“What was that?” His hooded gaze drops to my mouth, and I can’t help but grin as I open it and show him exactly what he felt.
I swear his pupils dilate, and he lets out a soft growl. “When did you—”
“You and you.Getup!” A foot nudges him off of me—just a bit too hard—grazing my hip.
“Did you justkickus?” I huff at Ev, who’s now looming over us.
He doesn’t answer—just scowls as we scramble to our feet.
“I’ll do worse if you two don’t get off the floor andmove. The bus leaves in…” He checks his watch. “Forty minutes. It’s a thirty-minute drive. Let’s go!”
Ty’s the first to get up. He hauls me with him, wrapping one arm around my waist and extending the other to Ev.
I immediately nuzzle into his side, nose buried in his neck, digging a hand into the back pocket of his jeans. That citrusy, warm smell that’s justhimfills my lungs, and I know I’m not letting more than a foot get between us in the coming days.
Speaking of feet—I grin down at the familiar sight of our Chucks side by side again. His blue ones. My red. Right where they belong.
“Sorry about that,” Ty says, holding out his hand. “Nice to meet you, man. I’m Tyler—”
“King. I know.” Ev shakes his hand before immediately herding us toward the exit, shoving us forward every other step. “You were great last season. Too bad you didn’t bring the trophy home. Wasn’t on you, though. Defensereallyfumbled the last two quarters.”
Ty’s smile stretches even wider. “You a Tigers fan?”
“Sure am. I’m from SSU myself. Played all through college.”
“No shit? What position? Did you go pro?” Ty lifts his hand, and they launch into some weird-as-fuck handshake thing.
I frown and lean across Ty, eyeing Mr. Security now walking on his other side. “Younevertold me that.”
The fucker ignores me and answers Ty instead. “Linebacker and nah, was never good enough for a starting spot. Not like you.” Ev nods, a flash of pride crossing across his features. “But that championship game? Hell of a match. You remember that last-minute interception in the end zone?”
Ty—the love of my life, the man I haven’t seen inmonths—gets overly excited and immediately forgets my existence. “Yeah! I thought we had it in the bag until that moment!”
“Tell me about it.” Ev chuckles—and what the actual fuck, I’veneverheard him chuckle. “But that’s football for you. It always keeps you on your toes.”
“True that.” Ty nods in agreement, grinning as they fist bump again. Weird. “It’s what makes the game so damn exciting.”
I listen—literally like a bystander at a sports bar—while these two go into full ESPN analyst mode, still plastered against Ty’s side as they relive game highlights and missed plays.
They only shut up once we finally pile into the sleek black sedan.
When Ev pulls out of the parking garage, I don’t hesitate—I scoot over and climb right into Ty’s lap. My arms wrap around his neck, hands slipping under the collar of his blue sweatshirt, fingers finding warm skin. Our chests press flush against each other.
Fuck seatbelts. I trust Ev’s driving. I justneedto be with my man.
His arms circle around me in an instant, pulling me as close as he can, and he drops his forehead to mine with a happy, contented sigh and I can justfeelhim relax, muscles loosening up, breathing evening out.
“Hey, Jacie.”
“Hi, babe,” I echo, pressing a much needed kiss on his lips, nudging his nose, making him let out a grumble. His fingers dig into my side. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Me too.Fuck, I missed you. So much.”
He kisses me again—deeper this time, lips lingering. One hand finds my cheek, and he spears his fingers in my hair beneath the hood of my jacket as his lips glide over mine. Soft, slow, and intentional. Tentatively exploring, mapping me out like he’s rediscovering every dip and curve he’s missed, making me fucking shudder.
“I want to see everything you do on tour,” he murmurs when he pulls back a bit, lips moving against mine as he talks. “I want to see how your days go by. Meet everyone, see the band again.”
“You already met Ev,” I respond against his mouth. “Everybody else can wait until I’m done getting reacquainted with you. Which might take a while.”
