Page 24 of Dangerous Play

And if Max, who was the worst person in Ander’s eyes, was the total opposite, his team couldn’t be bad at all either.

The next hour was spent with devouring delicious chicken nuggets with lots of ketchup and fries, washing it down with diet Coke. My emotional support food wrapped a little blanket around me and supplied me with instant happiness. But it wasn’t just the food that wrapped around me. Max’s hands never left my body. His touch was gentle and caring, keeping it on my lower back as he guided me through the house,introducing me to his teammates, and once we sat, he kept it on my thighs. Occasionally, he would tuck back my hair, or lean closer whenever he was saying something in a low, rumbling voice. None of his touch was intrusive or possessive, yet I could never forget he was next to me. Not even when I’d gotten introduced to all the guys on the soccer team, unable to recall all their names and positions. I was satisfied just by being able to have a conversation with them. It wasn’t hard. After our fake story time, there were no questions about my ex, or the viral video of me being humiliated. None. Instead, we chatted about video games. Maverick showed me their impressive collection of PS5, Wii and Nintendo Switch. Different guys had different preferences, but they were all equally shocked when I said I never played the one with sports. I wasn’t even faking the surprise on my face when Max stood up, his hands leaving my thigh for the first time since we sat down, and he pulled out a box from under the TV, showing off his impressive collection of Nintendo Switch accessories. From a wheel to tennis rackets, golf, and hockey sticks, there was everything. Even a strap-on for playing soccer.

“You’re joking.” I let out a stunned snort, and walking over to him, I picked up the black mesh strap-on. “Of course, you have the soccer one.”

A shy smile tugged on his lips. “I told you… I’m all soccer.”

For a moment, my heart skipped a beat, expecting him to use the word ‘babe’ that all the guys always used with their girlfriends, but his word of endearment was a pause.

“You need to ask him how many things he has broken due to using that shit,” Derek chimed in.

Max’s smile developed into a grin. “Yeah, I stopped counting. But I’m an Arizona kid. In the first year, I had no idea what to do with… rain. Like am I supposed to go out, everything is slippery and muddy. And it does get cold as well…”

“Seriously?” I couldn’t hold in my laughter, and I glanced back toward the oak dining table situated in the other end of the room and surveyed his teammates’ faces. They were all grinning and nodding. “Oh my gosh, you are serious!”

“He used to think he was made of sugar,” Liam cooed, grinning at his captain.

“I am made of sugar.” Max flipped him off. “Contrary to you assholes.”

“Is that why you are so against surfing?” I wiggled my brows, turning toward my fake boyfriend. “Afraid of some water?”

“Nah, he is just a pussy,” Micah offered me an explanation.

This time, I didn’t look back, instead I watched Max roll his eyes with a shrug and didn’t even react to his words. It felt like the guy’s comment wasn’t even worth his time. It was strange seeing the dynamics between the guys. Ander didn’t let anyone breathe a wrong word about him, while with the Titans, it had that family bickering feeling. The teasing and joking, yet I could tell they were ready to jump down my throat if I hurt him. I felt their eyes trail every movement between us like I was a prey. But mostly, they watched the way Max behaved around me, noted every small touch. He was putting on the show for them, to show them this was serious as I was the first girl he ever brough into the house.

Those were some big shoes to fill.

“So… does she know about Thalia?” Nico said, and I blinked in surprise.

“Was that your girlfriend from freshman year?” I asked, my eyes still remaining on Max. His posture changed, his hands disappeared in his pockets, and it seemed like the distance between us grew. Did he take a step back?

“I was just getting there, thanks,” he muttered to Nico in a dark tone, while I heard a low chuckle from the table.

“You better get that story out in time…” Someone shut him up before he could finish the sentence, yet it still felt like a punch to the gut.

I knew Max had his reasons for wanting to fake date me, but I didn’t realize it was a girl.

“Why don’t I show you the rest of the house?” Max offered, tilting his head toward the door.

The guys behind me snickered. “And your room, Captain.”

All it took was one dark look from Max to get them to shut up, and I was impressed. He didn’t exercise any of his captain privileges to be a dick; he only used his leadership skills when they were making me uncomfortable.

“Sounds good.” I nodded and offered him my hand.

Max threaded his fingers through mine, before we walked back toward the foyer to take on the staircase.

“Nico, make sure you clean up,” Max said over his shoulder. “You seemed like you had some extra energy to burn off.”

I grinned at that.

I wasn’t surprised that Max’s room was on the second floor. I turned my head away, allowing him privacy to enter his room’s code.

I felt his eyes on me, as I surveyed the corridor with rooms. “Most of the times sophomores are doubled up in rooms as well as some juniors who are not starters. Seniors have their own room. As I’m the captain, I should have gotten the biggest one, but I stayed in my last year’s room. I really don’t spend enough time in here for it to matter,” he explained as he pushed the door open and stepped aside.

My gaze roamed over a very minimalistic room. In the middle, a king-sized bed stood, with a grey comforter on it and some decorative throw pillows, one of them shaped as a soccer ball. Two white bedside tables on either side of the bed took space. A big window overlooked the back of the house, underwhich a desk was positioned with piles of books. I remembered him dropping his backpack in the foyer when we entered, but either Derek or Maddox must have brough it up as it was sitting on his office chair.

“En suite to the left and the right door leads to the closet. I use the dresser for most of my clothes,” he pointed at said furniture piece which I missed as a TV was positioned on top of it. “I have some space in the closet, if you ever want or need to leave clothes here.”

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