Page 27 of Playing to Win
I smile at her, pleased she wants to know. “It was my dad’s favorite name growing up. He played some video game where the main character was Ace and he always loved it. So when my mom finally got pregnant and they found out they were having a boy, he immediately wanted to name me Ace. My mom could see how much it meant to him and that’s how I became baby Ace.”
I don’t bother telling her how my parents struggled for years with infertility. My mom had a lot of miscarriages and went through IVF treatments until finally I was born. They considered me their lucky baby, their only child and completely overindulged me when I was growing up.
But my dad also taught me how to work hard and I channeled all of my energy into football. If I can pay the two of them back in any sort of way for the love and devotion they’ve shown me my entire life, it’ll be by taking care of them financially, if I ever get the chance to play professionally.
It’s the least I could do.
“Baby Ace,” she says, her voice soft. “Were you cute?”
I make a scoffing noise. “Fucking adorable.”
“So modest.”
“That’s me,” I say. “Always playing down my best qualities.”
Ruby laughs and fuck, it’s a pretty sound. “Most of you guys are downright insufferable.”
“When you refer to ‘you guys’, are you meaning us football players?” She nods. “Yet here you are, always hanging out with us.”
“Guess I’m drawn to what I know?” She shrugs. “And I wouldn’t say I’m always hanging out with you.”
“You’re right, and you should. Always hang out with us.” I keep the smile on my face while hers fades a little, her expression turning unsure. I hate seeing that look.
“Yo, Maguire.” We both turn in Derek’s direction. “Your boy here called you his girlfriend.”
TEN
RUBY
What?Is Derek serious right now?
“You did, huh?” I watch Ace’s cheeks turn a little red, as if he’s embarrassed by what Derek just said. How cute is that? Though he’s not the type to ever be embarrassed. Not from what I’ve seen.
Meaning, I can’t think it’s cute, or that he’s charming. Orrrrr that he’s easy to talk to.
This man is off limits. I can’t think about doing anything with him because it puts my job at risk.
And I like my new job. I don’t want to lose it for some dumb jock who’ll eventually disappoint me anyway.
“There was a girl at our table earlier,” he explains to me, his voice low. “She was giving off a really weird vibe. I needed to get rid of her.”
“By claiming me as your girlfriend?” I arch a brow.
He smirks, scratching his jaw with those long fingers of his. “Claiming. I like your word choice.”
“Please.” Nope. No way. I’m not going to let him leave me feeling all sorts of flustered. “You can’t claim anything when it comes to me.”
“Look I’m not even the one who mentioned I had a girlfriend in the first place. Derek did.” He jerks a thumb in his friend’s direction.
“Only because I was trying to save your ass from that weird chick,” Derek says, confirming Ace’s earlier explanation.
Not that I think Ace is a liar, but come on. These guys will say anything to get our sympathy. Or to get us to fall under their spell.
Look at Derek and Natalie. She told me on the drive over to Logan’s that she’s sworn off athletes forever. That they’re all the same and just looking for a good time that lasts exactly one night.
Nat speaks from experience. She’s already hooked up with Derek before and here she is, staring at him with stars in her eyes, her hand resting on his meaty forearm while he says God knows what to her.
Men. They’re kind of the worst. And I’m not what I would consider a manhater either…
