticking with the plan of him meeting us back at my place.
In the meantime, Rawley and I will be photographed leaving together in my car, and even before that?—
“You ready?” Rawley says, extending his hand. Again, all pre-coordinated for the media.
I nod and take his hand in mine.
Warmth infuses into my palm before he turns his hand to thread our fingers together. As I feel him squeeze my hand, heat jolts straight up my arm.
Whoa, that’s unexpected.
It must be the intimacy of this gesture? It’s our first time holding hands. My body’s just adjusting to that contact.
I don’t have any more time to dwell before the doors open and we’re on display.
Rawley whispers faintly, “Smile.” I’m not sure if he’s saying it to himself, me, or both. Either way, I force my lips up and try to think of a way to keep them there.
“I’m getting revenge on that nickname thing,” I tease.
Rawley relaxes a fraction as we start walking to the first section in the parking lot. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
I rack my brain for a proper insult. “Can I call you ‘Blueberry’?”
“Blueberry?” I can see his chest shake with laughter the smallest bit.
“Yeah, like your eyes.” Theyarethat color. And pretty. “You’re the one who started with the food ideas.”
