Page 56 of The Surprise Play (Nolan U Football #3)

WILY

“Satch!” I call her name the second I see her.

Why the hell is she bolting out the door so fast? Where’s she going?

Damn, it’s taken her forever to get ready.

I wanted to wait outside her door like an eager puppy as the girls helped her, but then I got called away to deal with a toilet paper issue, and then someone smashed a bottle on the back lawn, so Zander and I quickly cleaned that up.

Then I came back inside and rushed toward the living room, hoping to wait in the archway and see Satch coming down, but instead I see her running out the front door.

“Satch!” Chasing after her, I jump over the railing and land on the frosty grass, slipping in these stupid shoes before finally reaching her.

“Wait.” I catch her wrist and pull her to a stop before she gets to the sidewalk. “Where are you going?”

Turning her toward me, I stare down at her pretty face and start to worry. Her plush pink lips are curving in the wrong direction, and as she shakes her head and pulls out of my hold, my stomach starts to sink.

She crosses her arms like she’s putting on a suit of armor.

What the fuck is going on?

Trying to play it cool and hide my angst that she’s not loving every second of the party, I keep my voice light and slide my hands into the pockets of my leather jacket.

“I’ve been looking all over for ya.” I let my eyes travel the length of her body. She’s all decked out, and with that jacket and that makeup… damn, she looks so fucking good.

I can’t help a smile forming when I tell her, “You look amazing.” Pulling my hands free, I unhook her arms and hold them wide so I can get the full effect of her outfit.

My smile only gets bigger as I drink her in.

“Seriously. You look so good. As soon as we get back inside, I’ll have to take a picture.

I promised your mom I’d…” My voice trails off.

She swallows, forcing a polite smile, and fuck, it hurts.

She hates the party.

Shit!

I thought she’d be into it, but I played this all wrong.

And now she wants to bail.

Fuck, I can’t let that happen. Not when so many people have gone to so much effort.

But how do I coax her back inside?

“So… what are you doing out here?” I lean down, trying to catch her eye, but she looks past me at the house, her face scrunching into an even deeper frown before she dips her chin .

“Satch, baby, what’s wrong? Do you not like the party?” It’s impossible to hide my disappointment, and her head immediately pops up, her eyes wide with concern and maybe a touch of guilt.

“The party’s amazing.” She grabs my forearm, giving it a squeeze. “I can’t believe you orchestrated all of this. I can’t believe all of your friends went to so much effort for me.”

My insides settle as I skim my knuckle down her cheek. “You deserve it.”

She shakes her head, looking like she doesn’t believe me. “It’s a lot of effort. And money.” She winces.

I want to tell her it’s nothing. Seriously. It’s no big deal. I’ve grown up around lavish parties my whole life, and this would be considered a cheap get-together in my mother’s eyes.

But I don’t want Satch to think she’s not worth more than a cheap party, so I glance over my shoulder at the house and murmur, “It was worth it. For you.” Turning back, I take her hands and give them a little swing.

“But you’re standing out here and not being part of it.

” My insides clench as I ask the question I don’t really want to, because what if her answer means I have to take her away from this?

Licking my bottom lip, I say it anyway. “Why aren’t you in there having fun? ”

Closing her eyes, she lets out a soft sigh.

“I’m not very good in situations like this.

Please don’t get me wrong, I’m so touched that you would do this for me.

I’m just not used to parties the way you are.

” She squirms and tries to let go of my hands, but I hold on, brushing my thumb across her knuckles.

“Satch. ”

“People are looking at me… and I know they think we shouldn’t be together. You’re too good for me, and?—”

“What?” The sweet sentiment I was about to give her gets snatched away by a sharp irritation. “Why are you saying that?”

She sniffs and tugs her hands free with enough force that I have to let her go. Crossing her arms, she hunches her shoulders, and I fucking hate this.

Anger boils hot and fast as an ugly realization dawns. It sharpens my voice, and I end up snapping at her, “Did someone say that to you?”

She shakes her head, shrinking away from me.

Oh, fuck this…

Crouching down, I get in her face and whisper, “Satch, talk to me. Please.”

“I don’t want to make a big deal out it,” she mumbles.

“This is your party, and if someone’s saying nasty shit to you, then they can fuck off ! I will go in there right now and I will drag them out of that house, because?—”

“No!” Her head jolts up, her eyes bulging as she snatches my arm. “I don’t want you to make a big scene or anything. They’ll just cause trouble.”

“They?” I spin to glare at the house. “Who?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter.” I turn to face her again. “Satch, no one should ever be saying mean shit to you, especially when it’s your night. I’m not gonna let anyone screw with it. Now, you tell me who said it and they’re gone .”

