Page 105 of Playing to Win
“I don’t want to crap all over our big win this weekend, but we’ve had some complaints,” Mattson announces.
“Complaints about what?” I ask, resting my hands on my hips, vaguely annoyed.
Who the hell could complain about us? What have we done? Not a goddamn thing if you ask me.
“An anonymous report came in that some members of the football team were fraternizing with members of our social media team Saturday night at Logan’s.” Coach’s gaze scans all of us surrounding him. “Is that true?”
Dread coats my insides, turning my annoyance into worry just like that. “What exactly are you talking about?”
“There were female members of the social media team sitting with some of you guys at the bar,” Mattson says slowly, his gaze fixed on me. “You were named, Ace. And so were you, Derek.”
“Oh, gimme a break. We were chilling with Maguire and Gwyneth. It was no big deal,” Derek grumbles.
“Ruby Maguire?” Coach asks. “Knox’s little sister?”
I hate that he put it like that. Most of the time I forget she’s Knox’s sister. She’s just Ruby to me.
“You know she’s on our social media team,” Derek reminds Mattson.
“Right.” Mattson scrubs his hand across his jaw. “Well, it’s a big deal to the athletic director. We have an image to uphold and he wants no trouble with the department, especially the football team, while you’re in season. You partying with those girls could look bad, especially after what happened a few years ago.”
“That chick was psycho,” someone else adds, earning a stern glare from Mattson.
“We reserve no judgment here. We don’t know the actual circumstances between them. And you never know what could happen. Alcohol and partying and women—that’s a dangerous combination. Things can get out of hand quickly and next thing you know, you’ve got a woman hellbent on ruining you. None of you can take that risk.”
I can’t imagine Ruby hellbent on ruining me, like Coach says. I think she likes me too damn much to want to fuck with me.
“We’re barely into the season, boys. I need all of you healthy and keeping your dicks out of trouble,” Mattson continues. “From what I understand, the women on the social media team are getting a talking to as well.”
My stomach drops at the idea of Ruby getting in trouble for hanging out with us at the bar on Saturday night. “It was pretty harmless, all of us together at Logan’s.”
“We were just celebrating,” Derek adds.
“I understand, but there’s a clause included on the agreement everyone on the athletic social media teams has to sign. They can’t date an athlete. Meaning our social media gang can’t date any of you assholes.” Mattson jabs a finger in the air.
“Too bad,” Derek drawls. “I was really checking Eric out Saturday night.”
Everyone groans and laughs, with the exception of Mattson. His expression is stone-cold serious. “This isn’t a laughing matter. The university isn’t going to risk any trouble again. We all know and understand that hormones can come into play at any time. But you’re all adults. You can have a professional relationship with the social media team—and that’s as far as you take it. Understood?”
We all nod and grumble yeah, and by the time we’re out on the football field, I’m sick to my stomach.
It’s too late. Ruby and I took it pretty damn far. We’ve had sex—multiple times in one night. All I can think about is her. How am I supposed to keep our relationship strictly professional?
Give me a break. We’re too far gone for that.
I put in a halfhearted performance during practice and thank God we don’t have a game Saturday because I’m worthless.
“Still hungover?” Javier asks me at one point after I throw another bomb.
“Nah. Just…tired.” I shrug, unsure of how to answer.
More like I’m preoccupied. Worried. And still horny. A confusing swarm of emotions and feelings I don’t quite know how to process. It doesn’t help that no one from the social media team shows up during practice. Where the hell are they?
Where the hell is Ruby?
THIRTY-THREE
RUBY
