want to see that it can be done. I want to see that it’s possible, and succeed at it the way my parents didn’t.”
When our food came, which was another surprise Seth ordered for us, I couldn’t believe how big the portions were. “I hope you brought your appetite,” he said.
“As it turns out, someone gave me a big appetite this morning.” I grinned at him, thinking how he could have kept me in bed, and we could have made love all day. But bringing me out on a date and spending time with me showed me how much he cared about more than just sex with me. As it turned out, sex was the easy part and the rest of the time together was the hard part. But Seth was already proving himself to be more than I ever dreamed of.
We ate and took our time walking around the small town. We went to an antique shop, where everything smelled like mothballs and cloves, and after, we took a walk to the old pier and kissed like no one was watching.
The small town was busy with its day to day, and we fit right in.
“We should head back,” said Seth with a regretful look. “I don’t want to upset Coach or give him a reason to say I told you so.”
“And I don’t want that either. But I wish we could stay.” It was nice to get away with him.
“Me too. I like it here. I guess that’s why I keep coming back. I know it’s silly, but it’s like one of those Norman Rockwell paintings. Everything looks perfect and frozen in time. I guess I always wished for a place like this growing up.”
“Thanks for bringing me and spending the day with me.” I had learned so much about him, and it was like he had literally shown me a secret piece of his world that no one else knew anything about. That made it all the more special.
He was doing a wonderful job of proving himself to me and was off to a great start.
Chapter 14
Seth
The game had me psyched as I made another score, even though I had nearly blown it with Coach the day before.
Not only did Avery and I get back to her house and fall asleep together on her couch while killing time before practice, but when we finally got our asses to practice, we were almost twenty minutes late.
Avery had to run laps as punishment the entire time, while Coach Carr had me run drills, and I had to stay late and run laps as well. Since both of us were late, it couldn’t help but be obvious, but we played it off as if we had never been together, each having our own excuses and vowing not to ever let it happen again.
I doubted Coach was buying it. Especially because every time I scored, I had to look into the stands and see my girl cheering me on.
Despite that, I was going to do my damnedest not to give Coach a reason to think we were trouble together. Or that Avery was somehow going to make me be a terrible player.
Knowing she was in those stands watching me and cheering me on made me want to play better. I had someone to show off for, and that did wonders for my motivation.
I ran the next play, and when the ball was passed to me, I carried it to the try line, dropped the ball, and kicked it into the goal for another three-point score to win the game.
Avery went nuts in the stands, and Abigail, who was sitting with her, was grinning ear to ear. At least one of her friends approved, but still not Clara, who was bound to be suspicious by now if Dillon had told her anything.
The team cheered, and everyone ran over to celebrate. Even Carver and Motor were high-fiving and yelling with excitement.
Coach walked up and patted me on the back. “Good game, son. I see your girlfriend is impressed. Way to score.” He gave me a knowing look and walked away to talk to the other team’s coach.
I had a feeling that the last bit wasn’t about the game, but I wasn’t going to let on. There was no sense for him to worry about what was going on.
I followed the team into the locker room after, and while everyone was cheering my name, Motor and Carver were mumbling under their breaths. “Did you see