Page 64 of Playing to Win
“Everyone knows about it. They try and recruit members like they’re a fucking sorority! It’s madness.” Natalie starts laughing, shaking her head. “You have to meet with him.”
“Not tonight,” I say firmly, making her frown. “What? I can’t run to him every time he asks me to. He’ll think I’m easy.”
He probably already thinks I’m easy. He had his fingers inside me last night.
I’m the epitome of easy.
“Oh yeah. That reminds me. Your date rules.” She watches me carefully, like I’m a puzzle she’s trying to figure out. “Were you for real about that?”
“About what? The five-date rule?”
“Yeah. Because if you ask me, that’s some straight-up trash.”
“Why do you say that?”
“First of all, if a girl gets with a guy immediately after meeting him, does that make her a slut?”
“No, of course not.”
“Well then, why do you have that stupid rule with the stipulations and the minimum of five dates?”
“I was trying to prove a point to Ace that I’m not the type of girl who gives it up during the first date.” I cover my face with my hands, irritated with myself. “Instead, I took him home after our non-date and let him finger me until I came all over his hand.”
“Ooh, Ruby! That’s a juicy detail you didn’t originally share!” Natalie’s so excited she leaps off the couch and starts pacing. “I think you might’ve hypnotized him.”
“How?” I drop my hands to stare at her. She’s talking nonsense.
“With your magical hoo-ha, of course.” Natalie waves a hand in said hoo-ha’s direction. “He’s had a tiny taste and now he’s hooked.”
“He didn’t taste it,” I admit softly.
She rolls her eyes, stopping directly in front of me. “Well, he stroked it and now he’s eager to get back to it. Proving your dating rules are nothing but bullshit.”
“He only wants to talk to me so we can hook up again.”
“And that’s a big deal because these guys on the team, they don’t really hook up with someone twice. Trust me, I’ve tried,” she retorts.
“With Derek?” I wince.
“Um, yes. I’ve thrown myself at that asshole and he still won’t touch me. Claims he just wants to be friends.” She huffs out a breath, crossing her arms. “Who wants to be ‘just friends’ this day and age? You’re either fucking or you’re not.”
“Natalie…”
“I’m serious.” She settles on the edge of the coffee table, directly in front of me. “Go meet with Ace tonight and find out what he wants from you.”
I slowly shake my head. “I’m not meeting him tonight. I’ll do it tomorrow.”
Natalie doesn’t respond. Just stares into my eyes for at least five seconds, maybe longer. I start to squirm, but I don’t look away until she finally breaks out into a smile, slowly nodding her head. “I’m so proud of you. Yes, that’s perfect. Make him suffer.”
My shoulders sag with exhaustion. “You are so confusing.”
“I was seeing if you’d change your mind and you didn’t. This is exactly the kind of treatment these assholes need. Every woman they encounter, they snap their fingers and the girls come running. It’s annoying. We need to be stronger. We need to learn how to resist.”
“Are you turning into a man-hater, Nat?” I ask with a sigh.
“No, I’m turning into awoman supporter. Fuck these guys who think they can get all the pussy they want, just because they know how to throw a ball or whatever. I say if Ace Townsend wants more of you, he should have to work for it.” Natalie smiles and it’s almost evil. “He’s probably going to spiral, having to put some effort into seeing a woman for the first time in his life.”
“He’s not that bad—”
