Page 21 of Press Your Luck

As their voices faded away, I slowly removed my hand from Naomi's mouth. “I think we’re safe.”

She gave me a small push. "You didn’t have to manhandle me."

"I was just saving us both from lectures from Reed and Todd.” I kept my voice low to make sure they wouldn’t hear.

"Then maybe you shouldn't have challenged me to a drinking competition."

I arched a brow. “The bet was your doing.”

She huffed out a breath. “You didn’t have to take it.”

I stared at her, wondering what the fuck was going on in her head. “So this is my fault for accepting your challenge? You know how immature that sounds?” If I had any hope of touching this woman, that statement ruined it.

She glared at me. “You don’t understand.” There was heat in her voice, but in her face I saw vulnerability.

“So enlighten me.” I leaned against the table and crossed my arms.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”

"Reed is right. I have something to prove. I'm trying to show everyone that I can keep up with the boys, that I'm strong and resilient too."

My heart squeezed in my chest. I wanted to gather her close and hold her, support her. I was smart enough to know that was the wrong move.

I wanted to contradict her but knew that was wrong too. “Drinking me under the table wouldn’t prove anything.” My voice was softer now.

She shrugged.“Maybe that wasn’t the best way, but I’m sick and tired of people thinking I need protection. I saw that interview you did after we lost to you. You said you’d have pulled Big Ed too... like you wanted to help me not look bad.”

She wasn’t wrong about my intentions.

“I said I’d have pulled him too if he’d been playing like that.”

“We both know he wouldn’t have played like that for you.” She glanced at the door. I wondered if she was going to make her escape.

I hoped not. Right now, with just me and her in this room, I wondered if this was exactly what I needed. A moment away from prying eyes, where the lines between coaching rivals blurred.

“Even right now, you’re trying to protect me.”

I laughed. “I was protecting us both. Next time, I’ll leave you in the bar.”

“There won’t be a next time.”

I sighed, feeling disappointed by that.

“And if there is a next time, don’t manhandle me and treat me like an object you can drag around. I don’t need anyone’s help. I’m a good coach who knows what they’re doing.”

I didn’t like being called a caveman, and I went with my gut reaction to be defensive. “Hah. So much you know. Good coaches don’t sleep with their players.”

Her reaction was immediate. I was sure she was going to claw my eyes out. “You don’t know anything about me or my life. It’s none of your business.” She looked at me like I was lower than pond scum. “It’s pathetic how an old man like you is interested in my love life.”

It was pathetic. “It’s hard to avoid, sweetheart. It’s all over the news. There was a time when sports news was sports, not which coaches are hooking up with their players.”

I liked the anger in her. It stirred me up. It was the vulnerability that gutted me. She tried to stare at me in defiance, but there was no missing how much my words hurt her. I was a fucking asshole.

I shook my head, feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry, Naomi.” I hoped she could hear the sincerity in my voice. "Your life is none of my business. And as far as manhandling you, I didn't think it through. I just wanted to keep us both out of trouble."

She sucked in a shuddering breath. "Next time, maybe try talking to me first instead of taking matters into your own hands."

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