Page 33 of Teasing the Winger

I wave him off. “It’s all good. We still had a nice time.”

“Niiiccee tiiimme, ehhh?” he says, drawing each word out and making me roll my eyes. “How nice are we talking?”

I throw a pillow at him this time but can’t help but laugh along with him. “I’m not about to spill the details of my love life, but I will tell you that I got my congratulatory kiss,” I tell him.

“Nice. Well, I’m glad one of us got a kiss.”

“Are you actually into Hailey or just wanting to have a good time?” I question him and he lifts a shoulder.

“Honestly. I’m not sure. I mean, I wouldn’t turn down a horizontal tango with her, but I also don’t think I would turn down more. She’s really cool, and I enjoyed hanging out with her tonight. I guess I’ll just have to play it by ear,” he says.

“That is if she forgives you for getting her in trouble with Coach.”

BooBoo’s eyes go wide. “Shit, you don’t think that could have ruined my chances, do you?”

I shrug. “I have no idea, my guy, but she didn’t seem upset about getting in shit, so you’re probably okay. Just keep the stupid shit to a minimum if you actually want a chance at something with her.”

“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. But if she doesn’t hate my guts after that, and we keep the same sleeping arrangements all season, I’d be happy to keep her company while you spend time with your man.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “Thanks, I can hear how agonizing that’s going to be for you,” I tease.

“It will be, but I value our friendship so much that I’m willing to take one for the team.”

“You’re an idiot,” I tell him as we both laugh.

Tonight was amazing, and as much as I enjoyed the kissing and the talking, I can’t help but think that we need to go on an actual date. Our next game isn’t until next Sunday, so we have lots of time to figure out a night that would work for the both of us. The wheels in my brain are beginning to spin as I think of the perfect date to take Sasha on. I want to show him how a partner should really treat him. Even though he hasn’t told me much about his ex, I know that the guy was a fucking tool. He hurt a man who is so full of life and love, and I just don’t understand how someone could do that.

I make a silent vow to myself to only ever show Sasha kindness and respect, something his ex should have done but clearly didn’t.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

SASHA

Hailey and I make our way onto the bus at a snail’s pace until Coach Rudder shouts at us to hurry up. Hailey books it down the aisle to find an open seat and avoid Coach’s glare. Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything about last night, and I take the open seat next to Rio.

“You two were sure running behind this morning,” Rio notes as I get comfortable.

“We were up late talking, and we both forgot to set alarms,” I murmur, feeling a little embarrassed.

Rio snickers while shaking his head at me. “How come that sounds exactly like you?”

I sigh. “Because it is. Without Evangeline, I’m bound to fall apart sooner or later.”

He gives my knee a squeeze, which helps to make me feel a little bit better. “You’re new to this kind of life. You’ll get used to it,” he assures me.

I want to argue, but for some reason, I actually believe him.

“Why are you so confident in me?” I question with a tilt of my head. “You know that my life can be a shit show, and I suck at punctuality. What if I don’t get used to it and I eventually get fired?”

“I’m confident in you because I’ve also seen what you can do when you put your mind to it. And you’re not alone in this. I can help you be more punctual. If we both have to be in the same places at the same time, I can be your alarm and make sure you’re never late.”

“You’d do that for me?” I whisper, and the smile that he offers me damn near turns me into a puddle of mush.

“Of course I will. In case you didn’t figure it out last night, I like you, Sasha, and I want to see you shine. If that means giving you friendly reminders here and there, I’ll gladly do it. Honestly, I think I would do anything you ask of me.”

His confession has more butterflies erupting in my stomach. How did I get so lucky to have a man like this in my life?

“You’re too sweet,” I whisper while intertwining our fingers and sliding my hand into his.

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