I Loved You First

Chapter 24: Eloise

NOVEMBER

"Guess there's no washing this hand until after you play, huh?" Will laughs while I finish drawing my number on the back of his hand at the scores table we just set up.

During fourth block, Coach Radler recruited Will and his friends to help us get the gym ready for the jamboree tonight. We have one of these at the beginning of every season. Eight local teams, four quarters, and a few shooting competitions in between and this is Wembley's year to host.

"Did you pick number eleven or did someone just give it to you?"

"I picked it back in middle school. Want to guess why I chose it?" I quirk a brow at him to see just how well he knows me.

Will tilts his head thoughtfully, lips tipping into his confident smirk. "It's your lucky number. Your birthday. You don't think I know you make a wish every time you catch a clock on elevens?"

My heart. It's in a puddle. On the floor.

"I didn't know you noticed," I say, waving a hand over the paint on his.

"I notice everything, Elle. You've even got me doing it now." He chuckles and the thought makes me smile.

"You sure you don't want body paint like Carter?" I tease with a wry smile. Will shakes his head in amusement. "He loves the attention. I just want to sit in the back and watch you play. I hope that doesn't disappoint you."

"As much as I would love to see you shirtless..." I eye him and raise a sassy brow. "You get enough attention with your clothes on."

His lips twitch as he shakes his head and I swear I see a tinge of pink in his cheeks before I focus on filling in the last of my number with a green marker.

His voice softens, turning apologetic. "I really am sorry, Elle. Once Carter accepted those friend requests it got out of hand. Of course they think it was me that added them."

I smile up at him softly, hoping to ease his mind. "Will...I told you, it's fine. It just sucks that any time you're nice to someone they get the wrong idea. Ever thought about being a jerk?" I joke. But really, it wouldn't hurt.

I look proudly at my green and black number 11 on the back of his hand. "There, done!"

He holds his hand up like a stop sign. "I'll just flash this if I run into any of them tonight. Taken, ladies," he says, flashing his trademark grin.

Oh, dear.

I blow out an exasperated breath as alarm flits through my chest. "I didn't even think about that. Every cheerleader in town will be here tonight. Including them." I prop my chin on my hand. "Why does it always seem to be the cheerleaders?"

He shrugs, leaning toward me. "The stereotypical cheerleaders go with football players thing, I guess."

"Yeah. We don't really fit the mold do we? The star football player with some basketball girl?" I say, awkwardly looking down when I realize I might actually have a slight insecurity about this.

He grasps my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting until I meet the sincerity in his eyes. "You're not just some basketball girl. You're my basketball girl. I've always loved that you're so good at what you do. It's seriously impressive. Plus..." His gaze takes on a devilish gleam. "I'm into the sporty thing." He winks with a smile that makes me forget anyone exists but us and I feel my face flush at his flirty compliment.

"Seriously. A girl that can wear a dress like this and school me in HORSE like you just did?" He runs the hem of my dress through his fingers. "You're rare, Elle James."