Page 21 of Dangerous Play

“Thank you for telling me.” She rested her hand on my upper arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.

I didn’t want to point out that this was all online and if she ever read an interview or a summary of me, she would have known. They called me Potter as I was this skinny little kid that no one believed in at first, but with time, I changed everyone’s perception of me. It was my ability to control the ball that everyone found magical.

I flashed her a small smile. “You’re welcome. But if you want to know more of my soccer, just Google me.”

Ivy made a face. “That sounded like something Ander would say.”

“I’m not that good talking about myself.” I shrugged. “Especially not compliments. So, if you want to make up your mind and have your own opinion on my soccer, check it out online.”

She was silent for a long moment, head bent over the phone as I drove us toward my home.

“How come you play for the national teams when you are playing in NCAA?” she asked suddenly.

“Easy, I don’t get paid.”

“Ander is not playing for them,” she said. “Are you better than him?”

“No. Sanchez is not playing for them as he doesn’t want to do it for free. But I do it for the experience and exposure. And it’s not mine to decide who is better. There are more qualified people out there to do so, like the National Team Coaches and all the soccer agents. What I think is irrelevant and subjective.”

Ivy hummed as if my words got her thinking. “You’re not competing with him.”

“The only person I’m competing with is myself. That’s all that matters and what I need to focus on. I don’t need to compete with someone who is in the same place as I am. Sure, we might be picked for the same position, but we are both better suited for different type and style of teams with the pros.”

“Wow… you sound like you have this all figured out,” she remarked.

I laughed. “I don’t, but I told you already… Sanchez means nothing to me. The rivalry between our universities is fun and keeps the players engaged, but we’ve been having the upper hand for years.”

Ivy nodded as I slowed down, and a lane of white houses lined up on either sides of the car. She shifted next to me.

I wanted to reach over and comfort her, but I wasn’t sure about our rules with touching in private, so I refrained.

Instead, I said, “You got it right. Quality time and physical touch are my love languages.”

Maybe that’s why every time she reached out, I felt a jolt of electricity run through me, and that was why I wanted to touch her so badly.

She flashed me a small smile, but it vanished as I stopped the car and turned to look at her. Her teeth sunk into her lower lip and she eyed the simple three-story white house with the Titan’s flag hanging from the balcony.

“Will you tell your teammates the truth?”

I contemplated my reply as my eyes fell on my home where my team had gathered. “Just Derek and Maddox, the rest of them won’t need to know.”

Dex and Maddox already knew, as well as Kaia. That was enough. I just needed to believe they trusted my judgement to not hold this against me. I could only hope this won’t be the reason my team loses faith in me as a leader.

Ivy nodded. “Hold my hand?” she asked quietly.

I reached out, brushing her loose strands of hair out of her face. “We agreed… full PDA package.”

Her smile that I grew to crave made an appearance, and pride swelled in my chest at being the reason for it.

I winked and rounded the car, before opening the passenger door and offering her my hand. “Ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” She carefully placed her hand in mine, her cold fingers wrapping around me like a life vest, and warmth spread through me from our touch.

I tugged her to my side as we walked toward the house. “Game on,” I muttered into her ear as we made our way to the front door.

The shiver passing through her body was written off to the chilly wind, but I couldn’t help but notice her cheeks turning pink.

I hid my smile as a spark of happiness swelled in my chest. But I didn’t have time to analyze why I was feeling happy by her cheeks changing color or why I even cared that I affected her. I shouldn’t. Ivy’s been through a rough breakup with a narcissistic bastard who probably left her with a long list of issues that Ihaven’t even started uncovering. I knew how emotional damage looked like, and this girl showed all the symptoms. Yet, my silly little heart decided to care.

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