Page 8 of Playing to Win
Where did he go?
“Hey! Did you just sneak off with Ace?”
My sister appears in front of me, her expression one of pure concern.
“Nothing happened,” I immediately say, not wanting Blair to overreact. I know she’s just watching out for me, but whatever happened between Ace and me a few minutes ago was no big deal.
That’s what I keep telling myself.
“Between you and Ace?” Blair makes a tsking noise, shaking her head. “Well, that’s a shame.”
I’m frowning. My sister is sending me mixed messages. “You actually want me to hook up with Ace?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?” She shrugs. “I mean, it wouldn’t be a hardship, spending a little one on one time with Ace. Look at him. He’s adorable.”
Adorably sexy. Adorably magnetic.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for him.” Blair leans in close, her voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t tell Cam, though. I think he’d be jealous.”
“Please.” I dismiss her worries immediately. “Like you look at anyone else.”
“I don’t,” she agrees. “But he’d still be jealous. Sometimes he acts like Ace is coming for his entire life.”
It’s kind of weird to hear that Cam has any insecurities, though he’s only human, so I guess it makes sense. He definitely acts like he’s got his shit together. Both personally and out on the football field. But if anyone knows the real Cam, it’s my sister. They’ve become super close in a short amount of time, and I love it for her. For them.
They make a great couple.
“Get a drink everyone! The countdown is about to start!” the same football player screams, his voice booming through the house.
“I need to go find Cam.” Blair gives my arm a squeeze before she leaves me alone.
Geez. I’m the guest here tonight and everyone keeps ditching me, I swear.
Determined, I go on the hunt once more for Ace, peeking around every corner. Looking behind every closed door, except the locked ones. He’s nowhere to be found and the beefy football player—I think his name is Derek—has officially started counting down from thirty, which is obnoxious as hell.
I guess he’s trying to give everyone enough time to find a drink and someone to yell Happy New Year with, but all he’s doing is filling me with panic. Leaving me with the urgent need to find anyone—okay fine, a particular someone—now.
“Ten, nine, eight…”
I race up the stairs, my heart pounding, my hands shaking when I reach for yet another closed door. An ominous feeling washes over me, my breath stalling in my lungs, and when the door swings open, I swear my heart lodges in my throat.
“Three, two, one…HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
The sounds of cheers and party horns blaring fill my already ringing ears as I take in what’s happening directly in front of me. It’s another cramped bathroom and Ace is in it, and this time the redhead who busted up our earlier encounter is the one in his arms, her lips fused with his. His broad back is to me and her hands are buried in his hair, long pointy red nails stroking through the short strands. When she breaks the kiss, our gazes meet, the triumphant smile on her face telling me she’s absolutely thrilled I caught them together.
That she’s the one who got to kiss him at midnight and not me.
Frustration ripples through my veins and I clutch my hands into fists. I hate losing control of a situation, and I hate even more looking like a fool.
Right now, I feel like the biggest fool out there.
Ace quickly extracts himself from the redhead’s arms, shaking his head. Rubbing his hand across his mouth like…what? He didn’t enjoy the kiss?
Please. I must make some sort of noise because he jerks his head in my direction, his eyes going wide when he spots me, the panic in his expression obvious.
Panic that he just got caught, I’m sure.
“Oh shit. Ruby.” He starts toward me and I hold up my hand, stopping him.
