Page 47 of Dangerous Play

“Don’t be… you got an even score, you still lead in points. It’s fine.” He punctuated the last two words with such force I almost cracked a smile. “That being said, have you heard from the National Team?”

“Nope. Not yet. Have you heard anything?”

“Me neither. But I’ll keep my ears open.”

“Thank you.” I sighed. “Are you coming down any time soon?”

“I’ll be with you guys on Friday,” he said, cheerfully. “We need to work on mashing that midfield a bit more, plus I’m bringing my son on a university tour.”

“Shit, Eric’s going to be a freshman next year.” I grinned.

“Don’t even remind me.” He laughed. “I’ll need you to keep an eye on him.”

“You got it,” I said, knowing that we were both fully aware I was the most mature out of all the players on the team. No matter their age.

“I’ll see you next week, so until then, stay out of trouble.”

“I always do.”

Currently, trouble was sitting in my living room, hanging out with my team. I wasn’t sure if it was going to blow up in our faces or not.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

MAX

The next coupleof weeks passed in a blur of morning practices, classes, afternoon practices and workout sessions, occasional dinner dates, run dates and sleepovers. Plus, many soccer games on the weekends. Ivy always asked for my outfit pictures of travelling sweat set or fancy suite. Her comments made me laugh and I enjoyed our little text exchanges which I even read back when I was alone. Especially the cute and flirty ones.

With pumpkin season upon us, we made sure to drink plenty of Pumpkin Spiced Latte that I slowly grew to like and attend fall-themed activities on the campus to really rub it in everyone’s nose that we were dating. I didn’t mind her company, I actually enjoyed spending time with Ivy despite the constant attention and the need of taking pictures of every tiny thing we did. It was all for show, and I knew it, but the way her eyes lit up when I got her flowers felt real. So, no matter how fake our dates were, I always got her flowers. That thing was real between us.

“I need the chocolate chips,” Ivy called out, waking me from my daydream as I stared at the pretty fall colored bouquet I gother. It was one of those rare occasions when we spent time in her flat. Kaia was out with some friends, and it was time for me to try the famous cookies Ivy raved about.

“Here you go,” I handed her the bag, glancing at the cookie dough.

“Don’t even try,” she grabbed my reached out finger that I wanted to dip in the dough. “It’s not ready yet.”

“I wanted to taste test it,” I gave her my sweet puppy eyes, but she shook her head.

Leaning against the counter, I watched her tight jeans mold onto her perfect ass that got rounder and lifted from all the running we did. There was something familiar about the way we spent time in a kitchen. It almost felt like playing house.

“Do you need some muscle?” I interrupted her as she mixed the dough.

“No,” she shut me down with a grin. “You need to sit back and enjoy the process. Stop trying to help.”

I couldn’t help it, I wanted to help. I wanted to be close to her, feel her flowery scent wrap around me and feel her body heat.

Crossing my arms I watched her make small balls and lay them out on the baking paper, before I stepped in to open the pre-heated oven.

A grateful smile played on Ivy’s lips as she bent down to put the cookies on the rail.

“And now we wait.”

“This is when the magic happens?” I wiggled my brows, making her giggle.

“Something like that, I hope you will like them.” The way her voice shook with slight self-consciousness squeezed my chest.

There was no way I was ever telling her if I didn’t like her cookies.

“I trust you, Blossom,” I smiled at her, and before I could catch myself, I wrapped my arms around her middle and pulled her to my chest.

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