Page 90 of Playing to Win
I say nothing.
“She hot for you?” He tips his head toward me, a giant shit-eating grin on his face.
I still remain silent.
“Whatever. Keep your little secret. I imagine that makes everything ten times hotter.” Sometimes Derek is too smart for his own good. “Just watch it. Everyone will find out eventually and that’s going to be a big deal.”
“What’s going to be a big deal?” I ask, guzzling all the beer down that I can swallow. I’m suddenly nervous. My palms are sweating and everything.
“You and Ruby Maguire, my friend. She’s a hottie. And a Maguire.” Derek frowns. “Wait a minute, you can’t be with her. There’s some sort of clause the social media team has to sign after that one chick lost her marbles and posted dick pics online.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“That’s why that clause was put into place. There was this one girl who had a baseball playing boyfriend and she was on their social media team. It was no problem until they split up and she put all of his naked pics on the university’s Facebook page or whatever. It was bad. Shit hit the fan and that’s why they added that pesky little amendment to the contract. No fucking around with athletes. The university doesn’t want to risk another fiasco,” Derek explains.
My gaze stays on Ruby as she stops to chat with a group of women that she seems to know. She’s animated, laughing and gesturing with her hands, stopping to listen to whatever the other women have to say. It’s only when I finally let my gaze stray to the other women that I realize she came with Gwyneth of all people.
Interesting.
“Sounds like a stupid clause,” I say, still staring at Ruby.
“Only because you’re looking at her like a starving man and she’s a giant slab of meat you want to gnaw on for the rest of your life.”
I send him a measured look. “I really don’t need your commentary.”
He’s grinning again. “And I’m really loving this. Don’t fuck things up for yourself, QB. Keep a steady head. What if she turns into a vengeful witch out to get you if you don’t give her what she wants?”
I’d give Ruby whatever she wants. Orgasms. Flowers. Chocolate. Plenty of hugs. She wants to make out all night? I’m down. Cuddle in bed naked? Yes, please.
“She’s not like that,” I say in defense of her. “And do you really think all women are like that?”
“Some are.”
“She’s not,” I say firmly.
“Hey, guys.”
We both swivel our heads to find Ruby standing at our table, Gwyneth just behind her with an unsure expression on her face.
“Maguire,” Derek greets. “See me out on the field today?”
I roll my eyes and Ruby laughs.
“I definitely saw you,” she says. “You were amazing.”
“I know, right?” Derek is literally preening under Ruby’s attention and it’s a sight to see.
Scratch that. The true sight to see is Ruby smiling at Derek, her gaze sliding to mine like she can’t resist. Damn it, she’s gorgeous. That T-shirt clings to her perfect tits in the best way and I curl my hands into fists, keeping them in my lap. I’d much rather lunge for her, grab her and never let go, but I don’t.
I can’t.
“You all played pretty great,” Ruby says, her gaze only for me.
“It was a tough game,” Gwen adds, stepping closer to the table. “You struggled but by the end, you all came out on top.”
“You’re damn straight,” Derek tells Gwen, his gaze narrowing. “And thanks for the critique, Gwennie.”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t call me that.”
