Page 61 of Scoring the Player
I can’t bear to repeat the conversation, so I lift one shoulder in a shrug and start for our seats. “I think that’s her everyday look.”
22
FELIX
“Yo, Walters. Awesome game,”some guy yells and then tosses a beer in my direction as I walk through the front door of my house.
“Thank you.” I catch it, tap the tab a few times before I pop it open, and then drain half the cold can in one long gulp.
Adrenaline from the game still pumps through me. We’re ready to take this season by storm and UTEP was just the first stop. They’re probably the easiest team we’re going to play, so we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves, but for tonight I’m just going to enjoy it.
I make my way through the living room to more pats on the back and congratulations. Teddy and Holly are standing in the kitchen. My sister smiles as I approach.
“Nice game,” she says.
“Thanks.” I take another drink from my beer. “Have you seen Dahlia?”
She hesitates and the smile slips from her face.
“What?” I ask, sliding my hand into my jeans pocket to get my phone. I didn’t explicitly ask her to come over tonight, but I assumed she knew I’d want her here. Looking up from the field and seeing her cheering me on in my jersey was almost as good as winning the game. Shy, beautiful Dahlia wearing my name and number across her back, and everyone knowing she’s mine—hell fucking yeah. I could get used to that.
I’m already tapping out a text to her when Holly says, “Oh, there she is.”
I look up in time to see Dahlia and Jane walking toward us from the front door. Another hit of adrenaline surges through me, but then it comes to a screeching halt when I see she’s changed out of my jersey. Major bummer. I was looking forward to getting an up-close view of her in it.
“Hey,” I say, stepping forward to hug her. “I was just texting you to make sure you were coming.”
“Of course.” Her arms wrap around my neck to hug me back. “Congratulations! You were amazing!”
Emotion is still running high, nerves raw, and I don’t have my usual armor on to distract myself from how good it feels to have her touches and attention, her praise. Lust shoots straight through me and my chest tightens. I set my beer down and then lift her off the ground, spin her and listen to the sweet laughter that leaves her perfect mouth.
When I stop moving, I meet her gaze. “Hi.” It comes out gruffer this time.
“Hey,” she says back, a little breathless.
I set her back on the ground but keep hugging her. “How was your tournament?”
“I got third,” she says, a hint of pride in her voice.
“Amazing. Must have been the licorice.”
More of that sweet laughter filters out. “Must have been.”
“We need to celebrate.” I pull back reluctantly, say a quick hello to Jane, and then grab them both a seltzer from the fridge.
“Black Cherry. Nice.” Jane’s lips tip into a pleased and, all too knowing, smile.
I shoot her a wink, then take Dahlia by the hand. The three of us go outside. The loud music and wall of people we find out there fits my mood perfectly tonight.
I stop not far into the chaos and lean closer to ask, “How do you want to celebrate?”
“Whatever you want. It’s your night. I already celebrated. We stopped for dinner on the way home from the tournament.”
“That is not celebrating.”
She rolls her eyes playfully. “It’s all I need. Tonight is about you. All these people are here for you. You’re really incredible out there. I could barely look away.”
Fuck, I can’t describe how good it feels to hear those words from her.
