Page 51 of Too Far

He leads me to the now-empty bench and pulls me into his lap. And that’s where I stay for the ride back to the isle—wrapped up in the arms of Decker Crusade.

Chapter 21

Josephine

Sittingonacold,backless metal bleacher instead of beside Kylian leaves me feeling vulnerable and exposed. The crowd around me is too loud and the field is too far away.

I’ve never watched the boys play from anywhere but the sideline. I’ve never experienced a Crusaders football game without Kylian.

I miss his presence: the certainty of him at my side, the way he’d reach over and idly squeeze my thigh or tuck my hair behind one ear without ever losing focus.

But now is not forever. For the moment, I’ll cling to the temporary nature of this arrangement. It’s game day and day three of the feature coverage. Next week at this time, we’ll be counting down the hours until the camera crew clears out and we’re free to live our lives.

Today’s game is only an hour from Lake Chapel. I don’t typically attend away games—it’s rare I’m at home alone, so I savor those quiet moments—but I had no interest in hanging back at the house with cameras rolling twenty-four seven.

Decker was visibility relieved that I didn’t push back when he suggested I tag along today.

We all agreed it was safest for me to sit in the stands where I could blend into the crowd. Here, I’m strategically positioned between Emilia and Jade Taylor.

It was Hunter’s idea, actually. SportsZone didn’t obtain releases for the girls; they’re minors who can’t consent to being photographed for commercial use. It’s so simple, but also genius. My best friend is going to make a badass lawyer someday.

It’s the top of the second quarter, and we’re already leading fourteen to three. This morning, the guys had a long discussion about what has to change since Kendrick is out. There’s less focus on the run game and way more calls for Decker to throw the ball.

My favorite running back is on the bench today. He’s wearing generic Crusaders gear rather than his own jersey. He’s on the injured list, just as Kylian expected.

There’s nothing I can do to fix the situation, but I can support him. Which is exactly what I’m doing tonight.

He may not be wearing number 24, but I am.

Along with Emilia and Jade.

The girls were thrilled when K invited them today. Just like me, they typically only attend home games with their aunt—Kendrick’s Pops rarely has the time off to accompany them—but again, the proximity to Lake Chapel made it feasible.

Satisfaction percolates through me when I look at them. Kendrick trusts me with his sisters. Not only that, but they seem to like spending time with me, too.

The warm contentment chills a little, though, when the game of twenty questions sets in.

“Is K your boyfriend?” Emilia blurts before she shovels a fistful of popcorn into her mouth. She side-eyes me as she chews, clearly expecting a response.

I smooth one hand over my hair. One of the Crusaders bead bracelets on my wrist catches, so I give it a tug to free it.

“Yes,” I finally answer, picking at the loose strand attached to the beads.

As if he knows we’re talking about him, K chooses that moment to turn around and seek us out in the stands.

When his eyes find mine, he breaks out into a grin and tips his chin in that cool guy way.

I grin right back with absolutely no cool at all.

I woke up beside him this morning. We made a big breakfast together. He sent me his customary locker room thirst trap pic before the game, despite not dressing. Yet I’m still so thoroughly affected by his charm and swagger. Even fifty yards away.

“So K’s your boyfriend,” Emilia repeats, “but Jade saw you kissing Kylian when he dropped you off.”

“Millie!” Jade hisses.

I roll my lips.Shit. How the hell do I explain to preteens that yeah, well, he’s my boyfriend, too?

“And Nicky calls you Hot Girl,” Emilia continues before I’ve formulated a response. “Which makes it sound like he like-likes you, too.”