Page 47 of Teasing the Winger

I shrug. “Unless you can rewire my brain, I don’t think anything is going to help.”

“I could drive you to classes when I’m not working,” he offers, and as much as I don’t want to accept help, it’s not a bad idea.

“I’d really appreciate that,” I tell him with a smile. “I could probably also ask Rio to drive me around when you can’t. At least then I won’t have to worry about being alone. Like I just said, I’m sure I’m overreacting, but if using the buddy system will stop my panic attacks, I’m all for it.”

“We’ve got you. You have good people in your life now, and we won’t let you down.”

I smile at him before taking a deep breath as the panic slowly lifts off my shoulders.

I’m not alone. And I’ll never be alone again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

RIO

Watching Sasha look over his shoulder constantly the past few days has my heart breaking for him. When he asked me if I would be okay with driving him around for a little while I said yes without hesitation. He claims that deep down he knows Lux won’t come looking for him but being around others calms his anxiety. I would do anything to help the man who is already claiming a permanent place in my heart.

We’ve been dating for two weeks today, but it feels like months. We’ve fallen into an easy routine, and he’s pretty much all I can think about when I’m not with him—well, him and soccer. Dating Sasha comes so naturally that it has me wondering if soul mates are a real thing. I’ve never felt so content in all of my life, and it’s simply because I have this amazing man as my partner. He just makes everything a little bit better.

Everyone around me has noticed the subtle change, even Coach, who simply slapped me on the shoulder and told me happiness looks good on me.

“Are you excited to get away for a little bit?” I ask Sasha as the bus drives us for another away game.

He nods with a big smile. “I’m beyond excited. I already feel like I can breathe a little deeper. If Lux was looking for me, which he probably isn’t, but if he was, he wouldn’t have any idea that I’d be traveling with the soccer team. Only you guys and those in charge know that I’m the mascot.”

I give his hand a squeeze and press my lips to his cheek. Fuck I hate that he is harboring so much anxiety about that stupid video going viral. I really wish I had connections to figure out what happened to that Lux guy so I could give Sasha peace of mind. I don’t think this fear is going to go away until he knows that Lux isn’t a threat. It took him half a year to stop worrying when he first moved here, and that was when Lux had no way of finding him. Heaven only knows how long it’s going to take to calm his nerves this time. Although the last time Sasha was all alone, and now, he has a massive support system so maybe it won’t be so bad.

In the meantime, all I can do is continue to be part of Sasha’s support system, which I will do for as long as he is in my life.

The energy on the bus is electric after another fantastic win. Sasha really is our good luck charm.

“Three cheers for Kerrington,” BooBoo shouts as we make our way to the hotel. “Hip-Hip.”

“Hooray!” everyone cheers, causing Sasha to turn the brightest shade of pink.

“Hip-Hip,” BooBoo calls out again.

“Hooray!” the team yells back louder.

“Hip-Hip,” BooBoo says one last time, and the final hooray that follows is loud you can practically feel the words vibrating through your chest.

“You all might think I’m your good luck charm,” Sasha says while kneeling on his chair so everyone can see him. “But your talent is the real reason you’re bringing home those wins. Although I won’t complain about getting to tag along for this amazing journey.”

Everyone hoots and hollers in agreement when Sasha sits back down, and I lean over to steal a quick kiss.

“I’m really glad you’re along for the journey,” I whisper to him, making him blush even harder.

“I don’t think I’ve ever blushed this much in my life,” he tells me with a toothy grin.

“You just need to figure out how to take a compliment better. You’re amazing, and everyone can see it. That’s why we love having you at every game. Well, that and our stupid superstitions.”

He chuckles and nods. “This team is amazing, so it’s really no hardship at all to be with you guys for every game.”

“BooBoo said if you wanted to sneak into our room tonight to cuddle that he wouldn’t care. We’re just not allowed to fuck,” I tell him, and his eyes light up.

“Really?” he asks, and I nod. “Well, I’m not going to turn that down. You already know what an amazing cuddler you are. I’ll let Hailey know so she can cover for me in case someone does room checks.”

Sasha is practically vibrating with excitement as we pull up to the hotel.

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