Gifted Connections 3

He pulled away just as suddenly as he started. He lowered his mouth to my ear. His breathing was just as ragged as my own. “After this morning, I didn’t think you would ever have to doubt you’re the only girl for me.”

I reached up and cupped his cheeks. “I know. I just noticed how the woman ogle you. Especially when you’re half naked.” I ran my hand down his chest. “I’m lucky to call you mine.”

He gave me a crooked smile and another swift kiss.

“Come on, you two,” Noah groaned aloud.

I looked up and was somewhat satisfied to see Adams glaring at me as we headed towards the training gym. She had been very close to being kicked out of the program due to her behavior during the camping exercise. I was pretty certain she knew people because they didn’t hesitate to kick out the other team lead.

He had shown his true colors, and we couldn’t trust people with his integrity. Especially in the field.

Sitting in the stands with Noah at my feet, and Drake and Troy on either side of me, I almost forgot that we were living in a facility housed in the middle of a mountain. This had to be the best Thanksgiving I ever had. Normally, the holidays left me feeling dread and joyless. I tried to make the best of all holidays for Ella, but Heidi had made it difficult.

I never got to watch the Macy’s Day Parade, eat traditional Thanksgiving meals, and my dad wasn’t into football like he was into baseball. Watching Jace, Remy, and Jaxson play football was captivating. I knew in that moment I was attracted to athletically inclined men. I liked watching their athleticism and watching them sweat.

Because some of the high school boys were playing with the men, they had decided to play two-hand touch, but it still was an intense game. Most of the teens and men were playing like they had money on the line.

I was happy to see Kade finally relaxed. He came alive on the field and was naturally talented. He even became one of Jaxson’s go to ‘men.’

“Do you think I can learn how to play?” Alex asked from beside Troy.

“Sure, buddy,” Troy said. “I’m sure we can get you a smaller ball to start practicing on, but I suggest you ask Jaxson, Remy, or Jace to teach you,” Troy joked.

“Maybe I want to do Kung Fu,” Alex said as he leaned into Troy’s arm.

“Then I’m the man for that,” Troy laughed. “If you want to swim, Drake is the man. If you want to dance, Noah, is well, he’s the person.”

“Dancing is for girls,” Alex scrunched up his nose.

Drake and Troy burst out with laughter, and I couldn’t hide my grin. Noah turned with a mock look of outrage. “Hey, I’ll have you know men dance, too! Learn to dance my man and you’ll never be without a date.”

Alex screwed up his face some more. “Eww, no. I think Micah and Patrick like-like Victoria, but girls are…annoying.”

“Not all of them are,” Noah said smoothly as he gave me a wink. “Blake isn’t. One day you’ll meet a girl, and you’re going to want to learn how to dance to impress her.”

“No way!” Alex insisted. “So, when can you guys teach me?”

Troy chuckled. “I can start teaching you tomorrow, and we’ll ask the other guys about football.”

“Okay,” Alex said excitedly.

I smiled at Troy before kissing his cheek. “Thanks,” I murmured.

“For what?” he asked with a smile before looking over at me.

“For being you,” I stated. It warmed my heart to see how good they were with my siblings. It took a special man to ‘father’

a child that wasn’t their own.

He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. “Anytime, sweetheart.”

“Go, Kade!” Noah sat up on his seat and yelled loudly.

Kade was weaving in and out of the men towards the end zone. I started yelling with the rest of the group. Ella and Nadia even paused from their coloring and drawing to start yelling for him. When he ran it into the end zone we all went crazy.

Kade pushed one lock of dark hair out of his face and gave us a warm smile. I thought for a split second I saw a look of sadness cross his face, but it was quickly replaced by a look of triumph.

Chapter 19