Page 114 of Thunderstruck
“Ord…” I turn to Carissa, who likely has no idea what we’re talking about out on the pitch but meets my gaze and immediately flushes pink. “Everyone run some laps,” I growl, as if that might get rid of the guys surrounding me.
To my surprise, they all pick up a jog and head in the opposite direction of Carissa.
Taking the opportunity they give me, I stalk across the pitch, never taking my eyes off of Carissa even though she says something to Mel and Moxie and looks ready to bolt.
“You look angry,” she says to me when I’m within earshot.
“Want me to beat him up for you, Carissa?” Moxie asks, shifting his weight on his crutches so he’s somewhat in front of her.
Iignore him and continue my path directly for Carissa. My steps don’t slow, even when I’m right in front of her, so she scrambles backward until I have her pressed against the concrete wall behind her. I place one hand on either side of her head, boxing her in.
“Did you tell the guys to pretend they don’t see me as a friend so I would be forced into going to Sage’s wedding?” I ask, my voice gruff.
She bites her lip, pulling my gaze to her mouth. “Um.”
“Why?”
“Because Derek thought—”
“Of course he did.” Sighing, I move in closer until my face is only inches from hers. While technically I’ve already spent most of the day with her, offering her seatmate on the plane a hundred bucks to switch seats with me, I haven’t had a chance to get this close to her for several hours. I don’t like that, though I’ll need to learn to survive time away from her if this relationship of ours is going to be healthy. At least she’ll come to away games with me, or I might be less reluctant to stay with the team as a player and not just as an owner as soon as that goes through.
Though I’m distracted by her pink lips, I should probably tell Carissa how close I am to buying the team. The current owners, a business duo from Long Beach, were more than interested in my proposal, considering the Thunder isn’t good enough yet to bring in much of a return on their investment. They pushed my original offer to six million, but I think I can talk them down to five and a half. If not, I’ll pay whatever it takes.
I want this team to succeed, as much for the players’ sake as for a way to keep Carissa here with me. I intend to keep her for as long as I possibly can.
“You’re really thinking hard about something there, Stitch.”
My eyes jump to hers. “You too?”
Grinning, she shifts her hands so they’re pressed against my chest. “I think it’s a great nicknamefor you.”
“Please tell me it didn’t come from the fuzzy blue alien guy.” Now that she’s touching me, I can’t resist moving my hands from the wall to her waist. She’s wearing that tank top again, the pink one with the unicorn, and it’s such a contrast from my navy blue kit that I can’t help but smile. Everything about us is a contrast, but I think that’s what makes us work.
“There might have been some Disney influence,” Carissa says, closing her eyes as I pull her closer to my body and brush her nose with mine. “The whole concept of family and all that. But I think it goes deeper than that. I think…” She takes a sharp breath when my lips find her jaw. “I think you can’t kiss me like that if you want me to explain.”
I groan and pull away. “Fine. We may want to come up with some rules for while we’re at practice so I don’t end up blowing off the team to hang out with you.”
“There is nothing close to the concept of ‘hanging out’ running through your head right now, Evanson.” Narrowing her eyes, she gives me a gentle push so I take a step back and allow her some space to breathe. “And whatever you’re thinking, you’ll have to save that for later. Here, we’re at work. And we are going to stay professional.”
I fold my arms. “What if I can’t?”
“Then you need to work through some things and learn self-control.” Her response comes with a teasing smile, but I know she’s serious. And I seriously love how intentional she wants to be with this job.
Lifting my hands in the air, I take several steps back and bump into Moxie, who thankfully keeps himself upright. “Sorry,” I mutter to him before turning back to Carissa. “Better?”
Moxie laughs as he looks between us. “I didn’t think anyone would have that kind of control over you,” he tells me. “Who knew all it would take is you falling in love?”
“Shut up. You.” I point at Carissa, who tilts her head. “Keep talking. Why Stitch?”
“Because things would have fallen apart without you,” she says, tucking her hands into the pockets of her shorts. “With Moxie in recovery, they need someone to hold them together because we all know it won’t be Coach Galvin.”
Okay. Well. That nickname is better than I could have hoped for. A pressure builds in my chest, not unwelcome but not comfortable either because it forces me to be vulnerable.Acceptance. It’s an emotion I don’t feel often outside of my friends—the Glam Gang, according toHot Scoop—and I never expected to feel it here.
“Really?” I’m not sure I can actually believe it after the season I’ve had so far.
“Really,” Moxie says as Mel nods next to him, which is confirmation enough for me. “I wish I didn’t have to blow my knee to get you there, but you are the best thing to happen to this team. I’m glad you’ve finally accepted it.”
I frown, my eyes jumping down to the wrapped up mass that is his leg. He shouldn’t be standing here making me feel better about myself when he’s only a week off his surgery. “You’ll be captain again soon.”
