Page 55 of The Love Playbook

“I’m aware, and if it isn’t obvious, I’m doing my best to ignore him.”

Brynn laughs as Chris calls my name again. “Charlotte Baker, don’t make me come up there!”

“Collins, what the hell are you doing?” Coach Greene snaps when he notices his wide receiver has gone rogue.

He’s lost his damn mind, that’s what he’s doing.

“Sorry, Coach. Just need a minute here,” he yells back.

Coach releases a string of obscenities directed at him while my cheeks burn. If I don’t acknowledge him, he’ll only make more of a scene, so I lower my hands. “What?” I snap.

“Hi.” He flashes me a goofy grin from where he’s standing in front of the first row of seats and waves, oblivious to the fans in front of him and the people gawking.

“Hi.” I roll my eyes, even though I doubt he can tell from his spot on the field. “Don’t you have a game to play?”

“I do.”

“Then what the hell are you doing?” I shout, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on me. “Go!” I shoo him away with my hands.

The whispers have already started.

Chris nods, taking a step back toward the field where his coach looks like he’s ready to explode. “Better watch,” he says as his smile widens, and he tips his chin at me, “’cause I’m gonna score a touchdown for you.”

My stomach swoops, but I swallow, dismissing him, and the butterflies rising in my stomach with a flick of the hand. “Yeah, yeah. Just go, will you?”

With a wink, he twirls around and faces his coach’s wrath before heading for the huddle.

“Damn. He’s better at this than I thought,” Brynn murmurs beside me.

“Better at what? Drawing attention to himself? I can’t say I’m surprised,” I grumble, cheeks still burning from the attention.

“Um, yeah. Exactly. That’s what I meant.”

My eyes narrow. “You’re acting weird.”

“I’m not acting weird. You’re acting weird.”

I shoot her one last look, then turn back to the field and watch as the game starts.

An hour and a box of concession stand popcorn later, the score is ten-to-seven with the Nittany Lions in the lead when the Griffins’ lineup at the ten-yard line.

Damon calls the play, then waits as the center snaps the ball. He palms the pigskin, taking his time and dancing behind the defensive line as he searches for the pocket.

Out of nowhere, Chris launches to his left, shooting down the field like a rocket, losing his defenseman. Damon rears back and throws a perfect spiral over the end zone, but it’s slightly high.

I watch, holding my breath as Chris launches himself in the air. The ball bobbles in his hands before he brings it into his chest seconds before his body collides with the ground.

The crowd around me erupts at the same time Chris jumps to his feet with the football raised in the air as he points it to where I’m sitting in the stands.

Beside me Elizabeth squeals and squeezes my arm while she bounces in her seat, unable to contain her excitement. “He did it!” she yells, then sighs. “That’s so romantic.” I can practically see her swooning. “Who knew Chris could be so freaking hot?”

Not me.

My heart pounds as I watch him jog down the field, trying to fight the warm and fuzzy feeling growing in my chest.

“I don’t understand,” I mumble, narrowing my eyes on him as he joins his teammates on the sidelines.

“Don’t understand what?” Brynn’s gaze jerks in my direction.