Page 53 of The Catch

She gives me a slow kiss on the cheek. It lingers.

I take a deep breath. The simple praise grabs me by the heart and adds a few extra pumps to my system. It's the kiss, of course, but also…

"Stop using my first name," I rasp.

"But I like using it."

I like it as well. Too much. I give her a dubious look because I can't encourage her to use my name if it's going to make me weak for her like this.

I've always preferred people to call me Saint. It's the easiest pronunciation and it goes with my brand. But my name on her lips… fuck.

"I love that I'm the only one who uses it," she adds. "And I feel like I deserve the special treatment, after I put myself through the stress of watching you play."

"Uhm, I played wonderfully, thank you very much. Did you see me score two touchdowns?"

"Uhm, yeah," she mocks. "I also noticed the tackles."

"Oh, Amy. Were you looking very closely?"

Tell me you were watching me closely.

"Don't call me Amy," she complains.

It only makes me want to tease her harder.

I step closer to her. "Amelia. How closely were you looking at me?"

"Very close." She blinks twice. Slowly. "I didn't look at anyone else."

It's a bigger win than getting the team into the playoffs. The need to jump and fist bump the air invigorates my limbs, but I pull back. I give her one of my boy-next-door smiles.

"I like that," I say.

"I was worried about you. Are you okay? That last tackle looked awful."

"Everything is very okay now."

Her phone rings and she takes a step back.

"Yeah?" She retrieves her phone from her pocket.

She gets a half-worried, half-annoyed look, and groans. I steal a glance. It's Aidan.

"I might have a bruise on the left side of my chest," I add. "It hurts a bit at the moment."

And my heart, too, but I don't mention that. I know her attention is half on the call already.

"Sorry," she says. "I just— there are a few questions I've been meaning to ask him."

My stomach drops to the bottom of my belly. It's an icky feeling. I nod.

She scurries to a corner and answers the call. Joy isn't anywhere to be seen, which comforts me. She looks anxious at first, then royally irritated.

I purse my lips and keep track from afar.

"You okay there?" Evie shows up by my side.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I steal a glance at my friend, but return to Ames right away.