Beautiful Mess(110)

“You should wear this every day.” His lips grazed her tattoo.

“Really? Somehow I don’t think your hormones would be able to handle that.” She replied quietly.

“Oh, they can handle it,” he murmured, his lips brushing down her neck. “They have a very specific and pleasurable way of handling it, but believe me, they can definitely handle it.”

A shiver raced through Bri as he pulled away.

“Just let me know anytime you’re interested, and I can demonstrate.” He looked her up and down hungrily, like he’d demonstrate right then if he could. Bri’s breath caught and warmth flooded her whole body.

“Alright you two,” Layla cut in. “Your sexual tension is ruining my appetite.”

Completely embarrassed, Bri tore her eyes from Cole and hit Layla on the arm. But she couldn’t get Cole’s hungry look out of her mind.

That night, after performing for halftime, Bri saw Jimmy in the stands and sat down next to him. She’d changed as fast as she could and managed to make it out just before the start of the second half. She glanced around, quickly locating the group of scouts there to watch Cole. She immediately recognized the Blue Devil on one of the scout’s shirts.

“Is that a Duke scout?” she asked Jimmy, amazed.

“Yep,” he smiled proudly. “There are also scouts here from Kansas and Arizona. He’s had some local colleges come watch him before, but these guys are a big deal.”

“Yes, they are. How did the first half go?”

“Good, but I think Cole was waiting for you,” Jimmy winked.

Just then the team emerged from the locker room and began warming up. Cole spotted Bri in the stands and ran up to give her a quick kiss.

“For luck,” he smiled.

“Like you need it,” she blushed back.

“Glad you’re finally here. It took you long enough,” he teased.

“Yeah, well, you’d better make it worth my while.”

“Just you wait! Hey Dad, did you get Bri’s performance?”

“Yep,” Jimmy held up his phone, “got it right here.”

Bri gave Cole a questioning glance.

“What? I miss seeing you dance, so I have my dad record it for me. No big deal,” he shrugged.

Bri beamed at him, overcome by his sweet gesture.

“Hey Marra,” Coach Davies called from the floor. “I don’t know if you remember or not, but we kind of have a game to win here.” Grinning, Cole ran to join his team.

Twenty-four game time minutes later, Cole and the Tigers had demolished the other team and the full to capacity gym erupted. Cole bounded up to Bri for an extra excited victory kiss.

“I have a few people to talk to,” he pulled back. “Will you wait for me?”

Knowing she had a few minutes, Bri nodded. She sat and watched as Cole, Jimmy, and Coach Davies talked with the three scouts. After a final handshake, Cole bounced over to her. And yes, he was actually bouncing. He pulled her into a tight hug.

“Thanks for waiting, Beautiful. Can you believe how crazy this is?” He pulled back to look at her, and his eyes were dancing. Bri had never seen him this happy and excited before. “Hey, the guy from Duke wants to go to dinner tonight and talk. Want to come?”

“Oh, I would love to, but I can’t,” she replied, disappointed. “The Dance Team is going out to dinner tonight. You know, a kind of team building thing before Region tomorrow. I’m sorry,” she pouted. “But will you promise to call me tonight and tell me all about it?”

“Definitely.” He leaned in and kissed her longingly. “Thanks for being here tonight,” he said softly.

“Of course. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I gotta run, but call me later?”

Cole nodded. “Have fun at your dinner.”

“You too,” she smiled.

“Duke!” Cole breathed and ran both hands through his hair. He looked like he’d just won the Super Bowl or something and still couldn’t believe it’d happened. Bri felt herself fall a little harder for him right then. Shaking herself out of it, she forced herself to head out to her car.

Dinner with the team didn’t go as badly as she’d thought it would. Layla had been busy dispelling Natalie’s rumors, and the girls weren’t nearly as hostile. As they were leaving, Bri grabbed Layla and gave her a big hug.

“Thank you,” Bri told her sincerely. “I don’t know what kind of magic you had to work, but I’m very grateful. I love you, you know that?”

“Awww, who knew my Bri was such a softy,” Layla teased and squeezed her back. “I love you too, girl. I’ll always be there for you.”