Page 66 of The Casualty of Us (Philosophies of the Heart Duet #1)

“You’re kidding me.” She shakes her pom-poms before side-eyeing me doubtfully.

“Your brother is hot, actually a nice guy, loaded beyond even the usual level for our school, and he might have a chance of playing pro one day.” My frown turns into a scowl as she finishes quietly.

“If it was my brother, I’d be making sure any potential girlfriends submitted their résumé to me first, but maybe that’s just me. ”

No. No. She’s definitely got a point there.

I turn my gaze back to Ollie and find him wearing a matching expression to mine at whatever the coach is saying and shaking his head.

Wondering if his fascination with Marley is holding this year after her unintended cousin confession or if he’s interested in someone else. I need to check with him on—

“Hey, Freckles.” The soft rasp at my back has me sucking in a sharp breath, going still as his finger runs over that little strip of skin. “Tell me something.”

Lisette glances back only to lift a brow, shaking her head and returning her gaze to the field as I manage to mutter, “What’s that?”

He drops his head down closer to mine, voice going low as he teases, “What do I get if I make the next touchdown?”

My stomach flips as his thumb dips into the back of my skirt, and I quip back, “Nothing right now considering your level of discretion.”

A deep sigh leaves him, breath rushing over my ear and making my skin heat up everywhere. “Stay the night with me tonight, yeah?”

“Maybe,” I whisper back, trying to discreetly peek at where Bethany is standing a few steps away on my left now and make sure she’s not paying attention. “Go get that touchdown and then ask me again—”

“Flynn!”

Ollie’s shout has my gaze snapping to where he’s striding back onto the field with a number eight right on the middle of his back, pretty much looking like he was made for it, not that I’d ever tell him that.

Hayes lets out another sigh before his fingers leave my skin and he takes off after him.

Giving me such a nice view as he leaves, though.

A number eleven on his back and his bubble butt perfectly filling out his black pants.

“You’re drooling.”

Lisette’s mocking voice has me snapping my mouth shut. “Sorry.”

Fuck. I’m totally staying there tonight.

Touchdown or not…but he doesn’t need to know that yet.

I’ve been trying to be good and have only stayed once or twice a week with him so far.

Not wanting to take advantage of the situation or be inconsiderate to Ollie in all this.

Trying to take things slow considering that we only made things official between us a few weeks ago and we’re trying to keep them discreet at the same time. It’s a lot to balance. To build still.

We haven’t even done anything else yet, but it’s been…perfect, honestly, to a degree that would probably freak me out and have me looking into our chemical makeups if he gave me more time to think about it.

Ollie calls the play a second later, and my heart jumps as they all launch into motion, eyes darting between my boys and trying to keep track of them among the fray.

Tracking as Ollie drops back suddenly and Hayes launches himself into a full-out sprint up the side.

Not even looking back as the ball leaves Ollie’s hand like a rocket and—

Our small away crowd lets loose a cheer as the ball lands in Hayes’s hands, a grin breaking free on my face as he immediately turns and points at me with it.

Hazel eyes all lit up and practically beaming across the field at me until the guys crowd around him a second later, blocking him from my view but leaving me standing there knowing that we’re both about to end this night very happily.

Not only because of the play but also because the snuggles aren’t half bad either.

“You’re smiling and drooling now.”

“Dammit.”

I suck in a sharp breath with the curse, turning my head and immediately stilling when I find Kyler’s eyes on me from where he’s sitting halfway down the bench.

A thoughtful look in them that has my stomach dropping nervously.

He gives me a small smile, and I force my lips up a bit with a quick nod before looking back to the field.

I find Ollie and Hayes making their way back with the rest of the guys now and let out a sigh of relief at the sight of them.

Not wanting to make a big deal out of it but growing increasingly frustrated by the fact he doesn’t seem to be getting the hint.

Like at all.

“O!” I look back at the sound of Marley’s voice to find her pushing through the crowd with Holden at her side. “Picture!”

She holds up her phone, and I catch the hint, my gaze immediately seeking out Mia where she’s planted by the coaches table and waving her over.

“Ollie! Hayes!” Marley motions the guys our way, and I smile as she makes it to me, none of the heaviness from earlier left on her face as she smirks back conspiratorially. “We need a new one for the start of the year.”

I love her for remembering something I never would in that moment, but that’s friendship, isn’t it? Filling in each other’s missing bits with your best ones.

“Come on, baby sister.” Ollie’s arm wraps around my shoulders, and I immediately scrunch my nose up at the smell. “Act like you love me now.”

“Ew!” I push at him. “Ollie! Get off me.” Hayes’s arm wraps around my waist from the other side then, effectively cutting off my attempt at escape and leaving me grumbling. “Hurry up, Marley.”

She giggles at that, passing her phone over to Mia as Holden scoots in on Ollie’s other side and Marley runs for Hayes, my eyes landing on where—

“Lisette! Graham!” Their names leave my mouth without thought, and the guys on either side of me tense. “Come get in the picture!” We stay that way as the other two walk over and I mumble under my breath “Behave.”

Ollie snorts as Graham and Lisette round us out, Mia taking several steps back and holding the phone up before calling out, “Smile!”

And I know before the flash even comes that the grin spreading on my face is one I’ll always want to remember. Happy and safe with my heart on either end.