Page 30 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

A hint of a grin graces Eli’s face as he walks to the side. I watch him, mesmerized, wondering what it would feel like to be loved as much as Elliot Carson loves the game.

The rest of practice is intense. One player throws up and goes back to drills like it’s normal. Another pulls a hamstring and continues to practice through it. But watching Eli in his element is something else. He’s fierce.

Sadness flows from my head to my heart, squeezing my chest at the thought I never took the time to watch him play. I bet he was a thing of beauty.

I’m still lost in thoughts of why I never saw him play long after everyone has left. I’ve got my earbuds in, placing the basketballs back in the rolling cart, and honestly, this gig is better than I expected. So far, most of my job is just ticking things off a list.

Bending to pick up the last ball, I jump out of my skin when large hands reach down beside me and grab it before I can. I jerk up, coming face to chest with Eli. That damn cinnamon smell slams into me, making my stomach clench. I move my gaze upward, taking out my earbuds as I meet his eyes. They sparkle with something sinful and I have to bite back the urge to beg for his tongue in my pussy. It doesn’t seem fair I haven’t experienced it.

“Almost done?” He quirks a brow.

My palms go to my hips. “I was, until some big head came in and tried to distract me.”

He smirks, tossing the ball into the cart with one hand, his eyes never leaving mine. Show-off. “You hungry?”

My stomach flips at his question. You’d think I’ve never hung out with a man before. I do want to, but I know I shouldn’t.

“I don’t know…”

“Come on. I don’t bite.”

“I beg to differ,” I quip before I can stop myself.

Eli’s eyes darken, the smirk sliding off his face. “Only one way to find out.”

His voice is deeper. Huskier. A thrill zips down my spine and settles in between my legs.

I reach for my hair, grabbing my neck instead when I realize it’s in a bun. “Ain’t there some rule against it, anyway? Won’t it look bad for you to be seen with me?”

He shrugs, running a hand through his locks. “Probably. I don’t know, I guess I didn’t think of it that way. I just thought maybe we could talk about how today went. How you thought I did with them. That’s all.” His jaw clenches as he slightly shakes his head. “It’s stupid. I’ll just call Connor.”

I cock my head as I watch him ramble. Is he nervous? He seems almost vulnerable. Or maybe I’m just reflecting the emotions I try to hide. Either way, I can’t find it in me to say no, even though we both know I should.

“Okay.”

His posture relaxes, and he bites his lip as he grins. A thousand fireflies light up my stomach. This is not a smart decision.

But it’s never felt so good to act so dumb.

17

Eli

Asking Becca to go to dinner with me is the stupidest decision I can make, but the words spill out before I can suck them back in.

Friends.

If I can keep it to just that, then I’ll consider it a win. The truth is there’s a nagging insecurity scratching at my insides, threatening to swallow me whole. My heart pumps faster at the thought that I wasn’t good enough—didn’t live up to everyone’s expectations. Again. There’s no ulterior motive to my offer, I really do want to talk about the first day of practice. How I handled my first day as a coach.

It’s stupid.

I should just call and meet up with Connor. Or Sarah. But they weren’t there, and I‘m not interested in another person who will just tell me what I want to hear. Becca’s the only one who won’t.

“Where you wanna go?” she asks.

I shrug. “Wherever is fine with me.”

“There’s a good spot about ten minutes from here that has the best burritos.” She pats her stomach and grins. Sparks burst through my chest at her smile.

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