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“Don’t tempt me.” His gaze moves above my head, and his lips pull apart into a grin. “We should get going. There’s a lady over there walking her dog, and she keeps side-eyeing us.”
I bite my lip as Cade opens the passenger door for me. The smell of vanilla hits me, and I peer over to find an air freshener hanging in his car below the rearview mirror. Other than a ChapStick in one of the cup holders and his bag in the back seat, the interior is immaculate. Heat blows in my face, so I adjust the vents. It’s been a very long time since I was in the front seat of a car. Dad sold his years ago when he couldn’t drive anymore. Now, I walk to the grocery store and back. Perks of living in a walkable town, I guess.
I feel like a princess when Cade gets in the driver’s seat and reaches over to put his hand on my thigh.
I don’t know what otherworldly being made Cade Farmer, but I’m glad they did.
“Part of me wants to whisk you away, but…”
“Life?”
“Commitments,” he corrects. “Right now, I don’t care if it’s football, classes, or a lunch with my mom, I’d rather be with you.”
A warmth spreads in my chest. “But commitments.”
“But commitments,” he agrees. His eyes spark a little. “However, after those commitments, you’re mine.”
I don’t know how anyone expects me to pay attention in class thinking about Cade’s promise, but I get through the day doing just that. I look for him after exiting every room. I even walk through the cafeteria in between classes, scanning the rowdy football tables for Cade.
While taking notes in class, I write his name in the margins. Something in my head tells me I’m too old for that, but I have my first boy—friend? Yeah, that sounds nice. I’ve come to the conclusion that since I have my first boyfriend, it doesn’t matter what age I am, I can let part of me turn to goo. I’m so sickeningly sweet inside, I might as well be made of liquid candy.
It isn’t until after my last class of the day when I finally see him. I peer up and find Cade waiting at the exit. This time, he’s already smirking, his smoldering brown eyes teasing me whether he realizes it or not. “Come eat with me. A few of us are going to Richie’s before practice.”
“Oh, I don’t have any money,” I stammer out.
“I wouldn’t let you pay if you did, Sunshine.”
My throat suddenly thickens at the idea of eating with a bunch of other football players. What if they don’t like me? What if they tell Cade he can do better?
He walks forward and places his hand on my cheek. “The fact that you look so scared right now is driving me crazy. They’re good guys. And if you feel uncomfortable, we can leave. Promise.”
Nerves claw at my skin. I know it can’t just be me and Cade alone all the time, but I’ve barely gotten used to having him around.
“There are big, thick milkshakes and burgers the size of your head.”
“I’ve been to Richie’s before,” I tell him. “Not in a while, but I’ve been.”
“Then you know it would be a bad idea to pass it up. At the very least, you get fed an amazing meal. If you happen to make some new friends, even better.”
“You won’t leave me out, right?”
He pulls me close, placing a kiss on my temple. “If anything, I’ll be ignoring everyone else.”
The drive to Richie’s takes barely any time at all. When we park, I peer out the windshield, noting the differences. I haven’t been here since I was a kid, so everything looks newer. Fresher.
The sign outside matches the logo from the food delivery app. My dad asks me to order from here occasionally, but it isn’t as often as he used to. He once told me he and my mom came here on a date. Richie’s has been a staple in Warner for over fifty years.
I get out of the car and meet Cade at the front. Immediately, I grab his hand, more for support than any sign of affection. He smiles at me just the same, though, the curve of his mouth is so wide that it reaches his ears.
The bell above the door chimes, and it knocks me out of the staring contest I was having with Cade’s lips. The smell of greasy burgers and fries fills my senses. Overhead, the song fromFootlooseplays, lulling my nerves until Cade leads me to a table.
A big, hulking figure stands. “Charley, nice to formally meet you. I’m West Brooks. This is my girlfriend, Kenna.”
“Hi,” I force out, smiling so hard my eyes start to water in the corners. They both smile politely at me, easing my anxiety some.
“This is Bailey,” Cade says, motioning to the blonde-haired girl sitting next to a taller player with brown hair.
“Hi.” I grin wider when the word comes out steadier than the previous one.