The Romantic Pact (Kings of Football)(14)

“Not really. The last two were tough.”

“I’ll make it easy on you, then.” I sip some water, clear my throat, and ask, “The day I jumped into the pond—”

“Oh, come on, Hazel.”

I laugh out loud, drawing some attention from our fellow passengers. “Did you or did you not see my top come off? Because shortly after my top came off, the boob grab happened, and I know you said you saw nothing, but I’m ninety-nine point nine percent sure that was a lie. So, did you see my boobs that day?”

He slowly nods his head. “Yeah, I saw your boobs.”

“I freaking knew you did. No boy turns that red and claims to have seen nothing. Which is why you didn’t want to get out of the pond right away. Probably took a trip to bone town, right? And then the slip-up of grabbing my boob—it’s because I flashed the goods with an ill-fitting bathing suit top, and instead of being a window-shopper, you wanted to give them a test drive as well. You dirty, dirty boy.”

He laughs, the sound like a bass hitting me directly in the chest. “I was in the prime of hormonal insanity. I probably would have wanted to grab a cow’s udders if it flashed me.”

“That comparison’s . . . disturbing.”

“You know what I mean. I was a horny idiot. I saw your boobs when you jumped into the pond and I wanted to see if they were . . . real.”

“Real?”

“Sure, that makes me sound less creepy.”

“No, the whole thing is creepy. Not only were you my first kiss, but you were my first boob grab as well. I feel like, looking back, I could have done better.”

“Hey.” He laughs.

“At least I lost my virginity to an upstanding citizen. Lasted all of three seconds. I’ve chosen some real winners.”

“Three seconds?” He cringes. “When I lost mine, I lasted at least ten.” He smirks and I laugh.

“Wow, giving me a taste of humility. Why, Crew Smith, have you grown up?”

“Some might say I have.” He tips my chin up. “God, I really have missed you.”

“Damn right you did, so don’t forget it. Your life will always be best with a little bit of Hazel in it.”

“It will be.” He pauses for a second, then asks, “So who did you lose your virginity to?”

“You don’t know him. A guy in town. I was nineteen. Thought it was a good idea at the time. It wasn’t. Boring and I barely had fun. It was almost like something to check off on my life list.” I make a check motion with my hand. “Virginity, gone.”

“Please tell me you’ve had more fun since.”

“A little here and there. Nothing mind-blowing.” Shyly I glance over at him. “Pearl rock your world?”

“I mean, it was good at the time.”

“Good at the time.” I can’t stop the smile from crossing my cheeks. “That’s a nice way of putting it.”

“That’s what I am . . . the nice guy.”

“Probably why you don’t get that much ass in college.”

He laughs. “Yeah, that and my stats.”





“Crew?”

“Yeah?” Crew asks from his reclined position.

We spent the last hour and a half watching Love, Simon together, on separate screens, but we still pressed play at the same time, and then we got ready for bed. The airline provided us with a nifty bedtime kit, as well as pillows and blankets. We both brushed our teeth and then laid down our seats. The pods aren’t a five-star hotel, but they’re much better than sitting up straight and trying to get some sleep.

“Are you nervous about the trip?”

He lifts himself up and rests his arms on the console between us while looking down at me. His eyes have a heavy, sleepy look to them, and he must have run his hand through his hair a few times while getting comfortable, because it’s messy but adorable.

“Yeah, I am.”

“Me too.”

“Why are you nervous?” He lowers his hand and swipes a piece of hair off my forehead.

“I miss him,” I say, my voice growing tight. “I’m scared, and I guess I just hope to find a connection on this trip, the strength I’ve been trying to find for the last couple of months.”

Crew’s brows pull together. “Scared? Why are you scared?”

“The farm is a lot of work, and I’m nervous I’m going to drop the ball. Grandpa Thomas has been helping me with operations, but it’s overwhelming.” A small tear cascades down my face. Crew quickly wipes it away.

“I didn’t know you were feeling that way.”

“Well, how could you?” I say before I can stop myself. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, you should have. I should have been there. I could have helped.”

“How, Crew? If you haven’t noticed, you’re kind of on track to become a professional football player.”

“I would have at least listened.” He pauses and shakes his head in shame. “I should have listened. You needed a friend.”

“I did.” My lips tremble and I hate that I’m getting emotional. “Pops was one of my best friends.”

“Me too,” Crew says. He reaches over and takes my hand in his. “I miss him so fucking much. I honestly didn’t want to go on this trip at first, knowing how it was going to make me feel. Having to revisit all these feelings and figure out how to say goodbye. I’m just grateful I don’t have to do it alone.”