Chapter 32
Trinity
“Shit,” I hissed as I wrenched myself away from Preston.
“You expecting company?” he asked, his hands squeezing my hips.
He looked unbothered by the fact we were mid-make-out, me shamelessly climbing him like a tree while someone was on the other side of that door.
What if it was my dad?
Oh, no.
“You gotta go.” I pressed my palms to his chest, and he easily dropped me to the counter, allowing me to jump down from the island.
“But we—” he started, but I interrupted.
“We can’t be seen together in this house,” I reminded him in a whisper. “Here.” I crossed the room and unlocked the patio door. “Go out the back.”
“You’re already sneaking me out the back entrance? Cold,” he joked, but obliged because I was in full freak-out mode.
He moved slowly, like he had all the time in the world. “Will you be at the party tomorrow?”
“Party?” I frowned, then squeezed my eyes shut. “Crap. That is tomorrow, isn’t it?”
I had totally forgotten about the twins’ birthday party at my dad’s house. Jodie had sent me the invite earlier this week.
“You’re going?” I asked in surprise.
His eyes softened a bit, like he didn’t really want to answer truthfully. “I’ve been to all of them. He invites the coaches and if any of the guys on the team want to come, they are welcome.”
“Oh.”
Yeah, the answer stung, but I pushed it aside just as another pound vibrated against the door, followed by Landry’s voice.
He glanced at the front door before sliding open the patio door. “I’ll see you there?”
It came out like a question. Like he wanted me to reassure him about what we just did. The line we just crossed going full speed. Caution to the wind. Shockingly, I didn’t regret it. I’d never been kissed like that. It was scary, and crazy, and risky. But I wanted it.
“See you tomorrow,” I confirmed.
He grinned, spinning around to brace his hands on the frame of the door, the movement rippling his forearms. Swoon.
He tilted his chin, signaling me to move closer. “Come here.”
Rolling my eyes, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his for a brief kiss. Tingles danced around my insides, my heart racing as I reluctantly pulled away.
“You need to make those longer.” He winked.
With that, he backed out into the dark, while I slid the door closed, blowing out a relieved breath when it was just me and my guilty conscience.
Attempting to recover from the aftermath of the hottest kiss of my entire life, I rushed across the room and flung open the front door, just in time for Landry to vomit all over my welcome mat.
Dang, Jodie sure did know how to throw a party. I could count four balloon arches in the backyard alone, along with three different inflatable obstacle courses. The birthday cake was five tiers, and the twins wore custom shirts with matching blue bow ties. They were adorable.
I glanced around the yard for the tenth time, trying not to let my eyes linger too long on the man directly across from me, leaning against one of the wide oak trees that shaded the yard.
He was dressed casually today. Jeans and a cotton T.
Somehow that was more attractive than his Nike coach attire.
Preston laughed at something Shaw said, his eyes flickering over to meet mine.
But he didn’t drop his stare. Not until I cleared my throat, turning to act as if I were watching the World War III Nurf battle that was happening a few feet away.
I felt exposed. I felt like I carried a neon sign that read I had my tongue down Coach Rusk’s throat last night.
I needed a drink. Or five.
“Hey. You look young.”
This odd comment came from a tiny voice to my right.
“Thank you?” I laughed a little at the girl who couldn’t be more than six or seven years old.
She assessed me, tossing a hand on her hip.
Another little girl stood beside her, a head shorter but the same eyes. Sisters.
“I’m Kyndall.” The older one offered before she hiked a thumb to the mini version of her. “This is Hazel. She don’t talk.”
I smiled warmly at the girls. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Trinity.”
“Can you do a cartwheel?” Kyndall had a quizzical look about her.
Like she was sizing me up.
“I mean, maybe. It’s been a while.” I shrugged.
Before I could blink, she lunged forward, turning a cartwheel in the grass.
“Tada!” She posed.
Hazel clapped, bouncing on her toes before she performed her own version of a cartwheel.
“Hazel. We talked about this. That’s a round off.” Kyndall smoothed down her skirt. “She’s not in gymnastics yet. But I go once a week.”
“You both did a fabulous job,” I praised.
“Well?” Kyndall waved a hand at the plush grass. “Show us what you got.”
A laugh bubbled from my throat before I toed off my sandals. “Okay. But don’t laugh at me.” I pointed at them both.
Hazel mimicked zipping her lips with her fingers, a grin spreading across her face while Kyndall propped those fists on her hips again.
I sent up a quick prayer that I wouldn’t embarrass myself before I sprang forward, surprisingly landing a decent cartwheel.
“Could use some work,” Kyndall stated before she clapped slowly.
“You’re probably right.” I huffed out, slipping my shoes back on.
“Girls, are you being nice to my friend?” a gruff voice asked.
Goose bumps spread over my skin as I peered over at Preston. He casually crouched down to let the two girls cling to him like a couple of koala bears.
“Uncle P. I’m always nice,” Kyndall defended.
He kissed both girls on the cheek, completely melting my ovaries, before he smiled at me. “I see you’ve met my goddaughters.”
Oh yeah. I’m in big trouble.