Page 148 of Falling Offsides

“Feels warm to me.” Jayden rolls his eyes, turning around with a nod to the large bowl in my hand. “What’s that?”

“None of your business,” I retort.

“Doesn’t look like none of your business. Doesn’t smell like it either…”

Courtney snort-laughs under her breath. I flash him my middle finger.

“Rude…” He faces the doors, taking an interest in whatever Eli is scrolling through on his phone. “Why are you still watching that video?”

All six-seven-feet of him straightens beside Eli’s lean-muscled six-five frame. When you see the two of them next to each other, it makes sense that they are impenetrable. They’re giants.

“Just… I don’t know… watching tape.”

“You’re doom scrolling The Wolves page. What are you looking for?”

“How we’re gonna end them this season,” Eli states as the doors open to the garage.

That was weird. But I get why Eli is obsessed with The Wolves. We choked to them in the Conference, and it’s an embarrassing truth we will never forget. Thinking about it kills me inside.

Jayden claps Eli on the back. “Come on, Preacher. Let’s go.”

They head towards Eli’s G-Wagon while I follow Court to my Lexus.

I open the door for her, hand firm on her lower back as I help her in and after she’s buckled her belt I place the dessert on her lap. The second I shut her door and slide into my seat, I reach for her.

“Come here, Snow.” My hand cups her jaw, and I pull her to meet me in the middle. “I call you beautiful because I can’t take my eyes off you.”

With a quick nip to her pouty bottom lip, I take her mouth before she can argue.

It’s not gentle.

Because if she can’t accept my words, I’m going to make sure my actions back them up.

Coach’s backyard is bustling.It’s the third year Coach has hosted the team at his place, and like last year, it’s become bigger. Kids are running around with water bombs and super soakers, some of the guys are engrossed in the baseball game on the outdoor TV while the wives and partners are gathered on the lawn.

The scent of grilled meat and wood smoke hangs in the air as I glance up from the outdoor pool table and find Courtney watching me. Her smile is soft as she stands next to her dad by the grill. She looks so at ease that it makes me wonder if given the chance or reason, would she stay? In LA? With me?

It seems silly to miss something that’s right in front of you, but every time I think about her leaving, my chest hollows out.

“So what do you think?” Matheo nudges me with his elbow.

“Huh?”

“Dude, where’s your fucking head at?” he grumbles into our circle while Dylan looks over his shoulder, directly at Courtney.

He says nothing, but when his blue eyes meet mine, they’re narrowed to accusing slits. I swear I can hear him yell at me in his head:Daughters, sisters, and mothers are off-limits, asshole!

“We got Colorado, Vegas, and Chicago preseason. I was expecting Portland… like it would be interesting to see where The Wolves are at after last season.” Matheo keeps scrolling through the announcement. “They got Boston, Utah, Vegas, and Seattle.”

“The Wolves are our opener, it wouldn’t make sense to have them preseason,” I say, forcing my eyes to stay on the light beer in my hand rather than on my girl.

It doesn’t work for long. Especially when she walks by with that smile I can’t get enough of.

Her fingertips lightly brush against my hand as she brings over a tray of fresh burgers and a charred tofu-dog for Eli.

The instant she sits opposite me, next to Dylan’s daughter, I know I’m in trouble. I can’t stop myself from stealing glances. Under the table, my foot accidentally nudges hers, and a current passes between us.

Eventually, she allows Lily to convince her to join the Surprise Pong game across the yard. There’s a reason only the kids, rookies, and drafts play it—it’s fucking disgusting. Last year one of the guys was so sick, he had to be treated for dehydration.

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