Playing to Win

Did that happen to guys?

I turned around and leaned my back against the wall. Jordan slid down my body, never breaking the seal of our lips. My arms and hands roamed over her back, into her hair. I’d never experienced such a passionate kiss.

One second, there, and the next, gone.

Chest heaving, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Man, I wanted to pull her back and kiss her again.

“I should go.”

“Jordan-” I said, but she stopped me.

“I’ll talk to you later. I have to go.”

I fell back against the wall and watched her leave. What the heck just happened? Did I kiss Jordan?

The tingling in my lips and the melody in my heart said yes.

What now?

Hell.

I had no idea, but I needed to play my guitar.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jordan

Holy smokes!

Did that just happen?

Did I just make out with Asher Sloane outside the cafeteria?

I needed some space.

No, I needed my friends.

Me: SOS

I ran into the restroom and waited for a reply. It didn’t take long.

Hannah: What’s up?

Alex: What’s wrong?

Me: I did something stupid.

While I’d been hush-hush about Asher to Natalie and Kelly, I’d told Alex and Hannah everything. They didn’t go to my school and wouldn’t judge no matter what.

Alex: OMG what?!?!

Hannah: Girl, what are you talking about?

I took a deep breath even though neither of them were around to appreciate my anxiety.

Me: I kinda, sorta, maybe kissed Asher.

I closed my eyes and waited for their reactions. It took long enough I imagined them staring at their phones in stunned silence.

And then my phone. Blew. Up.

Alex: You did WHAT?

Hannah: You go, girl! *kiss emoji*

Alex: What about Rule #1?

Hannah: Forget Rule #1. This guy must be HAWT *flames emoji*

Me: Looks aren’t everything. But yes.

Hannah: I need pictures!

Alex: Jordan!

Hannah: Calm down, Alex. This isn’t a bad thing. Jordan hasn’t liked anyone. Ever.

Alex: Yes, I know, Hannah. But he’s her teammate!

Hannah: So what? At least they’re on the same team and not rivals.

Hannah: Wait. How did it happen? Where?

Me: Here at school. Just a few minutes ago. And I think I kissed him first.

Alex: What?!

Hannah: That’s so awesome.

Me: No. It isn’t awesome. Alex is right. He’s my teammate. Kissing him was a mistake.

Neither of them responded for a full thirty seconds.

Hannah: Do you like him?

Did I like him? I hardly knew.

Why did I keep lying to myself? Maybe at first I wanted to hate him, but he’d proven over and over I’d been too quick to judge. I allowed myself to get angry over petty things. I assumed he’d be shallow and self-centered because of his good looks. In reality, he’d defended me. Helped me. Been there for me when I needed someone to hold me while I cried. He didn’t even complain when I soaked his tee shirt with tears and slobber.

Me: Yeah. *sigh*

Hannah: Then you should go for it!

Hannah: And no what if’s!

She knew me too well.

Me: Alex?

Alex: I’m just going to say this. If you really like him, isn’t it worth the risk?

Was Asher worth the risk?

I told my friends I’d talk to them later. I’d texted them in the middle of the school day. I had no idea how they’d gotten out of class or if they had lunch right now, too. But it made me laugh, imaging all three of us huddled in bathroom stalls in three different states. Those were the kind of friends I had, the kind who would lie about having to use the restroom to text a friend in need.

Somehow, I made it through the rest of the day. And without seeing Asher. I ran into Natalie and Kelly, but only in passing. After school, they both had to hurry to practice the same as me.

I dreaded running into Asher, knowing I needed more time to sort out my feelings, but he hadn’t made it out to the parking lot by the time I drove away.

I took my time in the locker room getting ready. We had our first game in a week. I still had a lot to prove to my dad. Kevin Parks produced professional quality athletes from his programs. Scouts came to see his teams play. And while I had no interest in playing for men’s teams in the future, I hoped to catch the eye of some scout who could help me achieve my dreams.

Would spending time with Asher jeopardize all that? Or could the two aspects of my life remain separate? I meant what I said to my friends. I did like Asher. I liked the way I felt when I spent time with him. I loved the butterflies in my stomach when we flirted and how they took flight when we kissed.