“Are you sitting there?” I point at the seat behind him.
He glances back at it before replying, “No, I’m meeting someone. Ty told me Everly was coming to the game, so I thought I’d pop over quick and say hi.”
“Oh.” Of course. He and Everly are tight. Then the beginning of that reply sinks in and it dawns on me then what he’s saying. “Oooooh. Right. You’re meeting a girl. Err…a woman. Congratulations!” My voice is way too high and cheery. Some weird feeling takes over my body that I refuse to acknowledge as jealousy.
Congratulations?! If he weren’t watching me with that gorgeous and annoying smirk, I’d be giving myself the world’s biggest head palm.
“Thanks. I mean, it’s just my mom and a few other family members but I’m pretty stoked.”
His mom. If I had been jealous, and I definitely was not, I’d probably feel relief about now.
Luckily, I’m saved from responding because the national anthem begins, and we fall silent with the rest of the crowd. Ash removes his hat, but keeps his chin tucked low. I wonder how many people would freak out right now if they realized Ash Kelly was standing right by them.
“How’ve you been? How’s school and everything?” He steps closer to me and whispers the words.
I can feel the heat of his body and I get another whiff of his cologne. Warm, cedar, with just a hint of spice.
“Good. You?”
“Not been the best month of my life, but it’s looking up.”
I mistakenly glance up and over, directly into his eyes. Can he hear how loud my heart is beating?
“Looks like things with Everly and Grace worked out well.” His gaze briefly flicks over my roommates before concentrating back on me.
“They’re really great. Thanks for that.”
“Happy to help.” He puts his white hat back on and tucks his long hair behind his ears as everyone claps through the end of the national anthem.
“Where are you sitting?” Everly asks him as we take our seats.
“My family is in town, so I got a box.”
Everly’s eyes widen and Ash chuckles. “You want to come up?”
“I mean, can we?” Everly asks with a hopeful smile.
“Sure. If you want. My box is your box.”
“Really?” Everly looks from me to Grace. “Do you guys want to go? The view is incredible up there.”
“Whatever.” Grace already has her purse on her shoulder and her snacks gathered.
What am I going to say except, “Sure.”
The private box is pretty much exactly what I expected. Gabe took me to a Vikings game once and we sat in one that was similar. Better seats, more space, quieter, and free food and drinks.
When the four of us step into the packed suite, Ash is rushed by two tall, pretty young women I assume are his sisters. They take turns hugging him, then Ash introduces us.
“Jess and Leigh, meet my friends Everly, Grace, and Bridget.” Hearing him say my name does funny things to my insides. “These are my sisters.”
Next up, we meet his dad, stepmom, and two younger siblings—Harper, who is five, and Hunter, who is three. Then his mom and two aunts.
Everly, Grace, and I make our excuses so he can catch up with his family.
“I feel like we’re imposing,” Grace says as we take our seats. “It’s like a family reunion in here.”
Everly glances over her shoulder where Ash and his family members are all gathered in a circle still. “Nah. Ash is one of those ‘the more the merrier’ people. He likes having a lot of people around.”
“I’m proud of myself, I made eye contact for the first time since this summer and didn’t want to die of embarrassment.” Grace shoves a large chip covered in cheese and jalapenos into her mouth.
“Why would you want to die of embarrassment?” I ask, sneaking another peek at Ash. He’s got Harper clinging to one side of him and he’s holding Hunter. They’re both wearing little miniature versions of his jersey and it’s just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“It’s only weird if you make it weird,” Everly tells her and then offers a sympathetic smile.
I’m still clueless.
“I had this stupid crush on Ash earlier this year,” Grace starts to explain. “And then this summer we were all over at Leo and Scarlett’s place hanging out…” She squeezes her eyes closed. “And I tried to kiss him.”
I have a physical reaction to her words. Heat courses through me as a visual of the two of them together flashes before me.