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She couldn’t believe his stamina. After going who knows how many rounds with Caleb the night prior, he was still bouncing on his toes at the outdoor basketball court like he had energy left to burn. Meanwhile, she had to measure her steps with great care to make sure her knees wouldn’t buckle as she walked.
But God, she had never been happier.
Her thighs ached as she adjusted in her seat, trying to get a better view of her boyfriend across the court. As they made eye contact, he smiled brightly at her, three girls on her right squealed loudly.
“Did you see that!? He smiled at me!” One of them boasted excitedly.
“No way! He was totally looking at me!” Another argued.
“Whatever,” the last one said, tossing her hair over her shoulder nonchalantly, evidently regaining her composure. “We all know Caleb likes me.”
She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at their antics, trying to ignore the uncomfortable knot of possessiveness starting to coil in her gut. The girls continued to argue amongst themselves, slowly turning their attention back towards Caleb, who was none the wiser, bouncing the ball idly in front of him as his team talked strategy.
She made an infinitesimal adjustment and winced as her lower back protested the movement.
‘I'm going to kill him,’ she thought, as the memories of last night swirled in her head, she decided his punishment would probably be enjoyable for both of them.
The whistle startled her out of her thoughts as she watched as Caleb moved gracefully across the court, passing and catching the ball easily, like he could do it blindfolded.
She cheered him on along with most of the students in the bleachers, only stopping to subtly glare at the group of girls who were relentlessly trying to get his attention.
Eventually, half time came with the shrill blow of a whistle and Caleb wasted no time jogging to stand in front of his girlfriend.
“Hey! Have some water,” he started, holding an unopened bottle for her to grab. “Your throat must be sore from cheering for me so loudly,” he finished with a teasing grin.
She snatched the bottle from his hand and opened it, holding it out for him instead.
“My throat is just fine, thank you. The rest of me? Not so much,” she added with a playful glare. She caught him hiding a satisfied smirk as he took a large gulp of water.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the three girls whispering amongst themselves. Looks of appraisal shot towards Caleb, and derision pointed at her. He must have asked her a question because when she didn’t answer, he waved a hand in front of her face.
“Still with me?” He questioned, subtly following her line of sight. When she leaned forward to grasp the bottom hem of his tank top to tug him towards her a little, her nail scratched the vein hidden under his navel. An accident of course, but the effect was immediate. His face, already flushed from running up and down the court in such heat, reddened further, and the blush on his cheeks spread to his neck.
With a slight cough to clear his throat, along with another sip of water, he schooled his expression into one she was probably too familiar with: taunting.
“I didn’t take you for the type to get jealous so easily, Pipsqueak. I’m flattered.” His grin was both infuriating and gorgeous, but she wouldn’t let him win that easily.
“Jealous?” She leaned closer despite the ache in her torso, eyes slightly hooded. His own widened slightly, clouding over like he was under a spell. “Jealousy implies wanting something that isn’t yours. You’re already mine, Caleb.”
He swore under his breath and his head fell to rest on her shoulder.
“You’re gonna be the death of me,” he mumbled, but she was too busy glancing at the girls a few seats away from her with a sly smile. “Want me to prove it?” he asked, face pressed into the crook of her neck.
“Prove what?”
“That I’m yours.”
“And how would you do that?” She inquired, leaning back so he could see her face her again. He only moved his arms to rest on either side of her, caging her in. More flashbacks from last night brought a blush to her cheeks.
“I have a few ideas…” he trailed off with a wicked grin. Before she could answer, the whistle blew again and the next thing she knew, he was kissing her. In front of everybody, and yet, she couldn’t bring herself to care.
As he pulled away, he quickly tugged his tank top up and over his head, tossing it to her as he took a few steps back.
“Hang on to that for me, will you?” He grinned, giving her a wink before turning to jog towards his team.
Heat immediately rushed towards her face and she slapped a hand over her mouth to stop the yell threatening to come out.
His back looked absolutely wrecked, long red scratch marks decorated almost every inch, some even looking like they were beginning to bruise. Others looked like she had actually managed to draw blood. And the single bite mark on his right pec didn’t do anything to help her case.
Her head snapped up at the sound of riotous yells coming from his team. They were slapping his shoulders and shaking him teasingly, playfully taking pictures of his marred skin.
She caught Caleb’s eye over his shoulder and he winked at her. She shook her head and rolled her eyes, but couldn’t stop the satisfied smirk that grew when she glanced sideways, raising an eyebrow at the girls who were still glaring daggers at her.
Oh well, play ball.