Page 95 of Changing Rules

She tugs me closer and kisses my cheek. “I missed you so much. I’m so glad you’re back.”

“I missed you too,” I murmur.

We take our seats, and I survey the field. I wait for my knee to bounce, for my hands to become clammy, for my heartbeat to skyrocket, but I’m awash in nothing but contentment and a little excitement. With a smile, I relax into my seat and wait for the game to start. Long hours in therapy, talking to Dr. Khan about my past, and manifesting a new life have all helped me get here, along with the determination to break my old habits.

Finally, I’m the version of myself I’ve always wanted to be.

CHAPTER 26

JELLY, ARE WE?

XANDER

August

Drewand I stand in the tunnel, waiting for the rest of the team to join us. I was too agitated to stay in the locker room. My pacing was getting to the guys, so I came out here and paced instead. They probably thought I was nervous about this game against the Wolverines, but my nerves are frayed becauseBella is here.

“How do you feel?” Drew asks, leaning his back against the wall.

“Fine.” I rake a hand through my hair. “I think.”

He chuckles. “Youthink?”

Head bowed, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’m fine when it comes to the game. The Wolverines don’t stand a chance against us. You know that; I know that. Statistics know that too.” I scratch my scruffy cheek, eyes wandering around the tunnel. “But I’m a total mess when it comes to her.”

“I figured.” Drew claps a big hand on my shoulder. “My advice is simple: Do your best. Lead us to a win and go find your girl. But you gotta do it in that order. This anxiety? Whether it’sabout the game or not, it’s seeping into all of us. You kinda make us all nervous. Do you get it?”

I blow out a breath and nod. “I do.”

He’s right. As a captain, I’m responsible for my team. I am its heart, my teammates the soul. I can’t let my personal life interfere the way I did last year.

Marco joins us, smiling from ear to ear.

His expression only makes me more determined. I want to win this game. When I finally see her, I want to do it as a winner, not a loser who flushed the game down the toilet because he let his emotions consume him.

The sound of cleats approaching signals it’s time for the game, and honestly? I am so fucking ready.

Breaths sawin and out of my lungs, my heart thundering in my chest. The hair on my arms stands on end, and I swear my tattoos move across my skin. We’re seconds away from a win. All we’re doing now is running out the clock. We played great offense, took every opportunity to score, and the opportunities laid themselves out in front of us like a map.

Coach calls a time-out to give us a minute to catch our breath, so I head straight for a fresh water bottle and chug half its contents.

I douse my head with the rest and run my hand through my damp hair. Without my permission, my focus drifts to the stands, to the section where Meg usually sits.

Shit. I quickly look away and focus on steadying my breath. I need my head in the game, not in the stands.

“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?” Miller’s voice in my ear grates on my nerves.

I clench my jaw and move closer to Drew. I won’t let Miller throw me off my game.

“The moment I heard she was here, I knew I needed to see her.”

I snap my head in his direction.

“I plan to ask her out after the game. Take her to dinner. Take her home. Isabella knows how to relax me, how to worship every one of my sore muscles…how to ride my dick like no one else can.”

“Fuck off,” I grind out, focusing on Coach.

“Jelly, are we, Walker?” With a laugh, he leans in close. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you know if she’s learned anything new. She always was such an insatiable little whore.”

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