Page 57 of Who's Saving You
She leans closer, her voice just low enough for me to hear. “You’re quieter than I expected.”
“Just letting them talk,” I say. “They get themselves in trouble without even knowing it.”
“Strategic.”
“Always.”
She tilts her head. “You like control.”
“On the field? Always.”
Her gaze drags down my face, lands on my mouth. “And what about now?”
I smirk. “Right now, I’m trying not to lose it.”
She laughs softly, fingers tracing the condensation on her glass. “That’s sweet. Almost sounds like you care.”
“Oh, I care,” I say, leaning in just enough that my voice drops low. “Just not about playing fair.”
Soba snaps out, “Yo, Warrior! You running plays again?”
“Strategizing,” I shoot back, still grinning.
“Uh-huh,” he says. “It’s what you're good at.”
Noelle bites her lip to keep from laughing, and I’m gone again. She doesn’t even need to touch me this time. She’s already under my skin. It's amazing how easily she fits here with everyone. I didn't think twice about bringing her tonight, and now that she’s here, I don't have a care in the world, and I know I’ll hear about it from these two fools tomorrow. It’s okay. I can’t deny it. I’m not so slowly falling over the edge for her.
Just before the check comes, Loving announces he and Valentina have to jet out early. They're heading to meet up with his family, who came in for the weekend, so we all give him a bit of shit for it.
Loving tries to bail himself out. “Rookie rule, first round draft buys.”
“Bro, we all make millions,” I fire back.
“Yeah,” Soba replies. “But mine’s New York millions.”
“Then by all means, pick up the check.”
Noelle laughs. “You three are ridiculous.”
“Guilty,” I say, and lean in close, “Don’t you dare think about throwing your card down.”
“Oh, I’m not. Seems you three wanna pose for the biggest dick.”
I retort, “No posing necessary."
We say goodbye to Nico and Val, and I feel kind of sad. I don’t know when I'll see him next. Our schedules have us playing opposite each other. But we make plans for the off-season. I shake hands with Valentina; she and Noelle exchange numbers, and it feels good. Noelle and I aren't anything to each other, but the fact that she and the girls hit it off feels good. Because maybe itcouldbe something.
Another drink later, we wrap things up. I stand, holding Noelle’s coat out for her. My hand brushes her back as she slips into it.
She turns, eyes bright, voice low enough to be dangerous. “You handled yourself well tonight, Saint.”
“Thanks,” I say. “Though I think I lost the battle of self-control about three tequilas ago.”
Her smile curves slowly. “Then maybe stop fighting so hard next time.”
I lean in close enough for her perfume to drown out the room. “Careful,” I whisper. “I play to win.”
She meets my eyes, not even pretending to be innocent. “Good,” she says. “So do I.”
