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His lips brush my ear. “You won’t regret this, princess.”

My breath catches, pulse quickening. I check around, but no one is paying attention to us. Still, I glare at Sebastian.

“Bran, we should head to practice.” Sebastian stands, stretching his arms over his head. His shirt rides up, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of toned abs. “Con, you coming as well?”

Connor nods.

“See you tonight, ladies,” Brandon waves as they leave.

“We should get going, too,” Mary says, standing up and shouldering her bag. “Professor Collins won’t be happy if we’re late.”

I gather my things.

He’s Gemma’s brother. Can we still be friends if I’m with her brother? This complicates everything.

How would Gemma react if she knew?

Now, I definitely can’t tell her who I’m seeing.

“Bash should be warming up somewhere.” Gemma cranes her neck to scan the players below.

I try to act nonchalant as my eyes sweep over the field. But… Where is he?

“There, number ten!” Gemma points him out as we find our seats in the stands.

Mary pulls out snacks and offers them to us while my eyes follow Sebastian stretching and warming up.

He scans the stands, and when his eyes lock with mine, a jolt of electricity runs through me. I offer a small wave, hoping it doesn’t betray my inner thrill, and his lips curl into a subtle smirk. He holds his helmet high in an unmistakable salute directed at us… or maybe just me?

It would be like a scene straight out of one of my novels—the knight dedicating his win to the lady. Just without the win.

“Did you see that?” Gemma asks. “Bash only does that for his favorite people. Knew I’m his favorite sister.”

“You’re his only sister.” Mary laughs.

Off-limits. He’s her brother. Untouchable.

“Doesn’t change the fact I’m his favorite,” Gemma says.

The stands buzz with energy, fans cheering and waving flags in support of their teams, and the scent of hot dogs hangs in the air.

“So, Jason and you?” Mary asks.

“We’re childhood friends.”

“You say that, but the way he looks at you and the way he acted at lunch. I don’t know, Lil. It seems more.” Mary says.

“It’s not like that. Jason’s like a brother to me.” But what if it’s true? Have I been blind to the way he looks at me? That wouldn’t be good because—No, it’s nothing. They don’t know Jason like I do. We’re friends.

The whistle blows, signaling the start of the game, and the players take their positions. Sebastian jogs onto the field, his athletic physique on full display. He moves with such confidence and purpose that I can’t take my eyes off him.

And when he glances up at the stands again, his gaze smoldering, I know I’m in trouble. Because no matter how much I try to deny it, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Fantastic. What am I getting myself into?

The roar of the crowd is deafening every time a point is scored. I try to follow the action on the field, but it’s all a blur of bodies colliding and whistles blowing.

“So, what exactly is happening?” I lean over to Gemma.

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