Page 61 of Playing to Win
Pretty sure I need something else.
I don’t stop walking until I’m standing directly in front of the social media team, dying for Ruby to lift her head and acknowledge me before I have to say anything. And like she knows what I’m thinking, she lifts her head, her eyes lighting up and her lips curving into a faint smile when she spots me.
“Hey, Ace.”
There’s no point in mincing words. “Can you talk for a minute?”
Her smile fades, most likely thanks to my serious tone. “Sure.”
I glance at Gwen and Eric. “Alone maybe?”
They share a look, Gwen saying, “Hey, let’s go film some footage,” to Eric as she practically drags him away.
Once they’re gone, I step a little closer to Ruby, breathing in her scent, noting how it immediately seems to settle my rattled thoughts. Or maybe that’s just because I’m standing close to her.
“Tell me what’s going on,” she says, her voice full of concern.
“I’ve had a shit day.”
“Oh.” She tilts her head to the side. “Why is that?”
“I don’t know. I can’t keep it together out on the field. I fumble. I keep throwing the ball away. I threw a fucking interception. More than once.” I shake my head, grimacing. “I’m sucking shit out there and I don’t know why.”
She’s quiet for a moment, absorbing my words, and I send her a worried look, fighting the panic growing inside me. I can’t let one bad day get to me, but I am. I’m panicking and it’s stupid and I don’t know how to stop it.
“Why did you want to talk to me?” she finally asks. “How can I help?”
I stare at her, unsure how to explain it. What can she do to help me calm my wayward thoughts? I run a hand through my hair, cupping the back of my head, and she studies me, her gaze lingering on my biceps for a second too long, her gaze jerking to mine.
“Just…let me look at you for a minute.” I really take her in, liking how the T-shirt fits snug across her chest. “Loving the show of support.”
“Oh.” She glances down at her shirt before returning her gaze to me. “Blair gave me this shirt. It’s kind of small.”
“I think it’s perfect.”
She rolls her eyes. “Because it’s tight across my boobs?”
“That might have something to do with it.” I grin, already feeling better.
Thanks to Ruby.
NINETEEN
RUBY
Aceand I chatted a few more minutes along the sidelines about nothing in particular, never mentioning what happened between us last night. How he gave me an orgasm and I promptly fell asleep after it.
When I woke up hours later with the lamp still on and Ace passed out next to me, I felt guilty. I should’ve done the same thing for him. A hand job, some dry humping…something to pay him back, so to speak.
I tried to sneak out of there without waking him. He looked so cute while he was sleeping, and I turned off the lamp so not to disturb him.
Ugh, he was adorable. I can still envision his face.
He woke up anyway and seemed confused by my leaving early, but I had to. Snuggling close to his hard, warm body is a recipe for eventual disaster.
I’m not trying to get my heart broken here. Meaning I should steer clear. Besides the fact that I absolutely can’t date him, hook up with him, whatever you want to call it.
But I can’t resist him. It’s like he’s fire and I’m drawn to the flames. I need to remember…
