Page 17 of Playing to Win
“That new quarterback is looking pretty good out on the field,” Dad observes.
Ugh. We just went into the direction I didn’t want to go.
“He’s also very handsome,” Mom says, sounding one hundred percent like a mother with that particular assessment.
I roll my eyes. “Ace Townsend is kind of an asshole.”
My parents share a look, laughing.
“So you have met him,” Mom says, her tone knowing.
“At the New Year’s party when I was here for the holidays. It was no biggie.” The lies that come out of my mouth are astounding, but maybe if I say it often enough, I’ll start to believe it. “How’s Knox? Have you talked to him lately?”
I change the subject quickly and Dad rattles on about how great Knox is doing with his new team, which is exactly what I wanted to hear. I don’t talk to Knox as often as I do with Blair so I appreciate the update, though I’m only halfway listening.
The other half of my brain is wondering how I’m going to deal with seeing Ace tomorrow.
Am I making a bigger deal about this than I need to be? Probably, but that’s always been my mode of operation. I sort of make a big deal over…everything.
I guess Ace is no exception.
He definitely blew it that night. I would’ve done pretty much anything with him to experience that heady, all-consuming chemistry I felt with him during that moment in the bathroom. I haven’t experienced something like that with a guy before or since. And it really better not be a one-shot moment only with that guy. If that’s the case?
I’m freaking doomed.
SEVEN
ACE
Practice is halfwayover when Coach Mattson calls a water break, his gaze zeroing in on something across the field. I glance over my shoulder, trying to figure out what he’s staring at when I spot it.
More like when I spotthem. Three people are heading toward the field. A tall, skinny guy and two females. One with dark, curly hair that I immediately recognize.
That social media chick from last year. Gwyneth. The mean one, according to Derek. When I look over at him, I see he’s already watching them approach, a disgusted expression on his face that shifts and morphs into something else the longer I watch him.
“Wait a minute. I recognize that blonde,” Derek mutters.
I check out the blonde he’s speaking of, my heart tumbling over itself when I realize I recognize that blonde too.
Oh shit. I’m pretty sure that’s Ruby Maguire.
What is she doing out here?
“The social media team has arrived,” Mattson announces, his booming voice carrying across the field. “Get prepared to put on a little performance, boys.”
I grimace, dropping my head for a moment to stare at the blindingly green grass. I really hate it when he calls usboys, but I live for putting on a show and I’m ready to perform.
Especially for Ruby Maguire.
Is she on our social media team? Looks like it. How fucking lucky can I get? From what I remember last year, we had a lot of interaction with them. After a while, we didn’t even notice they were there, because they were always around.
Don’t know how that’ll be possible with Ruby. I mean, look at her. How can Inotnotice her?
The social media team approaches Mattson and he talks to them, while I sit there and blatantly watch them. Everyone else on my team is sitting around chatting, hyping each other up about getting filmed or whatever, but all I can focus on is Ruby. She looks better than ever, her long blonde hair falling down her back in silky waves, the tight red T-shirt she’s wearing stretched across her tits, emphasizing their size. Not too big, not too small.
They’re just right. Because of course they are.
She’s paying zero attention to me so I blatantly take her in, my gaze lingering on the denim shorts she’s wearing, and how they show off her long, tanned legs. The tall guy and Gwen are both talking to Mattson, I’m guessing explaining what they want to do while Ruby remains mute. She’s gotta be the newest member on the team. Wonder if she requested to work with the football team.
