Page 23 of Play For Me

“I’m always good, Coach.”

She just scowls at me, never one to accept my bullshit, before walking over to the rest of the coaching staff.

“CeCe,” the athletic trainer, Devon, says, giving me a big smile. “I wanted to introduce you to Solomon Barnes. He’s going to be your student trainer this semester.”

I pointedly keep my eyes averted. “Sounds good.” I manage a bright, unaffected voice. What I want to say isabsolutely not,but then I’d probably have to explain about the party and kneeing that asshole’s junk, and then Coach would know that our many,manytalks about controlling my temper have yet to sink in.

“Because you’re still recovering from your injury, we wanted to make sure you have all the support you need,” Devon goes on, and my stomach somehow finds a new depth to sink to.

I don’t know why it bothers me so much for the trainer to mention my injury around Solomon. This is literally what he’s going to school for. I chalk it up to not liking to talk about the injury in general. I hate that it always feels like it’s hanging over my head. I wish everyone could just forget about it and let me move on.

Devon is still talking so I force myself to stop the mental whining and focus. “Mr. Barnes is one of the top students in our program,” he’s saying. “We specifically chose him to work with you because we think he can really help you to feel your best on the field.”

I’ve managed to keep my eyes off him for the duration of this painful conversation, but I can’t help looking up now. He’s definitely blushing at Devon’s praise, and something about that has a warm feeling spreading through my chest.

Don’t get all sappy about this guy, CeCe Ransome,I tell myself.Him being adorable and blushing over compliments doesn’t change the fact that he was a dick.

“We’ve assigned him a smaller group,” Devon continues. “So that he’ll have plenty of time to devote to your rehabilitation.”

“I’ve already completed my rehab,” I can’t help but snap as the warmth is replaced by annoyance. I’ve healed. I’m fine.

He smiles in understanding. “Your recovery has been remarkable, CeCe. We just want to make sure you have the support you need to keep that knee strong.”

Again, my eyes are drawn to Solomon. He’s not trying to avoid looking at me anymore. He isn’t wearing his glasses today, and it’s easier to see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes. I’m so distracted by it that it takes me a moment to realize there’s a searching quality to his gaze that has me feeling distinctly uncomfortable.

I need to wrap this up. Now.

“I appreciate that,” I say to the trainer, lying through my teeth. “Whatever we need to do to have a great season.”

Devon smiles, happy that we’re all on the same page. “Great. Then I’ll leave the two of you to get to know each other.”

I think I manage to hide my wince. The very last thing I want to do is get to know him. But I plaster a fake-as-hell smile on my face until Devon walks over to Coach—who gives me one last warning glare for good measure.

Jesus, does she think I’m going to lose my shit on the guy or something? I can be professional when I want to be.

“Cecelia,” Solomon says, and I realize it’s the first time I’ve really heard him speak. At the party he’d been silent, except for that sharpNohe’d directed at Vega. But that had been more bark than speaking. And the memory of his rudeness has me putting my guard firmly in place.

“My knee is fine,” I tell him in a flat voice. “I appreciate that you’re here to help, but I honestly don’t need any extra assistance. I do my rehab exercises every day and ice when I need to. I practice and train with the rest of the team. I don’t need anything else.”

He blinks a few times, clearly taken aback.

“I’m glad to hear you’ve been feeling well,” he says, his voice even, and lower than I was expecting. A little shiver runs downmy back but I manage to keep my expression flat. There’s no way I’m letting him know how much he affects me.

“Yup,” I say. “All good here. So if you don’t mind, I’d like to hit the showers.” I move to do exactly that but stop short when he steps into my path, blocking me.

His eyes widen a bit, like he surprised himself. But he pulls it together pretty quickly. “I know we didn’t get off on the right foot the other night,” he begins, rubbing the back of his neck. He’s not meeting my eye and his expression bleeds discomfort. “I was hoping we could chat for a few minutes, get to know each other a little bit.”

I choose to ignore his mention of the party. I merely give him my bestI don’t give a fuckface and ask, “why?”

He looks startled. “Excuse me?”

“Why?” I press. “Why would we need to get to know each other?”

He shifts, looking even more uncomfortable now. “Well, we’re going to be working pretty closely together.”

I grit my teeth at the reminder. “Like I said, my knee is fine. I doubt you’ll have much to do for me, honestly."

He frowns. “Cecelia, you suffered a torn ACL less than a year ago.”