Page 29 of Playmaker

What is she doing to me?

“I’ll think about it,” she says, lips twitching. “What? I can’t let you becometooarrogant. If that head of yours gets any bigger it’ll burst.”

“Looking forward to it!” I shout as she swims over to Maya and Ethan. She gives me a middle finger in response, which causes me to throw my head back and laugh.

Maddie Davis is going to be the death of me.

Twelve

Cameron

A part of me is surprised to find Maddie sitting on the hood of her car in my driveway with an open textbook in her lap. I thought she’d make me wait at least a day or two before she came around, but it makes me happy to know that being away from each other might be as torturous for her as it is for me.

I grab my duffel bag from the backseat and throw the strap over my shoulder. My muscles ache from going harder than usual in today’s training session, but I’ve been slacking. I had to make up for it.

“Studying?” I ask.

She drags her attention away from the book, and the pencil she was strumming along her lip freezes in place. I soak in how blatantly obvious she’s making it that she’s checking me out, watching as her eyes drag over me from head to toe.

I’m in a pair of workout shorts, sneakers, and a backward ball cap that’s holding back my sweaty curls. I didn’t shower after training because I truly didn’t expect her to be here.

“Do you even know what a shirtis?” She tilts her head to the side, running her eyes over my abs, and my blood instantly heats at the memory of her fingers trailing over them.

I tilt my lips into a grin. “Why would I when I look so much better without one?”

“Have I ever mentioned that you’re arrogant?”

I chuckle and inch closer to her. “Once or twice. Do you want to come inside?”

She closes the textbook on her lap when I place my hands on either side of her. The gold chain around my neck dangles between us, and Maddie eyes it as if she’s picturing all the ways to grab hold of it. My cock thickens at the sight, but when I dip my head down to—

“I don’t think that’s the best idea,” she whispers.

Oh.

I take a large step back to give her some space while attempting to ignore the bone-crushing, heart-wrenching sensation spreading throughout my body.

Did I get this all wrong?

Did it not mean as much to her as it did for me?

“Look, what we did was great,” she starts, “but if Ethan finds out—”

“He’ll kill us both. I get it.” It still doesn’t stop my jaw from clenching. It doesn’t stop my heart from shattering. I knew continuing things was a long shot, and I guess I didn’t realize how clear my decision was until she suddenly stripped away the option. I don’t want this to end between us. I want what happened in the closet to happen again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

“Don’t worry,” she continues. “I won’t tell anyone about what we did. I wouldn’t want to tarnish your reputation.”

My eyes bore into hers. “My reputation?”

“Oh come on. You know what I’m talking about. If people found out you messed around with me they’d —”

“Don’t youdarefinish that sentence.” I clench and unclench my fists at my sides, but it doesn’t seem to stop the rage I feel. How could she think I’d be embarrassed for others to know we hooked up? It makes me want to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Doesn’t she realize how much I care for her?

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