Page 31 of The Way We Touch
“It’s not out of the question.” Logan straightens, and his confidence melts my insides. “I expect Jack will find a place for him.”
Our eyes meet then, and my mind blanks. He’s so tall and handsome, and he’s being really nice to my friend… And the way he looks at me sometimes makes me forget where I am.
Snap out of it, Dylan. I’ve never been like this with a man before.
“I thought you didn’t watch the games.” He gives me a sly grin, like we’re sharing a secret.
“I can make exceptions.” I do my best to be coy.
“Good to know.” He leans his forearms on the fence. “What’s in the bag?”
I blink up at him, stretching like a flower in the sunshine. “I wasn’t sure if you and Garrett had any breakfast. I left before y’all were up this morning.”
“No ghost peppers, I hope.”
“Not today, Fire Eater.” I can’t resist teasing him with Craig’s nickname. “We only make the Dare dish once a week.”
“That’s Lightning to you, and I’ve learned my lesson about touching things without permission. You’re dangerous.” I’m pretty sure he means it as a joke, but we hesitate when our fingers brush as I hand him the bag.
Jack’s whistle tweets again, breaking the spell, and Logan takes a step back, pointing at me as he breaks into a trot. “I still owe you one.”
Heat flushes my cheeks, and I clear my throat so I don’t giggle. I need to grab the reins, because I’m acting as obvious as a high schooler. If I’m not careful, people will start to notice.
Allie nudges me with her elbow, and when I look at her, she’s giving me the side-eye.
Too late.
“I guess we can get back to the restaurant now, Miss Dangerous. I’m sure Craig will be wondering where we are.”
“Let’s go!” I lift my chin, doing my best to dish it right back. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. Coach Bradford seems to have that effect on you.”
Her eyes widen. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She spins away, heading for the parking lot, and I huff a laugh. “I’m sure you don’t.”
I call to Kimmie, waving to the guys before leading her back to my friend’s waiting car.
7
Logan
We keep going until sunset, with only a short break for lunch. I’d forgotten how hot it gets in the deep south in late July, and after running up and down the field all day in the blazing sun, I’m a hot, sweaty mess.
A quick shower and wardrobe change later, and we’re at Cooters & Shooters for dinner. Garrett makes a big show of hugging Thomas, lifting him off the ground while the older man protests.
“You’re going to break my back!” he cries, and I shake my head, taking a long drink of beer while I scan the large dining area—just checking out the place, not looking for Dylan.
“Never!” Garrett growls.
The older man gives us platters of burgers and fries, and I think if I ask where his sister is, Garrett will be onto me. He almost busted me earlier when she and Allie stopped by for a visit.
Seeing her this morning made me so damn happy, it took a minute to get my game face back in place, but the guys were all pretty focused on the kids who were trying out and running plays.
I learned through the day a lot of the boys came from little places all around, some from outside the county limits, to work with Jack Bradford. Some from families with hardly any money, for whom football could be their only hope of going to college, all because of Jack’s reputation.
It’s a reality I know well, even if I never had to confront it myself. From what I know of Garrett and his brothers, football was their ticket to security as well, although they had the advantage of a celebrity dad.
“We’ve got another early day tomorrow.” Garrett slaps my back after we’ve finished eating, as we walk back to the house. “Ready to do it all over again?”