Chapter 8

I got up and went to the other bar near the back of the venue. It was less crowded and away from Haven and Keegan.

Was I jealous of Haven? Her beautiful accent and charismatic charm had won Keegan over. Did he love her? Had they been together for a while? The questions were overwhelming. I needed to stop thinking about it. I downed my drink and asked for another. The night had just begun and I already wanted to go home. Seeing him and her together made me cringe. I hated the way it made my heart race and my stomach ache. There was still a part of me that wanted Keeg—

“Hey Squirt! Can I sit?” Keegan asked, pulling up a stool next to me.

I was shocked at first and then confused. He was just caressing Haven and spinning her on the dance floor. I looked at him over my glass, trying to hide behind the cherry stem. I knew he could read me like a book and I didn’t want him to sense my jealousy.

“Um, what happened with you and Haven?” I inquired.

“Me and Haven? We were done dancing I guess. She found a guy to hang out with,” he said, pointing to the dance floor.

I followed his tan arm and saw she was getting friendly with another guy.

“That doesn’t bother you?” I asked.

“Wait. Oh! She is my publicist. Did you think we were together? No, Squirt. As I am entering the draft, my agent wants Haven everywhere that I am to ensure she can spin anything that happens,” he said, nodding in her direction.

“What might happen?” I asked.

He leaned in close and put his lips to my ear, “I might meet a pretty girl and take her home.”

I pulled away. Did my flirting make him think he had an open pass to flirt with me?

“Keegan, I am seeing Tate. We are pretty serious,” I said, pushing myself away from him.

“No worries Brees, I was just teasing,” he said, reaching out his hand. “Dance with me.”

I hesitated. I didn’t want to be in close proximity with him. He stood there with his hand extended, and I resisted as long as I could. He gave me the cutest smile and tilted his head to the side, and eventually I took his hand and let him lead me to the dance floor. I fumbled with my hands for a moment. I wasn’t sure where to put them. He grabbed one of my hands and brought it around his neck. He placed the other on his chest. I felt his hands move around my waist area. This was familiar. I hadn’t been with him like this in years, but I recognized that feeling. As we swayed, I inhaled his cologne. He smelled so good.

“How is school? I saw your team whooped Georgia in the last game,” he said.

“You saw me play?” I asked.

“I have watched every single game since your freshman year Brees,” he said, his eyes staring into mine with a warmness that filled my entire body.

“Wow. I had no idea. That’s really, um, sweet Keegan,” I said.

“I wasn’t trying to be sweet Brees. You are such a natural talent and I’ve always enjoyed watching you. Even if you didn’t want me to, I was cheering you on for every game,” he said, stopping our sway.