Smoke and Wishes (Best Wishes #1)(52)
When I asked him about them earlier, he told me it was a mix of charcoal powder and glitter. I knew traditional football players used eye black to combat the glare of the lights, so the glitter kind of threw me off. He reminded me of an adorable overly excited puppy, fox… whatever. Apparently, Kohl brought him out of that shell. I looked over at him around Sadie.
“I’m really excited, Dante explained it to me, but it was pretty confusing, so I’m hoping this helps me actually understand it.” Blowing into my hands and rubbing them together, I decided it was too cold to not have gloves on. Digging them out of my pocket took some maneuvering with how close we were all seated. They were basic knit gloves, so they cut out the initial sting of the cold air, but my fingers were still chilled.
“Cold?” Cam asked noticing me still rubbing my hands together.
“My hands are freezing even with my gloves,” I responded stuffing my hands between my thighs. Cam reached over and slid his right hand into my lap, where my frozen digits were sandwiched. Long fingers intertwined with mine, the heat they offered seeping into my stiff hands. I purposely ignored the fact his hand was buried between my legs, his wrist almost brushing the center seam of my jeans. He’s just helping you keep warm, I tried to reason with myself. But the idea of him keeping me warm in a more intimate way, especially after imagining him with Nik surged through me. Would they be together with me? The whispered thought reminded me of how hot it was to be with both Logan and Landon. Shaking myself from my inner musings, I smiled up at him.
“Thanks, Cam. Your hand is like a furnace.” I’m not short by any means at my 5’6, but all of the guys were taller than 6’ meaning I was always looking up at them. He softly leaned into me, his arm pressing against mine.
“No problem, doll,” his voice was soft and full of happiness when he looked at me. A small smile curved on his pale face. His glasses winked in the stadium lights, the black frames calling attention to his hazel eyes. Due to the burgundy slouchy beanie he wore, his messy brown hair was splayed out over his forehead brushing the tops of his glasses. Excitement shot through me as he started to rub his thumb over my knuckles, the back of his fingers brushing against my thigh. Looking back towards the field, I feigned nonchalance. Sadie’s elbow nudged me ever so slightly, when I glanced over at her she mouthed, “I told you so.” My face instantly reddened, hope surged in my chest.
Glancing around us, the stands were almost full around the entire stadium. Our side sported the school colors, burgundy and white, while the opposing stands were filled with green, gold, and black. Oregon Supernatural University-Portland was the next closest supe school, which I assumed meant the majority of sporting events would be held against them.
Hudson made his way over right as the game was about to start. I saw him weaving through the remaining stream of students filing into the stands. The looks that the Bitch Crew were sending me made my heart speed up a bit. What if they do drive a wedge between my guys and me? That irrational fear settled into the pit of my stomach as my gaze wandered back to Hudson. His eyebrows furrowed as he approached, seemingly irritated by something. Seeing as he was still far enough away, I looked to Cam.
“Why does he always look so upset when he sees me? Did I do something?” I asked quietly, not believing the niggling thought that he could possibly be jealous since he was dating Brittney. Confused by my abrupt question, Cam looked down to me with an eyebrow raised. Tilting my head in Hudson’s general direction, he caught on to where my mind had wandered. Sighing, he responded.
“He isn’t upset with you, doll, I think he’s just protective of you.” I met his statement with a raised eyebrow, so he continued, “while we don’t know the extent of it, it’s clear to all of us that you’ve been through a lot. Honestly? I think if he could, he would put you in a bubble.” Chuckling, he bumped my shoulder with his. “He’s not great at dealing with his emotions. I’m pretty sure that’s the only reason he’s with Brittney. Because he doesn’t want to consider any alternatives, like that he may have feelings for a certain pretty ‘princess’,” Hudson’s nickname for me was said in a teasing tone. I pulled back from where I had leaned on his shoulder to look up at him again, what the...?
“What feelings?” He smirked down at me with a knowing look, I felt my heart soar, is he saying what I think he is?
“Well, there’s this beautiful blond with the prettiest blue eyes. She’s intelligent, funny, and sweet. She had a different childhood than most supes, but that doesn’t stop her from being powerful, and that upbringing gives her an alternative perspective on the way things are. She’s managed to weave her way into our tight-knit group. Some of the members have just buried their heads in the sand on how they feel, despite it being as clear as day,” I couldn’t breathe once Cam had finished.
No one had ever said anything like that to me. My eyes teared up as my frown turned into a large smile. Pulling my right hand out from between my legs and reaching across my body, I wrapped it around Cam’s shoulder with my hand cupping the back of his neck. The soft material of his beanie and hair teasing my fingers. Nuzzling into the crook of his neck, tension I hadn’t realized I was carrying eased from my shoulders. His pulse thrummed steadily against my temple as I hugged him.
“That’s literally the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you, Cam,” my words were soft, for his ears only. Before pulling away, I turned to kiss his neck, a growl rumbled in his throat as his hand tightened on my thigh. Shaking his head, he cleared his throat before responding.