Page 21 of Chasing the Dream

“So, you didn’t really care about sports?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Wait a minute. How stupid of me. I know why you came.”

“You do?” She twisted her beer bottle nervously in her hands and adopted an innocent expression.

“You wanted to watch the guys run around in their uniforms, get all hot and sweaty, and then rip off their shirts.”

Only you! “You caught me,” she said lightly, hoping he wouldn’t probe any further.

“I remember that one time after a game when I had some guys over to the house. The quarterback made a pass at you.”

She was somewhat surprised he’d remembered too. “Todd.”

“Right.”

“You pushed him up against the wall and told him to leave me alone.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Why?”

He shifted in his chair and suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Because he was being an ass.”

“He didn’t touch or threaten me. He was just flirting.”

“But you didn’t look like you wanted him to.”

“It wasn’t your job to protect me.”

“I felt like it was.”

“Why?” She searched his eyes, feeling like he might be hiding something.

“Because you were my sister’s friend.”

She nodded, disappointed that it always came back to that.

He pushed his chair back and stood up. “Another beer?”

“Sure.”

“Be right back.”

After he went inside, she took a deep breath. For a minute there, she’d thought he was about to reveal a secret, but then he’d clammed up. Was it possible that he’d had feelings for her too? No. It couldn’t be. Like he’d said, he’d just been looking out for her because she was Maria’s friend. There’d been something in his eyes, though, that hinted at more. Maybe after another beer, she’d discover what that something was…

Chapter 8

Gabe took two more beers out of the fridge and held one to his sweaty forehead. It was only March, so it wasn’t even that hot yet, but having Morgan over at his place alone was making him sweat. He was enjoying her company a little too much and decided that inviting her there might have been a mistake. Plus, the more they reminisced, the greater the chance that he’d slip up and admit he’d been attracted to her back then. He couldn’t allow that to happen.

He inhaled deeply before he went back outside with the beers. She was sitting there with her head back and her eyes closed, like she was soaking up the sun, and he took the opportunity to study her for a few beats.

She’d worn her hair in a low ponytail, but a few tendrils had escaped and were curling around her face. He noticed she’d worn a bit more makeup tonight and wondered if it had been for his benefit. If only he could tell her that she was beautiful without it.

Her hands were clasped over her stomach, and her chest rose and fell, drawing his attention to her breasts. She’d joked about Tina’s big boobs, but he thought Morgan’s average-sized ones looked perfect—through her clothes, at least. He didn’t even want to imagine what she looked like out of them, though later, when he was alone in bed, he’d probably do just that.

Then, as if she’d sensed him staring, her eyes popped open, and he hurriedly handed her a beer.