Austin clicked his tongue while he started drawing hearts on the five. “He’s just salty because that’s like the third time Gaze has dunked on him. I feel bad for him. He hasn’t had as many years of having Gaze make an absolute fool out of anyone that plays a game with him as I have. It builds character. He’ll get there.”

He added his name and a sweet message to his father. I held the five with one hand and waved my other hand in front of his words to dry them.

I didn’t add to the conversation because my mind kept replaying my house’s front lawn with the rusted appliances on it like a horrible commercial.

Austin caught a towel that was thrown over my head and used it to wipe his face. Then he used the cover of the towel to wipe his eyes. He gave them an expert pirate smear by accident.

He put his hand around my waist and looked deeply into my eyes. “No, really, I just want to make sure you’re okay. You seem sad.”

I stared into his gorgeous eyes and felt my heart thumping in my throat at being this close. This touchy-feely in front of the whole damn world.

But my pride was also on a tightrope. “I keep my room really neat. Like super neat, so you don’t have to worry…” I let my sentence trail off. Maybe he was concerned that what he saw was how I'd live.

He touched his forehead to mine. “Baby, it’s okay. I’m literally just concerned about how you're feeling. Crap, I know having people come over wasn’t something you ever wanted. And then when you moved away, you had your stupid roommate. That’s a kick in the pants.”

I started feeling my eyes well up with tears and my nose getting congested. Austin was going to make me cry with his understanding and empathy.

“Don’t. Oh God, I’ve fucked you up. I’m sorry.” He pulled me next to him for a side hug. His body was warm from playing basketball.

He gestured to one of the guys on the sideline. The guy ripped his shirt off like it was on fire, ready to sub in for Austin.

I pulled back on my emotions and somehow cleared my tears without letting them fall. “Don’t stop playing. I’m good.”

Austin smiled at the good-natured ribbing that Ruffian gave him as he walked toward the back of the lawn with me. When we had distance, he turned and put his hands on my shoulders. Did I ever even have a shot of knowing Austin without having a crush on him? He was so touchy. And brutally hot. My heart never stood a chance.

“Seriously, we can totally go. I know this has been a lot. This morning and everything.” He rubbed my shoulders.