Page 91 of Kickoff

Her face turned a deep shade of red at my words.

My one-track mind formed dirty images of her lips on me and all the things I yearned to do to her body with my mouth, and heat blossomed through me in addictive waves.

I stood and kicked my legs, killing the tension between my thighs.

I was way over my head in love with the girl next door, and I had no idea how to tell her without scaring her away.

If by Winter Formal, Melinda and I hadn’t officialized our relationship, I would spill my guts to her that night.

Yes, that would be my deadline for everything. I would gather all the courage I needed by then and show her we were perfect together. I had one month left to sweep her off her feet. This was doable. I had to prove to her I had changed and that I was looking for a lasting relationship—with her. I had to solidify our friendship before putting my heart on the line, though.

Melinda would have no other choice than to trust me with her heart and jump in with both feet, without a net to break the fall.

Tension drained away from my back. I had a plan. Something tangible to hang on to.

24

We must file it as a mistake

“Anyone in for the Ferris wheel?” Craig asked after discarding our food wrappers into the nearest trash can.

Melinda finished nibbling on the Caesar salad without dressing or croutons and pushed her plate away. “I’m done.” She only agreed to order a salad after I argued she had to eat something and she counterargued saying she wasn’t allowed fat or carbs on weekends, except on meet days.

“You sure?” my brother asked, eyeing the half-eaten salad like he was still starving.

She nodded. “Yeah. I don’t wanna get sick on the rides. Just thinking about it and I already feel nauseous.”

“Mel is not really a fan of heights,” Paige chimed in, sipping on her soda. “We’ll sit the Ferris wheel out. You guys go ahead.”

“The whole thing about the Ferris wheel is to go with you,” my brother told Paige. “I love my brother, but I don’t wanna ride with him in a pod for ten minutes. I have nothing against his sorry ass, but it is a big fat no. The only person who’s climbing in that thing with me is you.”

“Oh,” Paige said, a blush spreading to her cheeks.

“You guys all go. I’ll grab cotton candy or something while you have your fun,” Melinda said, pointing to the concession stand behind her with a thumb. The whiff of the sugar treat had been tickling my nostrils the entire time we’d been here, but I had eaten enough junk food today without adding the sugary treat to the mix.

“Or…” I neared her and grabbed her hand in mine. “We could ride together. You and I. I promise I’ll keep you safe. The view from the top is to die for. And now that the sun is setting, it will be even more beautiful. It’s a sight you don’t wanna miss.”

She shook her head. “I’m doing just fine on solid ground. Take a picture or something. I’ll look at it later.”

“Not good enough for me. I wanna do this together.”

“Mase.”

“Mel.”

“You protected me when we did that horror movie marathon. It’s my turn to protect you when something scares you. I’ll let you bury your face in my chest if you freak out.”

“Oh, so sweet,” Paige said, cupping her heart with one palm.

Melinda glared at her with a Not helping expression and twisted the ring around her thumb.

“Please. Pretty please. It won’t be as much fun if I have to ride alone. I hate third wheeling with these guys.” I motioned to my brother and Paige with my chin.

“Okay. Fine. You win. Geez, you’re so dramatic. I’ll ride the Ferris wheel with you, Mase. Under one condition.”

“Name it.”

She plastered an expression that said I mean business on her face. “I get a treat afterward.”