Status Updates From Play On (Lewis Creek, #1)

“I love that your eyes crinkle when you smile. I love that you laugh at anything and everything. I love that you love baseball and flowers, and now you love barbeque and fries. I just love you.”
Her lips quirk. “I’m a mess sometimes.”
Doesn’t matter. “You’re a beautiful mess.”

“Her lips twitch into a tiny half-smile. “If you’re crazy, then I’m insane. You make my heart so, so happy, Austin.”

“And I was serious when I told you that you were worth it. There was nothing to think about.” Glancing down at our hands, I rub my thumb across her knuckles. “Marisa, I’m in this. I want you. That’s it. That’s all there is to it.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“I don’t want easy. I want you.”

“I love my daughter,” she whispers. “I love her more than life. But loving Marisa is asking for heartache. Trust me.”
“She’s worth it,” is all I can say, and it’s the honest-to-God truth.”
My heart hurts for her

“She places her hand on my cheek, running her thumb across my skin. Everything inside me melts faster than a snowball in hell. “We all have battles to fight, Austin. Mine are just in my head.”

“She gazes up at me, her lips slightly parted. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“For what?”
“For staying here. For looking at me. Most people—most stop looking.”
💔💔💔

“There’s one from Brett, reminding me that practice starts today. No shit.
One from Eric, telling me they’re on the field. I’m coming.
Another from Jay, asking where the hell I’m at. Calm yourself.

And finally there’s Marisa, asking how my test went. She gets a reply. She’s prettier than the other three.”
LOLL

“Her mouth opens and snaps closed when realization hits her. Her smile returns. And I’m freakin’ goo.”

“I like your voice,” she says. “It’s laid-back. Easy-going. Like you have all the time in the world.” She faces me again. “And your accent’s kind of to die for. But you can pretend I didn’t say that.”
I don’t want to pretend you didn’t say that.”

“No one’s ever looked at me this way before, not even Jamie. It’s killer. And it’s kind of freaking me the hell out because I’d never even seen this girl until a week ago, and she’s got me acting like an idiot.
“What—” I cough to cover the crack in my voice. “What’s that look for?”