Page 13 of Dangerous Play

“I need to sort out the Thalia problem.” I lowered my voice, as our teammates scattered from around us, rushing to the changing rooms. “I need her to back off.”

“Are you taking Poison Ivy up on her offer?” Dex bumped into me from the other side, joining in on our conversation.

“Maybe that would be helpful… just until they announce the teams… it will also give her enough time with the Ander business… and you know…”

Dex clapped me on the back. “That’s the spirit, I would tap it.”

“This isn’t about sex,” I groaned, shaking his hand off me. “This is about getting Thalia to back off and helping Ivy with Ander. It’s a two in one… think of it as business.”

“Sex is business… it’s the best currency to trade in,” Dex went on.

I glanced at Maddox. “Do you think it’s crazy?”

“I think you should focus on your benefit of it as you don’t know how genuine this girl is… she might be tricking you. But she can’t trick you if you have your own gains from this arrangement.”

“Exactly,” Dex agreed as if he wasn’t unhelpful moments before. “Plus, I heard she’s been getting a lot of shit for being seen with you. Maybe you can go play knight in shining armor and save her from the cruelty of the internet.”

“I’m no knight in shining armor.”

Laughing, they exchanged an amused look. “Yeah, you are.”

“You are the hero in every girl’s fairytale, dude.”

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the not so useful advice.”

“Where are you going?” Dex called after me, as I jogged across the field.

“To play the hero.”

After a quick shower and a change of my outfit, I jumped into my Range Rover and made my way toward the Westpoint campus. It was Friday afternoon and students were done with their classes. They mingled in the courtyards, lying on the blankets and chatting as I passed. Several curious glances were thrown my way, but I kept my sunglasses fixed in front of myeyes and walked with determination even if I had no idea where Ivy was. I didn’t know what major she was to even start walking to any direction. I didn’t know anything about her.

Maybe I needed a better plan.

“Max?” A hand landed on my shoulders.

Twisting around, I pasted a casual, sweet smile on my face. “Hi…” Surprise washed over me, and my smile wavered. “Kaia, right?”

“Impressive.” Her short blonde hair framed her face. She was wearing a skintight ribbed dress, the caramel color blending in with her skin.

I blinked, unsure where to look as it almost felt like she was naked, so I settled on her eyes.

“Do you know where Ivy is?” I asked, hoping my voice didn’t shake from the uncertainty that gripped my throat.

This was the most impulsive thing I’ve done since hooking up with Thalia.

“Oh…” Kaia blinked. “I think she is on Mill Hill Road. Where the soccer players live.”

It was one of the busies college streets where most athletes rented and lived together. Whenever the team was sharing a place to live, it always boosted the teamwork. Usually, freshman had to stay on campus but anyone on the team from sophomore onwards had the option to live in the soccer house.

A sour taste filled my mouth, and I immediately thought I got played.

“They are having a party tonight, and I think she went there to hang out with Daisy… her sister,” Kaia explained, as she took in my sad puppy face probably.

“I wanted to talk to her, but it can wait.” I shrugged it off, annoyed at myself for even considering it.

“I’m going there… if you want to give me a ride?” Kaia asked. “I won’t tell Dex.”

Dex wouldn’t care even if I was fucking her, but it was cute of her to try.

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