Page 74 of By His Rule

LORELEI

“Insufferable asshole,” I mutter as I march from his office with my cell in my hand.

The coolness of the tiles beneath my feet works its way up my body and I shiver.

I can’t even leave…

Ignoring the jerk I just left behind, I pull up my contacts and hit call on Wilder’s number.

It only rings once before his deep voice fills the line.

He was waiting for me. He always is before a game.

“Hey, are you ready?” I ask.

“It’s a big night. They were our worst loss last season.”

“That was last season. You’re a better team than you were then.”

“So are they,” he says nervously.

“Then the win you’re about to take will only be sweeter.”

“Lor,” he warns.

He secretly loves my positivity before his games. It’s the reason he has this little pregame ritual.

“How are those cleats?” I ask.

“Oh my god, they are the best.” So they should be, for what they cost. “Thank you so much.”

“They’re gonna get you this win. I just know it.”

He blows out a long, nervous breath that makes butterflies erupt in my own stomach.

It doesn’t matter how many games he plays, how many touchdowns he scores, or how many wins he gets under his belt, I am always a nervous wreck for him.

As much as I hate being so far away from them, on game nights, I can’t help but think it’s probably for the best. I have never been more stressed than sitting in those stands, watching Wilder get taken down from every which way while the timer counts down, ready to decide their fate.

“There are scouts, Lor,” he says quietly. “They?—”

“Wilder,” I snap, trying to drag him from his panic. “You are the best football player I’ve ever seen.” No need to mention that I never watched a single game until he started playing. “Forget about everything but the game. Focus on the ball, on your plays. Even if this one doesn’t go the way you hope, your skills and talent will still shine through.”

“I want this so bad,” he confesses.

“I know you do. And you’re going to get it.”

“Fuck,” he huffs.

“I believe in you, Wild Child. Rix does too. He’s in the stands waiting for you to come out.”

“I know. I know.”

My free hand curls into a fist. I wish there was more I could do to reassure him.

“You’ll be watching, yeah?”

Guilt twists up my stomach.

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