Page 91 of The Surprise Play

“You won’t.” I propel her forward. “I paid the heads groundskeeper and security guards to stay quiet. Bodielent me a key, and as long as we don’t mess up the field, we’re all good.”

“What are we even doing here?” She crosses her arms like she’s cold, and I tuck her under my arm.

“It’s date night, Satch. I’m taking you to my sacred ground.”

She glances up, and I catch the edge of her smile in the dim lighting.

Grinning down at her, I give her shoulder a squeeze and turn her right. We walk down the tunnel, my insides thrumming like they always do. It doesn’t matter if it’s practice or a game, my stomach starts to buzz every time I walk this tunnel.

Popping out onto the moonlit field, I grin up at the empty stands and let out a whoop.

My shout bounces off the opposite wall and echoes back to us.

Satch leans against my side, still tense as a board of wood.

“Seriously, you need to relax.” I rub her arm. “We’re not gonna get in trouble.” Taking her hand, I pull her onto the field and walk her right into the center.

I then spread my arms wide and do a slow spin. “Welcome to my holy place.”

She laughs, watching me turn before looking around us. “It’s impressive. I didn’t realize it was so big. It must be really intimidating when the stands are full of people.”

“I love it.” I inhale a breath of cold night air. “When the crowds are roaring for your team, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

“I can imagine,” she murmurs, and I watch her lips curl into a soft smile.

It’s a full moon tonight, so she’s drenched in this ethereal glow that makes her look like the angel she is.

I brush my knuckle around the curve of her cheek and love the way she glances back at me, all shy smiles and sweet innocence.

How can anyone possibly be mean to her?

How can no guy have ever taken her out before?

That’s insane.

And it irritates me. I probably shouldn’t be annoyed. Lucky me. I got to be her first kiss, the first man to buy her flowers. Shit, I’m her first ever date.

That’s a huge privilege, and I should be celebrating that fact.

But I’m annoyed that no one’s seen her before.

How could they not notice how smart and kind she is?

How pretty her sweet face is?

How hot those plump lips are?

Damn, I want to kiss them again.

But I can’t go launching myself at her.

She deserves a decent date… a little fun. She deserves to get to know me in a new way.

“This is cool.” She smiles at me. “I love that you’re showing me this. Thank you.”

“Thanks for being willing to see it.” I slip the duffel bag off my back and crouch down, unearthing a picnic blanket and the pillows I stuffed in there. The food I bought and prepared earlier is in a bunch of different plastic containers, and I pull them out, placing them on the blanket along with a few camping lanterns Grady let me borrow.

Carson told me I was insane to take some chick out in the middle of winter for a picnic.