Page 3 of Playing Games

If she ever decides to give me the time of day, I’ll have to ask her.

“Blake, is this your locker?” Julia asks, her soft whisper turning into a trill of interest. “Can we look inside?”

I laugh. “There’s nothing exciting in there, I promise.”

“No sweaty game-day socks you refuse to change?” Ace hedges, waggling his eyebrows.

“No.”

“What about a jock strap you’ve used since you started here?”

“What exactly is your obsession with poor hygiene practices, Ace?”

“I just figured you’d be superstitious.”

“I’m too good to be superstitious.”

“Hell yes, you are, you cocky son of a bitch,” Ace replies, his mouth curved so high it threatens to brush his damn forehead as he loops an arm around my shoulders and jostles me side to side. I roll my eyes and laugh, waving Julia away from my locker.

“Come on, Jules. I’ll show you my locker another time if you really want to see it.”

Ace runs back to grab her hand and pull her forward again, and we’re off to the races at a run to make it out to the field in time. I follow the curve of the golden dragon that’s painted on the tunnel wall, grazing it with my fingers as I lead the way just like I have for every home football game this year. Without the roar of the waiting crowd at the tunnel’s end, it feels a little different.

The delusional part of me thinks tonight’s version is even better, and that’s all because of one specific girl and a whole lot of unfounded optimism. Lexi Lou Winslowtreats me like the scummy dirt on the bottom of her shoe, but tonight, if I have any say in it at all, that’s going to change.

Golden blond hair shimmers in the moonlight atop the girl of my dreams’ head as she scrolls through her phone, checking people in. I study her closely, willing my racing heart to calm down a little in the hopes that I won’t come off as a total fucking dweeb.

It’s not like I’m some virginal schoolboy, for shit’s sake. At twenty-one years old, I’ve had more pussy than Garfield. Girls flock to me, throwing themselves at the Dragons’ star quarterback every chance they get.

But Lexi Winslow is a whole other level of intimidating. She’s brilliant and beautiful, and, so far, after an entire year of trying to get on her good side, she wants absolutely nothing to do with me.

I smile.God, I love a challenge.

There’s a line in front of Lexi waiting to check in, but after a quick glance at my watch and a bump in the back from Ace, thethree of us play cutsies with little to no remorse. There’s a groan or two until a couple of people see it’s me and use their elbows to shut up their friends.

There are perks to being the quarterback at a sports-obsessed university, star power being one of them. I wouldn’t normally be the type to use it to my advantage, but when it comes to face time with Double C’s fearless leader, I’m shameless.

“Hi, Lexi,” I greet, my voice warm.

“Blake Boden,” she says in return, just barely glancing up from her phone. “You’re checked in.”

I grin. “How are you tonight?”

Her hands pause at her phone before her gaze slowly lifts, and even though they’re filled with annoyance, I’m thankful for the intimate view of her baby blues.

“Busy.”

I smile. “Is that a subtle hint to leave you alone?”

“No.”

“No?”

“It wasn’t subtle.”

She’s so fucking incredible.

“Okay,” I agree easily, ignoring Ace’s obnoxious laugh behind me. “We’ll catch up later, then.”

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