Page 82 of Broken Rivalry

I quickly finish dressing, my thoughts already on Poppy. Leaving the locker room, I jog to the exit, and I spot her waiting by my car. She looks up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “My friends will be waiting for us at the Gamma party,” she says, her voice tender and inviting. “But I thought I could use a little alone time with the star athlete first.”

I don’t wait, don’t think. In two strides, I’m there, pressing her against the cool metal of my car, the soft glow of streetlights casting shadows around us. I lean down, capturing her lips with mine. The world fades away, and it’s just the two of us. When we finally break apart, both breathless, I give her a playful smirk, brushing her cheek with the back of my hand.

“Ready to go?”

She nods, still a bit dazed from the kiss. “Always.”

We make our way to the car. The night is young, and whatever it holds, we’ll face it together.

The roar of the crowd from the game still echoes in my ears, mingling with the distant thump of music as I guide Poppy toward the after-party. I’ve never been one for raucous celebrations, but tonight, the air feels different, alive with energy.

Behind us, her friends, Nessa and Eva, keep up a lively banter. Their laughter and chatter are infectious, adding to the night’s exhilaration. As we step into the Gamma house, the atmosphere envelops us—a cacophony of laughter, the thumping beat of music, and the unmistakable buzz of victory. Holding Poppy’s hand, I feel invincible. What more could I want?

Commitment, a voice in my head whispers as Cole and Liam ambush us.

Liam steps forward, a mock-serious expression on his face. “Poppy Donovan, now that you’re with our boy, we’ve got some ground rules to discuss.”

My heart stalls. I’m ready to defend her from their teasing, but she surprises me with her response.

She turns toward me with a bright smile. “It’s only fair. Now that I’m his girl, you need to make sure I’m in the loop with the rules,” she teases.

Cole grins, bumping my shoulder. “See? She gets it.”

The way she referred to herself as “my girl” sends my heart racing. I have half a mind to put her over my shoulder and carry her into an empty room to make love to her for hours.

Cole winks at Poppy. “Now that you’re with Ethan, know he’s not a morning person. A… special wake-up call might be in order.”

She blushes, playfully swatting Cole. “I’ll remember that.”

I clench my fists, shooting Cole the deadliest glare I can muster, which he ignores completely. I guess she needs to get used to Cole’s crude ways because I intend to have her around as much as possible.

Poppy gestures to Nessa and Eva, her tone playful. “But if I’m getting the third degree, shouldn’t my girls have a word with you two?”

Cole smirks, his gaze lingering on Eva. “That sounds like a challenge I’m up for.”

Eva flips him off, and he laughs.

Liam flashes a series of hand signs, and Nessa’s face lights up in response. I’m left wondering what secret language they’ve got going on.

Peters, his voice slurred from the drinks, gets in my face. “Man, that goal! Legendary! Makes me wanna give you a big, sloppy kiss.”

I laugh, pushing Peters away. “Too slow, buddy. I’m off the market.”

“For real?”

“For real,” Poppy replies, wrapping herself around me.

Peters looks down at her with a frown, and I’m about to tell him to chill the fuck out when he grins. “Dude, that’s dope! So many more girls for me!”

She giggles, and I wrap my arm around her, keeping her against my chest. I want to hear her laugh all the time.

Cole leans in, whispering conspiratorially to Poppy, “Rule number one, Donovan, if you spend the night, you’re on breakfast duty.”

She leans into me and tilts her head, feigning surprise. “Oh, is that in the official rule book?”

“Uh-huh, and you may have to cook us dinner as well.”

I slap him on the back of the head. “You do your own cooking, lazy ass.” I look down at my beautiful girl and run my finger along her jawline. She looks up, and I brush my lips against hers. Cole and Liam groan and disappear into the crowd.

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