Games We Play (Thistle Cove 2)

“Or whoever did it was really good at hiding evidence.” She sits straight. “Oh, one interesting tidbit I found out is that Chief McMichael was a beat cop back then.”

The crowd around us perks up, and we both look up at the field. Finn’s got the ball and pulls his elbow back, launching it down the field, two seconds before getting hit. The ball flies, swirling through the air, and lands perfectly into the receiver’s hands.

“Touchdown!” the announcer shouts and the stands explode with excitement.

In the chaos, I take the chance wrap my hand around Kenley’s. Looking at the board, we’re up by fourteen, and halftime is three minutes away.

“Hey,” I whisper in her ear, “wanna go warm up?”

She smiles, slow and sly, making my stomach twist into knots. “I think no one will notice if we take off for a few minutes.”

We work our way through the stands, heading down to the ground level. We huddle close, as much for heat as anything else. There’s a break in the crowd, and I start toward the underside of the bleachers.

“Kenley!”

She stops and I look around, searching for who called her name. A waving hand lifts above the people milling around. It’s Shannon Hughes.

“Shannon! Hi!” Kenley says, sounding completely thrilled to see the woman. “I saw you up in the crowd.”

“Decided to come out and see a game—they’re looking good. Did you see the arm on that quarterback?”

“He’s pretty impressive,” Kenley says, holding back a grin. She glances over at me. “I don’t think you got a chance to meet Ozzy last night. He’s on the yearbook, too.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say.

She smiles and then says to Kenley, “Oh, I have something for you.”

“You do?”

“After we talked I did a little digging in my old bedroom. I knew I had a box of old things.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a thick envelope. “A few candids that were never used in the yearbook.”

Kenley’s face lights up. “Oh wow, this is perfect! Thank you.”

Few things get my girl excited like an envelope of old pictures.

The buzzer sounds from the field, signaling the end of the first half. Shannon grimaces. “I better run to the restroom before I get stuck in a long line. Good to see you.”

“You too,” Kenley says, waving as she walks off. She flips open the flap on the back of envelope, but I grab it from her. “Hey! I just wanted to look at them.”

“Later,” I say, tucking the envelope into my pocket. “Right now is about maintaining the Ozzy/Kenley tradition of a hot make out session under the bleachers.” I pull her close and appeal to the unconventional side of Kenley, the one we all know lurks just beneath the surface. “You know you like hooking up with your secret boyfriend, right under the feet of every person in this town.”

Her eyes flare and without another word she slips under the bleachers. I follow her in, heart pounding, hands itching, this girl…she may be the end of me.

When we reach our favorite spot, the one with the wide pillar to press against, I tuck my fingers under her jacket and feel her flinch from the cold. The move sparks a rush, and her hands curl around the back of my neck, pulling my face to hers. When her lips brush against mine, I feel a relief that I’ve been holding onto all damn day. When her tongue slips into my mouth, I shudder. I push her back against the wall and press my hips into hers, tasting her exhale from our bodies being so close.

There are a couple other things that excite Kenley Keene other than old pictures and making out just out of other people’s sight. I plan on finding out each and every one.

8

Kenley

The football game afterparty turns into a float building party as kids trickle to Ezra’s house. A new group of parent volunteers sits by the fire pit.

“Good game tonight,” I say to Finn, when he appears fresh from a shower. “That was an amazing throw.”

“Thanks,” he says. “Coach was going to lose it if we let them get any points on the board.”

“He just wants everyone to know how good you are.” I’ve heard the rumors about college scouts being in the stands. Finn is definitely in consideration. His good grades, leadership, and skills make him an excellent candidate for any of the major schools. As excited as I am for him, it also makes me a little sad thinking that in a year we’ll all be separated. I just got him back in my life.