Page 74 of Don't Fall for the Goalie
Heat crawls into my cheeks.
Because they’re right. That wasn’t fake or forced. For once, I didn’t think about how I sounded or whether I looked stupid or if someone would judge me for it.
I glance at Daltyn.
Until him.
I started laughing freely when I met him.
And not just laughing, but being myself.
The realization hits me strangely hard.
Daltyn’s gaze locks onto mine. And for one quiet moment, the noise around us fades.
His expression softens slightly, as if seeing me happy matters to him.
The thought sends warmth spilling through my chest. Dangerous warmth.
“So,” Connor says loudly, ruining the moment. “Peyton. We need important information.”
“Oh no,” Daltyn mutters.
Connor ignores him. “Tell us what living with Vermont Batman in his murder cabin is like.”
I choke on my drink. “His what?”
Daltyn groans and mutters, “Ignore him.”
Jake points at Daltyn. “Bro lives in the woods like a cryptid.”
Cole nods. “Pretty sure he communicates with raccoons.”
“I do not communicate with raccoons.”
Connor grins. “The raccoons told us otherwise.”
Allie leans toward me conspiratorially. “You should’ve seen him during rookie year. He barely talked.”
Ford snorts. “Barely? He looked physically offended anytime someone spoke to him.”
Daltyn glares at them. “You’re all exaggerating.”
“No, we aren’t,” Cole says.
“He once stared at Connor for three straight minutes instead of answering a question,” Jake tells me.
Connor points at Daltyn dramatically. “I thought he was going to kill me.”
“Still might,” Daltyn mutters.
I laugh again.
And there it is again. Like something inside me is slowly unclenching.
And I realize, these people aren’t watching me carefully, waiting for me to mess up.
They’re just… including me. Like it’s effortless. Like they already decided I belong here.
