When Stars Collide (Light in the Dark #2) - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,38

at the scent of my pasta meal, and I try not to act like a savage as I dig in, but I’m starving.

Apparently, thinking you’re pregnant burns a lot of calories because I feel like I haven’t eaten anything all day.

We’re quiet for a few minutes as we eat and then he laughs, laying down his fork. “I seriously can’t believe you knew and didn’t say anything.”

“Hey.” I raise my hands in surrender. “Don’t be mad at me, you’re the one that kept it a secret, I was just following your lead.”

He shakes his head. “I feel so stupid for not telling you sooner.”

I shrug and take another bite of my pasta. “It was stupid,” I agree. “But I guess you felt like that’s what was best for you at the time. Now tell me, how’s practice been? Is it brutal? Can I watch? There’s nothing quite like a bunch of sweaty guys piling on top of each other in those tight pants.” I make a grabbing motion with my hands.

Xander chokes on a bite of food and beats at his chest with a closed fist. “Thea,” he says my name in shock.

“What?” I shrug innocently. “I love the game, but you can’t blame me for wanting to look at their butts. I mean, those pants … yes. Just yes.” He gives me a funny look and I raise my hands in a placating gesture. “Don’t worry, I always look at your butt the most.”

He snorts. “I have to say, you never cease to surprise me.”

“Good.” I grin. “It keeps things interesting.”

“That’s for sure,” he agrees and takes a sip of his wine. I finish mine and ask for a water instead of having another glass of wine.

Xander moves the conversation away from butts—such a shame—and I listen intently as he answers my previous questions. He tells me about his practices and how grueling they are, especially with him pulling double duty and still working for his dad. My chest tightens with sympathy. It’s had to be hard juggling all of this. I don’t know why he’s put himself through it. I guess most of us will sacrifice ourselves to please the ones we love. It’s ingrained in our DNA to lessen the burden from others.

“As for you coming to a practice?” He pauses, leaving me at the edge of my seat. “I’ll see what I can do.” And then he winks.

I let out a groan. “You can’t leave me hanging like that. That’s like dangling a piece of chocolate in front of my face and expecting me not to bite.”

Laughter shines in his dark eyes. “I have to okay it with my coach. Sorry.” He tries to look innocent, but he’s far from it.

“Mhm,” I hum, finishing the last of my pasta. “I’m sure you’re real sorry.”

We finish our meal and skip dessert. Xander pays and I balk at the price. But it was a nice meal and I enjoyed myself so I don’t comment. As we leave, he reaches for my hand and I find my body drawn to his side like we’re magnets.

We wait for his truck and I tilt my head toward the sky. The sun has just set and there’s still a smidge of color left in the sky, making it look more like a royal purple than inky blackness.

Xander’s truck is pulled to the front and I find myself wishing it was the motorcycle even though there’s no way I could safely get on it in this dress.

“I wasn’t kidding about getting Prue some treats,” I tell him. “She looked so sad when we left.”

He chuckles. “There’s a pet store down the street. We’ll stop there.”

It doesn’t take us long to reach the store and we pick up a few items—including one really large bone that I know she’ll have a field day with.

Back in the car, Xander grins at me. “I do believe I owe you a celebratory McFlurry.”

“Mmm.” I lick my lips, and his eyes zero in on my tongue. “That sounds good.”

He clears his throat and puts the truck in gear. “Good,” he says, his voice slightly raspy. It’s like he’s seconds away from losing the control he’s trying so hard to maintain. Even though it’s dangerous for us, I secretly love that it doesn’t take much on my part to unravel him.

He pulls into the McDonald’s drive-thru a few minutes later and I bounce in my seat because I’m about to get a McFlurry, and who doesn’t love those? He