Page 139 of The Play Maker

I step closer, careful not to crowd her. “When I kissed you the morning after the game, I didn’t do it on a whim, Maisie. I kissed you because I meant it, because I knew what it would mean for us if I did.”

She looks stunned, but I keep going, because fuck it. I’m all in now.

“I’m not just messing around here, Maisie. I know what I want.” My voice softens. “And I want you.”

She blinks hard. Her hand flutters like she doesn’t know what to do with it before she tugs at the end of her sleeve, eyes darting everywhere but my face. “I should go,” she says, voice quiet. “I’ve got studying to do and?—”

“Let me get changed. I’ll walk you back.”

Her gaze lifts again, cautious. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know.” I cup her face gently, letting my thumb brush her cheek. “I want to.”

Her face softens and her lips pull into a cute smile. I can’t help it; I lean in and kiss her. Just a quick kiss, but when I pull back, she’s looking up at me like I just tilted her entire world.

God, she’s cute.

One day I’m going to tattoo those eyes on my body, I swear.

I force myself to back away before I say something dumb, likemarry meordrop out and come on the road with me forever. I’ve officially lost all self-control when it comes to this girl.

I head to the locker room, moving fast. I pull off my gear, hit the showers, get dressed in record time. The guys chirp me the whole way, because of course they do.

“She’s got you whipped already,” Logan says, smirking.

“Don’t care,” I mutter, pulling my hoodie over my head.

And I mean it. I’ve never meant anything more.

By the time I step outside, she’s still there, waiting for me.

Her head lifts as I approach, and her whole face lights up. It hits me square in the chest.

“You ready?” I ask.

She nods and I hold out my hand, threading my fingers through hers.

We walk back to her dorm like that, her hand firmly in mine, and our shoulders brushing every so often. I make sure I’m on the outside of the sidewalk—don’t know when I started doing that, just feels right. It’s cold as fuck, but I barely notice. Everything feels warm with her beside me.

When we finally get to her dorm, she stops and turns to face me. “Thanks for walking me,” she says softly.

“I should be the one thanking you, baby.” I lean in, kissing her again, because I’m already craving the feel of her mouth on mine again. When I pull back, I press my forehead against hers. “It’s rare that I have someone I care about watching my games.”

She scoffs under her breath. “Right. Tell that to the sea of girls with ‘Rhodes’ plastered across their backs.”

I smile, catching her chin gently and tilt her face up to mine. “You didn’t hear me.”

Her brows knit, confused.

“I said someone I care about. Couldn’t care less about the rest of them.” I pause. “You though—” My thumb brushes across her cheekbone. “It was really fucking cool having you out there for me.”

She holds my gaze, her eyes flickering away for a moment before settling back on me. Her lips part slightly, as if she’s about to say something, then closes them again. She swallows, hesitating just a second longer before finally whispering, “Do you… want to come in?”

My heart flatlines for a second.

Do I want to come in?

Hell yes, I want to come in. But?—