Off Limits

Chapter 1

He was cute.

Like, he was more than cute, he was hot.

And he was looking at her.

It was just out of the corner of his eye, to start. But as the game progressed, the subtle glances Became not-at-all subtle looks ; catching her eye and smiling every time she looked back. He was leaning back in his seat; relaxed and perfectly at home. In nothing fancier than a white t-shirt and loose-fitting jeans, his hair a little messy from the late-spring breeze, Katie smiled back at him one last time before turning to her side with an interested look.

"He's cute," she said.

Bec's head whipped up, looking around, following Katie's gaze.

"Blondie?" Bec asked. "Yep. Exactly your type."

"He's been looking at me since halftime," she grinned, biting her lip.

"Wonder if he's gonna do anything about it," Bec laughed.

Cheltenham won, but Katie didn't celebrate with the fans around her. Caden had been off since the 45th minute, so she'd lost interest in the game. She barely cared about football to start with, and she cared even less when her twin brother wasn't on the pitch.

Bec sat glued to her phone, not even realising the game had finished, as the flood of Cheltenham and Plymouth Argyle fans flowed toward the exits. Katie put her feet up on the seat in front of her, waiting for the rush of people to die down, knowing it'd be at least an hour before Caden was allowed to leave and they could start the long drive home.

Bec was Caden's girlfriend, and Katie's best friend, the two of them Caden's main fan club since he'd debuted in League One the year prior. Home games, away games; they always attended. She didn't care for the actual football, but Caden had worked too damn hard not to have people on the sidelines who loved him. And Katie loved her twin brother.

They sat there for what seemed like an age, the steady flow of fans slowing to a trickle. Katie closed her eyes, and began daydreaming about the McDonalds thickshake she was absolutely getting on the way home.

Her phone chimed, and she glanced down at it, reading the text from Caden telling their group chat that he was ready to go. Katie glanced down at the seat that blondie had been sitting in, and frowned to herself when she saw it empty. Bec stood, but followed Katie's gaze, sighing heavily.

"Coward," Bec mused, pulling Katie out of her chair. "Should've taken the shot."

The two of them made their way toward the exit, already knowing exactly where to go, before pausing for a moment. There he was - blondie - talking to a group of fit young guys near one of the concession stands, their animated discussion likely football related as they motioned through plays.

Katie smiled to herself, continuing on with Bec, but at the very last moment... blondie looked up.

Blondie excused himself from the other guys, and began jogging toward her. Bec gasped with excitement, taking Katie's arm and holding her in place so she couldn't escape. Katie could do nothing but stand there, blushing furiously, ready to rip Bec a giant new–

"Hi."

That was all he said as he stood in front of her, his smile forming a dimple in one cheek as he stunned her with the unbelievable blue of his eyes.

"Hi, " she responded, trying her very best to make it look like she wasn't absolutely bricking it.

He almost looked nervous - like he didn't do this often - and it had her jittery as anything. He was cute. He was so cute. Fit, athletic, tall, well-dressed...