Claiming Callie: Part two by Paige Rion Read Free Book Online Page B

silent.
    Did I say something wrong? I hope she doesn ’ t think I ’ m insulti ng him. Let ’ s face it, though, continually reminding myself to act like a love-struck girlfriend around my best friend ’s brother does fall into the weird category.
    Shrugging it off, Callie turns her attention back to the basketball court. After the pre-game warm-up, the players take their positions. Dean ’ s gaze catches hers in the crowd easily because of her position right off the court. For a split second, his eyes holds hers before the game begins and the men scatter into position.
    Callie watches a s the teams fight for domination. After a Pitt player fumbles the ball, Boston College gets it and moves downcourt, but in a flash Dean manages to steal it and dribble in for a layup shot to score the first points of the game. The crowd roars next to her. Students and fans scream, some jump up in their seats, others ring cowbells, and some simply sit and clap. The Panther mascot boogies across the front of the bleachers, doing a wild celebration dance. Before Callie knows what ’ s happening, he is coming towa rd her in his white Pitt jersey. His large, furry head bobbles slightly as he walks, and when he comes to a stop in front of her, he pulls a red rose from behind his back, waves it in the air, and gives it to her with a flourish and a bow. The fans around her chatter, their voices rising excitedly above the noise in the gym.
    Callie ’ s cheeks burn red-hot as she accepts the rose, and the Panther dances away. A bubble of excitement works its way up through her chest. This can ’ t be from Dean.
    Turning to Jinny, she says, “What was that?”
    Jinny takes one look at the rose and grins before turning her attention back to the game. She nods toward the court. “I think that ’ s what it feels like to be the girlfriend of the star player.”
    Callie follows Jinny ’ s line of visi on with wide eyes to where Dean stands, legs bent at the knees, guarding his opponent. His arms unfurl, surrounding the space of the other player, his fingers curled. His expression is fierce, intent. But, as he bumps the player with his hip and wards off a pass, his gaze flickers to her, as if he can sense her eyes on him, and he winks.
    “Oh,” Callie says, then glances back down at the flower.
    It really is from him. Dean gave me a rose.
    Warmth spills into her limbs and her head grows fuzzy. That ’ s so… sweet.
    She lets the gesture sink in and thinks, Maya must be here.
    A couple minutes pass and Callie ’ s still staring at the rose—its delicate petals, the deep-red hue, the way they curl and fold around each other in an intimate embrace. She brings the rose back u p to her nose and inhales the floral perfume. Next to her, Jinny screams, startling Callie from her flower-induced trance.
    “ Oh, come on! ” She throws her hands in the air, then says, “Thank you!”
    Callie looks back out at the court to see what the commotion is about and sees Dean setting up for a free throw behind the foul line.
    “Did you see that jerk? Talk about an arm to the body,” Jinny growls. Callie says nothing. If Jinny is one thing, she ’ s fiercely defensive about her brother when he ’ s competing. And her defensiveness can turn into irritation at the blink of an eye, so Callie typically prefers to stay mute during the game, cheering when appropriate, and agreeing to whatever Jinny says about it.
    Callie nods, then focuses on the game. The Panthers fans q uiet as Dean sets up to take the shot. On the opposite side of the court, the Boston fans taunt and yell, pounding their feet on the bleachers, filling the gym with thunderous sound in an effort to distract him. But the concentration on Dean ’ s face is stea dy. His forehead creases as he glances up at the hoop. The referee passes him the ball and Callie watches in fascination as he wipes the bottom of his shoes with his hands, then dribbles. There ’ s no sign of tension in his mouth or the