Free Valentine Vote by Susan Blexrud Page A

she was still a geek inside—the geek entranced with the football player, Eric.
    Really, this obsession was getting old. She had to move on. “Let’s get a pretzel.” Courtney bounded out of her seat and grabbed Helen’s elbow.
    “Already?” Helen brushed off Courtney’s hand. “Let me sit for a while. We can get a pretzel at the half. That way, it’s like a reward.”
    “You need a reward to watch basketball?”
    “I need a reward for braving this weather, and by half-time, I’ll be thinking about bundling up again. The pretzel and a beer will keep my mind off the icicles I’ll have to chip off my nose.”
    “Okay, I get that logic—sort of.” Courtney sat down.
    From the buzzer that signaled the game’s start, the players shot back and forth on the court like racehorses. Maybe they were chilly and had to get their blood pumping, but whatever the reason, the scoreboard could barely keep up with the points … on both sides. Courtney and Helen were out of their seats cheering with the rest of the hyped-up Washington crowd.
    “And who said you can’t get exercise as a spectator?” Helen asked. “My thighs are burning from all the up and down.”
    The two women started making their way to the concessions just before the bell sounded for first half. The Wizards were beating the Orlando Magic by two points.
    Standing in the pretzel line while Helen got the beers, Courtney breathed in the mouth-watering aroma of pretzels, popcorn, and hot dogs, and then she felt a tug on her jean pocket. She turned, and her heart leapt when she looked down into Travis’s brown eyes.
    “Like my grill?” He smiled up at her, displaying new braces.
    He must be here with Eric. Thud. “Very nice, and I like the red and black accents.”
And I wish my stomach would stop churning.
    “They’re my school colors. Cool, huh?”
    She wanted to look around for Eric in the worst way, but she forced her eyes to stay focused on Travis. “I had braces, too, but not until I was in college. You’re smart to get them while you’re young. And they really are cool.”
    “Eric got ’em for me.”
    She heard his hello before she saw him. When she looked up, he smiled warmly. “I didn’t know you were a basketball fan.” He handed a Coke to Travis.
    “Well, I figure I should support the home team.” She smiled back.
    “As a Floridian, I’m surprised you’re not rooting for the Magic.” His eyes grew dark and sexy as he looked at her.
    Courtney’s knees trembled. “No, I’m a Wizard through-and-through.”
    Travis poked her in the ribs. “Move up or somebody’ll butt in line.” He looked back and forth between Eric and Courtney. “You two are gettin’ googly-eyed, and I don’t wanna miss the second half. Can we get a pretzel, please?”
    Eric laughed. “Sure, buddy.”
    Courtney was next in line, but Eric came forward and bought pretzels for her and Helen, as well as for Travis and himself. He handed her the pretzels and then motioned toward the condiment bar, where they squirted mustard into little plastic cups.
    Eric tore off a piece of his pretzel and dunked it in the mustard, leaving a smudge of yellow on his lip when he took a bite. Courtney wanted to lick it off.
    “Look who’s here.” Helen walked up and handed Courtney a beer.
    Courtney ran her tongue over her lips, hoping to give Eric the hint about the glob of mustard. Instead, he simply stared at her lips.
    “Oh, geez, you guys. Just kiss her and get it over with,” Travis said. “The game’s about to start.”
    “You’ve got a …” Courtney reached up and touched Eric’s lip. She swiped the mustard off and then licked her finger.
    Eric grabbed her arm and pulled her close. Her beer sloshed over the rim.
    She looked up into his gorgeous eyes.
    With his lips close to hers, he murmured, “Lady, you’re driving me crazy.”
    Just before their lips met, a flash blinded her, and she realized a photographer had just snapped them. She squinted at his