Watching Scott propose to Becca was amazing! I’m so excited for them, and grateful that Scott wanted to include me in their big moment. Ever since she moved down here a few months ago, I’ve been a little depressed. Nothing is the same without her, but I know it was the right decision for her. She needed to be down here with Scott all the time, not only because of his accident, but because it’s what they needed for their relationship.

We make it back to the suite for the concert, and Becca and I make a beeline for the food and bar. I’m starving, as the last time I ate was in the airport during a layover. We both load up our plates, and grab one of the special drinks they have for New Year’s Eve.

Watching a concert from a suite is a whole new experience for me, and I can’t get over how amazing it all is. All the food and beverages are free! They also have it decorated for the holiday, and have fun party accessories for all of us, as well as a little photo station with props.

As we head to our seats, Becca introduces me to Bridget Soaps, who I’ve heard a lot about from Becca. She is the wife of one of the other players, and is super nice. She welcomed Becca right in, and has been a great support for her down here.

After I take my seat and start eating, I can feel someone watching me. I scan the room until my eyes land on Brian. He’s standing over by the bar with Scott and a few other guys, whom I assume are his teammates. Once we make eye contact, he winks at me and tips his beer back. I give him a little smile and go back to my food. Becca is sitting next to me, and she is still so shocked about Scott’s proposal that she’s almost speechless.

“I can’t believe you kept this from me! How long have you known about it?” she asks between bites.

“Oh, about six weeks or so.”

“Six weeks!” she nearly shouts.

“Yep, Scott called me up and asked if there was any way I could come down. He already had almost everything planned out, and knew that you would want me here. He just said I had to keep it a secret. The hardest part was lying to you about not being able to get the time off.”

“Well, you sold me on the lie,” Becca says.

“Sorry, not sorry,” I laugh.

“I’m not! I loved everything about it!” she exclaims.

I’m laughing at her and how excited she is when Scott and Brian approach us, and take their seats on either side of us.

“What has you girls all giddy?” Scott asks, as he slips his arm around Becca’s shoulders, pulling her closer to him so he can drop a kiss on top of her head.

“Just still excited about everything you pulled off, and that we're freaking engaged! Thank you again for making sure Kinley was here.”

“You’re welcome, baby,” he says as he kisses her.

I turn toward Brian, to give Scott and Becca a little privacy, and nudge him with my shoulder, gaining a grin and wink from him. He brings his hand up and squeezes my shoulder, leaving his arm on the back of my chair, his fingertips running lightly along my neck. Goose bumps instantly break out, and of course, he notices, leaning in closer to me.

“Cold?” he whispers in my ear on a low growl.

“Not quite,” I breathily reply. He has the blood pumping in my body with just the slightest touch. I have no idea how I’m going to fend him off this trip, if this is how he’s going to play things.

We sit there, staring each other down, and he continues to wreak havoc on my body. We are interrupted by the dimming of the house lights. The opening band is being introduced, so we turn our attention to the stage and settle in for the concert.

Everyone in the suite is having a blast. We enjoyed the two opening bands and have been watching Florida Georgia Line now for a few songs. The drinks keep flowing, as does the food. It’s really nice to be able to pop back and grab something, and not have to fight the crowds.

As the time nears midnight, the realization hits me that almost everyone else in this room is paired up with a significant other or date for the night. I wouldn’t say I’m officially Brian’s date, but I also wouldn’t deny it, if asked. I’m curious to see if he tries to kiss me at midnight. As much as I try and push him away, I wouldn’t do it in return for a New Year’s Eve kiss.

We are standing along the front row of seats in the suite. Brian is to my left and Becca and Scott are to my right. Other guys and their wives and girlfriends fill in the remaining area up front. The band ends a song with about thirty seconds to go before midnight. Some special graphics fill the stage, and screens show a huge countdown clock, as we count our way down to the new year.

