Page 58 of Kickoff

“Thanks. I’m happy you came.” I rocked back and forth on my heels. “It was indeed a great game.”

“You really are talented, son. And so is that brother of yours. Don’t waste your gift by making stupid decisions.”

“I hear you. I won’t.”

“Good.”

I stepped forward when I heard heeled footsteps nearing us. Mr. Shepard moved aside, revealing Melinda wearing a knee-length dress with a flowing cream skirt and gold sequined top. She had curled her dark hair in some complicated updo, a few loose waves framing her face. The sight of her stole every molecule of air from my lungs. She looked like a princess from my fantasies. I wanted to kiss her, tell her how beautiful she looked, but the words were locked in my throat. My lungs seized up. After a few seconds of shaky breaths, a single word passed my lips. “Wow.”

A pink blush crept up her cheeks. “Mase?” The grin she aimed at me made me weak in the knees.

The temperature in the room soared. A prickling sensation spread on my skin, and a flock of butterflies invaded my stomach. We faced each other, our eyes scanning the length of the other, and I felt handsome under Melinda’s slow perusal.

“Hey you,” I greeted her, my smile no doubt reaching both ears. I raked my fingers through my about-to-be-tousled hair and scratched my nape, not knowing what to do with my hands. Since when did I do nervous? I leaned in, erasing the gap between us, and kissed her cheek. Her skin felt softer than usual under my lips. A wave of heat swirled in my lower body. My fingertips connected with the back of her hand, and a shiver worked the length of her spine.

She blinked as if I was an illusion. “I can’t believe you’re here. I thought you said you couldn’t care less about the dance?”

I shrugged one shoulder. “Mel, I would have never let you go alone. I can be a gentleman when the situation calls for it. Don’t forget I’m Nurse Pierce and it’s in my job description to make sure you’re okay. I take my profession very seriously where you’re concerned.”

A low snicker passed her lips. “Huh…thanks. For doing this for me. It means a lot. What would I do without Nurse Pierce, right?”

I mirrored her smile.

“Tell me, though. How did Paige talk you into this? Did she bribe you with cupcakes?”

Paige could get herself out of any situation using her red-velvet delicacies as a secret weapon. “Nah. No need when it comes down to you.” I winked and hoped it didn’t look cocky, but more like we were in on a secret nobody else knew about.

“I’m very happy you’re the one standing here right now.”

Her words reverberated against the walls of my heart, sending a buzz throughout my bloodstream. “I’m very happy too.”

Right now, I wished Melinda could look past my reputation with girls and see me for who I really was.

“Wow, you two look beautiful together,” Mrs. Shepard said as she neared us, breaking the awe we were both basking in. “Move closer to each other. I want pictures of you two.”

We both did as she asked, and standing behind Melinda with my arm wrapped around her waist, we smiled for too many photos. Melinda relaxed against me, and it was the best feeling in the entire world. Her touch felt oddly familiar and ignited flames inside me like nothing ever did before. Done with the photo shoot, Mrs. Shepard handed Melinda’s purse to her with a smile. “Have fun, you two.”

Her husband extended a hand and stared at me while I pushed my palm into his. “Thank you for stepping in, son. Take care of our baby girl.”

“Dad.” Melinda’s cheek turned a darker shade of red.

She looked adorable, all flushed because of her dad’s comment. My lips widened into a blinding smile. “I will. It’s my pleasure. Night, Mr. and Mrs. Shepard.”

I took Melinda’s hand in mine as if I’d done it multiple times in the past and ushered her to my car, parked in my driveway next door. “I’ve got strict instructions from Paige.”

Melinda chuckled at the mention of her best friend, and I was pretty sure she could picture her giving me a step-by-step course of action for tonight. “She and Craig are waiting for us to join them at her house. Ready?”

“Yes.” Melinda still looked shocked by my surprise appearance on her doorstep.

I opened the passenger door for her to get in. After I climbed behind the steering wheel and the engine roared to life, I switched on the warm air through the vents to remove the coolness of the night. With an amused smile, Melinda watched me, a million questions swirling in her eyes.

“What?”

“It just… It feels surreal. You and me going to Homecoming together.”

I grabbed her hand in mine and drew circles with my thumb on the back of hers. “Believe me, it’s super real.”

Silence stretched between us, and I released her hand.