Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“Good.” I turned my attention away from scanning for Tony to smile at Scotty. “Thanks.”
“No, thank you.” Scotty kicked a line of dirt where the patio met the yard. “I suck at this, but… John says you gotta tell people shit while you can. So thanks for everything.”
“No problem.” I risked an awkward hug that, for once, he didn’t dodge. “It’s been a privilege.” As I said the words, I realized how true that was. This time with Scotty might be hard and challenging, but it was also special. Scotty blushed, so I added a tease. “And it’s my big-brother right to meddle.”
“I’m glad you did.” Scotty gave me a one-armed hug before running after Cosmo and John, who were carrying trays with the fixings for s’mores. “Dudes. Who wants to bet how many Elliot can eat?”
“This I want to see.” Sean wandered over to stand near me. Across from us, Denver sat on a bench, deep in conversation with Wren and Rowan. “Want a beer or cider? There are some hidden coolers for the adults.”
“I’m good, thanks.” I kept looking around for Tony, but Sean placed a hand on my arm.
“Listen. I know I’m your captain, and you’ll say that limits our friendship. However, I have to say I’m really happy for you and Tony. You seem content now. You’re a better leader and crew member these days. More focused. And Tony seems happier and more settled too. I’m sorry I didn’t see earlier how good you are for each other.”
“We are,” I agreed before softening my tone. “Thanks. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You were doing your job. Rules and guidelines are there for a reason.”
“Yeah, well, rules aside, I’m happy you guys worked out. Truly.” He offered me a crooked grin. “And current rumor mill about how you got started notwithstanding, thank you both for sparing us the dating-a-coworker conundrum.”
“Hopefully someone else will come along to earn all the town’s gossip soon, and Tony and I will be old news.”
“And the rumor mill can’t do much anyway.” Sean shrugged pragmatically. “You’re both so obviously happy.”
“You think so?”
“Look at Tony over there in his element.” Sean turned to point behind us where Tony was talking with Elliot’s dad and some other parents closer to the Stern’s large farmhouse. “He’s having a great time talking about the game and his team, but he also keeps looking at you. You guys are the real deal.”
“Hope so.”
That uncertain feeling lingered long after Sean wandered away. I stood there in my team hoodie, feeling very much like the nerd with a crush on the quarterback, when Tony walked up behind me. “Finally free.”
“Finally.” I turned to smile at him. “You’re the man of the hour.”
Tony waved a hand dismissively. “That’s Scotty. Your brother has real talent. We’ll have rows of scouts in the stands by the end of the season.”
“Here’s hoping a lot of the kids get scholarship offers, but you’re the one everyone wanted to congratulate, which is kind of cool.”
“It is.” He slung an easy arm around my shoulders, apparently not caring who else might be around. “Maybe this coaching thing will work out.”
“It will. You’ve got a lot of people in your corner. Coach Willard, most of the parent club, your family, Sean, Eric, Jonas, and all the rest of your friends.”
“You’ve got them too. You’re one of us now.” Tony gave me a mock-stern glare before smiling again. “They’re not simply rooting for me. They’re rooting for us. And you personally, and what you’re doing with Scotty. You have a lot of fans.”
“Fans, huh?” My skin heated from the praise, and my brain went so mushy I couldn’t even turn the compliment into a joke.
“Yeah, and I’m your biggest fan.” Tony leaned into brush a fast kiss on my temple.
“Whoa. Think PDA is smart, Coach?”
“No one’s looking, and if they were, all they’d see is us happy over here.” Tony squeezed me closer. “Not like I’m dragging you off to the woods to make out.”
“You could,” I said a little too hopefully.
“I could.” Tony’s tone was thoughtful. “But this right here is pretty perfect.”
“It is.” I breathed his nearness in, trying to absorb how special it was to stand here like this with him. We had such a good thing going, and I had no clue what I’d done to deserve him. Gratitude for this moment washed over me. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Caleb.” Tony gave a fond chuckle, firelight making his dark eyes glow.
“I’m not sure how else to tell you I’m so thankful to have you in my life,” I whispered.
“All you have to do is love me.”
I sucked in a breath. “Say what?”
Surely, I’d misheard him, but he kissed the top of my head. “I love you. I’m not sure how, why, or when, but I do. It crept up on me until now it’s all I can think about sometimes.”