Page 43 of Playing to Win
He played like a champ. They all did. I even overheard the pep talk Mattson gave them as practice was winding down.
“Don’t know what got into you boys today, but let’s keep it up.”
The pointed look Ace sent in my direction left me feeling helpless. I had nothing to do with their improved practice.
Did I?
FOURTEEN
ACE
I am an anxious motherfucker.A bundle of nerves. A finger-tapping, knee-bouncing asshole who’s earning dirty looks from everyone who’s sitting with me every time my knee hits the underside of the table.
“Calm your tits, bro.” This comes from Derek, who’s sitting right next to me in our usual booth. It’s like it’s become a habit, us hanging out together at Logan’s. “You’re so fucking edgy you’re making me nervous.”
And Derek is never nervous. About anything.
It’s nine-thirty and there’s no sign of Ruby yet at Logan’s. I check my phone—wait, scratch that. It’s actuallynine-forty-threeand she’s still not here.
Fuck. She’s ditching me.
If she doesn’t show up tonight, this is it. I’m leaving her alone. I don’t need some girl stringing me along. Even if she’s hot. Even if her skin is kitten soft and her greenish-hazel eyes were eating me up earlier. Even if she’s the reason I play that much better whenever she’s close by.
Not sure if that’s the real reason I started to play better, but it sure felt like it. Our practice Friday was terrible. The game Saturday was a scrambling shitshow and we only pulled out a win by sheer brute force and a little bit of luck. The speech Mattson gave us after the game left me feeling like a failure. His pep talk this morning when he spotted me in the gym did nothing to make me feel better either.
I was out on that field, throwing balls away left and right and getting fucking sacked but then Ruby appeared…
And I started playing better.
Way better.
It’s like a miracle occurred. Or maybe it’s Gwen and Eric bringing the luck, but I doubt that. I could give two shits about them. I mean Eric is nice and he’s a loyal fan. Gwen is scary and I would never want to cross her. I don’t want to show off for the two of them.
For Ruby? All I want to do is impress her.
Guess I didn’t impress her enough though because her pretty ass still isn’t here. And if that isn’t low-key depressing…
“Sorry.” I reach for my beer bottle and try to drain it, only to discover it’s already empty. “I need another one. Where’s the server?”
It’s extra busy tonight, thanks to the half-off promotion. The bar is wall to wall filled with people, including lots of women.
Like a lot.
The majority of them are attractive. A lot of them are making eyes at me from where I sit at our usual booth in the back of the bar, fully expecting me to make eyes at them in return because that’s what I do. I flirt. I put on the good ol’ boy act like Derek calls it and next thing I know, they’re cuddling up close to me and asking if we can get out of there, and of course I oblige them.
Tonight though? I’m not interested in a single one of them.
What the hell is wrong with me? Whywouldn’tthey interest me? I’ve never felt like this before. Women throw themselves at me and I catch them. Take them somewhere dark and quiet and shower them with all the attention they’re searching for. I leave them satisfied and I’m always satisfied too. Until the next one. And the next one.
And the next one after that.
Some might call me a manwhore, and maybe I am, but who am I to turn all those beautiful women away? They’re willing and so am I. We’re consenting adults so where’s the harm in it?
My gaze scans the room, touching on every pretty woman I see. Fuck Ruby Maguire. She’s missing out on a good fuck and she’ll regret not showing up tonight. This was her last shot.
Looks like she blew it.
“That one’s staring at you, bro,” Derek murmurs, blatantly pointing at an attractive brunette with a giant rack. “Look at those titties.”