In my peripheral vision, I can see Becca turn into Scott’s arms, as they prepare to ring in the new year lip-locked. Brian tugs me closer to him, turning me so I’m facing him. He brings up one hand to cradle my cheek, slowly sliding his fingers into my hair, allowing him to tip my head back. He’s looking directly into my eyes, and I can feel it down to my soul.

As the band and everyone in the arena counts down the last few seconds, Brian lowers his lips to mine and captures them, just as the crowd goes wild. Everyone that’s not being kissed starts cheering “Happy New Year,” breaking out into the traditional New Year’s song.

Feeling Brian’s lips on mine for the first time has made my heartbeat go crazy. His lips are soft, yet commanding. He swipes his tongue along the seam of my lips, pulling a gasp from me. He takes advantage and sweeps his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss. I melt further into him, knowing that if he didn’t have his arm around me, my legs would have given out by now. After what feels like a lifetime, Brian breaks the kiss and pulls back, but only far enough so he can rest his forehead against mine.

“Happy New Year, Kinley,” he whispers.

“Happy New Year, Brian,” I whisper back.

He pulls me into a hug, holding tightly on to me. He turns me in his arms, so my back is to his front, and we stay that way as the band starts back up and finishes out their concert.

Once the concert ends, we gather around with Scott, Becca, their families, and a few of the others still in the suite. A few suggestions are thrown out to go grab a late-night bite to eat, but nothing comes of it, as almost everyone just wants to get home and into bed.

On our way back to Brian’s condo, he picks us up some tacos. I can’t hold myself back and start scarfing down a taco in his truck, as soon as we pull out of the parking lot.

“Hey, now, no getting that all over my truck,” he teases.

“Don’t worry, I won’t,” I tease back, just as a clump of meat falls out the back side of my taco. Thankfully, it just drops onto the wrapper I have draped across my lap.

We make it back to his place a few minutes later, and once inside, we eat our food fairly quickly.

“Are you ready to head to bed, or do you want to watch a movie?” Brian asks me, as he gets up to throw away our trash.

“I’m not feeling tired right this minute, but I guarantee that if you start a movie, I will be sound asleep within minutes. I think all it will take for me to sleep is some comfy clothes and a pillow. After flying all morning, and then the excitement of tonight, I’m going to crash hard. I hope you don’t have any early morning plans for me,” I tell him, as a yawn sneaks out.

“I thought you weren’t tired.” He winks at me, having caught the yawn at the end.

“It didn’t hit me until just now. Must be all the adrenaline finally leaving my body.”

“Must be, and I don’t have any plans for tomorrow, so feel free to sleep in as late as you want. Maybe we can get together with Scott and Becca at some point.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll send Becca a text to see what their plans are, and will let you know in the morning what she says.” I stand to head to the guest room, but stop and turn back to Brian. “Thank you again for picking me up and offering up your guest room. I really appreciate it.”

Brian takes the few steps, closing the gap between the two of us. He reaches out his left hand to cup my cheek, his right resting on my hip. “You’re welcome here anytime,” he says tenderly.

I stand still, staring into his eyes. I’m fighting my body’s urge to lift up and kiss him, and can tell it’s taking all his self-control not to drop his lips to mine. I still don’t know why I’m fighting this pull between us so much. The only thing I keep reminding myself is that there is no way we could make something work between us long-term, and I’m not looking for another one-night stand, or for a friend with benefits. I want a stable, committed relationship, and how in the hell would we do that with thousands of miles between us almost all the time?

I finally break our connection, taking a small step back. “Good night, Brian,” I rasp out.

“Good night, Kinley. You know where to find me if you need anything.”

I quickly duck into the guest room, shutting the door behind me. I sink against the door and take a few deep breaths, willing my heart to slow down. After a few deep breaths, I grab my sleep shorts and tank from my bag, and head to the en suite bathroom to get ready for bed. After changing, brushing my teeth, and removing my makeup, I make my way to the bed and crawl in. I usually read before I fall asleep, but as soon as my head hits the pillow, I can no longer keep my eyes open and sleep overtakes my body.