“I heard Stratton in the grocery store saying that we weren’t friends,” I murmured. “I need to talk to him, but I’m just not ready for that yet.”
Dermot’s eyes sharpened on me, and he examined my expression before nodding and wrapping an arm around my waist so that I was comfortably leaning into him. He still had yet to say anything, but I could feel a shift in his body language, and while he didn’t seem happy, per se, he seemed more relaxed. Less tense and less sad.
As the match began, I watched with vested interest, the first half seeming to fly by as I cheered on the twins. I honestly felt bad for the university team—they were getting their butts handed to them, but I suppose that was sort of the point of this. Right? It was rainy and muddy, so while the twins were having a blast, they were absolutely covered in mud, and Lincoln’s nose was bleeding from where he had gotten hit.
Not that you could tell—both of them looked thrilled, and I could literally feel myself shiver as Sterling wiped his face of the drizzling rain by lifting up his jersey. A small sound broke in my throat at his perfectly cut abs, and I began imagining just how the twins looked naked. I bet they were perfect, muscular, and huge… I totally needed to know now. What was different about them? Better yet, what wasn’t? I mean, I could tell both of them were massive…
When the match officially hit half, I stood and went to the railing, hoping that at least one of them would come say hi. Sterling jogged over as Lincoln was getting his nose looked at, making me worry, but only until his brother was in front of me.
“He’s fine,” he promised, tugging on a braid as I leaned on the railing, officially eye level with him. “You look adorable, sugar.”
“And you look muddy,” I pointed out.
“You sure you don’t want a hug?”
I squeaked as he smiled and tugged me forward, burying his head against my neck as he smeared mud all over me, making me let out a legit giggle. As he pulled back, I couldn’t help but run my hands through his hair.
“Don’t be so selfish with her!” Lincoln’s voice had me looking over Sterling’s shoulder as the man in question made his way over. Sterling said something to Dermot behind me, but I was already touching Lincoln’s face, frowning at his nose.
“You look so worried,” he teased, his normal more serious and reserved attitude clearly amped up from the game.
“WellnowI’m not.” I tapped the top of his head.
Before he could say anything, there was a call from back on the pitch, causing me to look away for a moment. That was all it took for Lincoln to take me off guard by tugging my jaw back and pressing a kiss to my lips before winking and jogging away. I stood frozen in surprise until Sterling scowled.
“Why didheget a kiss of good luck?” he growled.
My mouth opened as I offered him a stunned look, becauseholy moly, we were in public! Sterling chuckled and tugged me forward, pressing his lips to mine before he left as well, leaving me in a state of shock. My cheeks turned bright pink as I sank back down into the bleachers, voices from behind us no doubt making note of whatever that was.
Oh man, that would probably end up in some media…
“So that’s how it is, huh?” Dermot asked, looking authentically amused.
I tilted my head. “I have no idea what the heck just happened.”
“You don’t normally kiss?” He flashed a smile, as if he was loving teasing me.
“I mean…” I stuttered, “It’s more that we are in public…”
Before he could say anything, his phone began buzzing, and a weird sense of apprehension rolled over my skin. He picked it up, and immediately his eyes darted towards me.
“Yeah, she’s here,” he said lazily, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
I could hear King’s voice, and he sounded worked up.
“Doesn’t have her phone on her.” Dermot frowned, squeezing my hand. “She’s fine, King. I promise you. She just needed to get out of Wildberry for a bit.”
There was another pause before he sighed and offered me the phone.
“Princess,” King’s voice was a low growl.
“Good afternoon to you, too,” I chimed, trying to act like he wasn’t probably losing his mind. I could hear Yates griping in the background.
“Why did you go to the game today? It’s raining,” he demanded. “And you didn’t bring your phone.”
“I was always planning on going, I wouldn’t miss their game,” I pointed out before sighing. “Plus, I just needed a breather, and this is the perfect place for it.”
King seemed to consider something. “Is that why Stratton has been blowing up my phone asking where you are?” Reality hit me hard as everything I’d been avoiding flooded back. Perfect.