Her face bunches into a pained frown. “I don’t want you to do that.

I don’t want a big scene.” Her voice catches, and she starts blinking like she’s fighting tears.

“Please, Wily, can we just forget this? I just…” She lets out a short breath.

“I don’t want everyone talking about it, and then I have to go to class on Monday and they’ll—” Her voice catches, a panicked little sob ripping out of her.

“Okay.” I rub her arm, desperate to ease her stress. “It’s okay. Shhh, baby, it’s okay.”

Tucking her against my chest, I cup the back of her head and hold her close.

I wonder if she can hear how fast my heart is beating.

I’m furious with whoever told her we shouldn’t be together. What the actual fuck!

She sniffs against my leather jacket, her breathing starting to slow. When I lean back, I gently take her arms and lean down so I can see her face again. “What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing.” Her voice is barely more than a whisper.

Pursing my lips, I stand tall and study her. “I’m only gonna agree to that if you come back inside with me. People want to celebrate with you. This is your night.”

She looks doubtful when she flicks her gaze up to mine.

My eyebrows crinkle with concern. Shit. Is she gonna ask me to take her back to her dorm? I really don’t want to do that.

“Please tell me who they are so we can kick them out,” I try again. “I don’t even understand why they’d come if they don’t like you. I mean, what the shit?”

She sighs and murmurs, “They like you and don’t want me taking you off the market.”

My jaw clenches, anger scorching me. It’s an effort not to shout, “That’s not their decision!” Thankfully, I manage to control my tone—because it’s not her fault people are idiots—and grit out, “It’s not up to them. ”

“But I don’t belong here.” She glances at the house, then back down to the ground. “I should just go.”

“Don’t talk bullshit,” I rush out. “You belong with me.”

“I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.” I take her face in my hands, needing to stop this shit. Guiding her face up, I lean close. “You’re mine, Satch.”

Her eyes glass over, her lips trembling as she sucks in a ragged breath. “But I shouldn’t be. I’m the wrong girl. You should be with someone pretty and sporty and cool?—”

I cut her off with a kiss. I don’t know what else to do, but I hate the words coming out of her mouth. How can she think that shit?

She is pretty, and sure, she’s not the sportiest girl I know, but she’s fucking cool! I love being with her. Why is she letting narrow-minded shit-stirrers mess with her head?

I cup the back of her curled hair, deepening the kiss so there can be no doubt on this. But she doesn’t respond with her usual fervor. There’s something hesitant about her kiss, like she’s not sure she should be doing it.

Fuck those people. I wish she’d just tell me who they are so I can go in and deal with them… and then we can get on with our night together.

Pulling away, I hold her close, resting my chin on top of her head as I wrap my arms around her. “I want you. And I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks. We’re great together.”

She steps out of my embrace and looks up at me, tears still glistening in her eyes .

“They don’t know you.” I brush my thumb under her eye. “But I do. I see you, Satch, and I love what I see.”

Her lips tremble into a watery smile, and I lean forward and kiss her again. This time when I try to deepen the kiss, she meets me halfway, stroking her tongue against mine. This time, her arms wrap around my neck.

Lifting her off her feet, I keep the kiss going, hoping everyone in the fucking house can see us, because I’m claiming this woman for all to see.

She is mine, and whoever talked shit into her ear can fuck off.

Or have their faces rubbed in it.

Placing Satch back on her feet, I smirk down at her and waggle my eyebrows.

“What?” She lets out a breathy laugh. “What’s that look for?”

Taking her hand, I thread our fingers together. “I have a challenge for you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Glancing back at the house, I turn and put my arm around her shoulders so we’re facing the party together. “Let’s go back in there and show those doubters that we don’t give a shit what they think.”

Her breath catches, but she wraps her arm around my waist, gripping the side of my leather jacket.

“Let’s kiss and laugh together. Let’s spend the entire party showing everyone in there that you and I are made for each other.” She glances up at me, and I grin down at her. “You up for it?”

Her smile is nervous, cut short when she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip .

I brush my thumb over it, then push my fingers on either side of her mouth, making her smile.

She giggles, and the grin turns genuine.

“Come on, let me take you inside and show everyone how much I love my girlfriend.”

I kiss the top of her head and make a move toward the house.

It’s safe to say my breath is on hold as I wait for her to resist me, but then she takes a step forward, then another.

“That’s my girl.” I smile down at her, pulling her up the stairs and walking back inside.

Fuck whoever said that to her.

I still wish she’d tell me so I could kick their asses, but if she doesn’t want me to cause a scene, then fine.

But I’m gonna make sure this whole fucking party knows that she’s mine—and that’s exactly the way I want it to be.