Page 60 of Game Changer

She sucks in a breath.

Desire flares to life, the flickering flame of attraction becoming a roaring inferno. It’s not the kind I’m used to, a shallow heat that fades as fast as it burns.

I give a shit about her.

Give so many shits it’s a wonder I have any shits left.

“After the game,” she starts, “you were a prick.”

“You’re right,” I admit.

“Next time, say, ‘Nova, my knee hurts like hell, and I’m in a terrible mood.'”

“I didn’t like seeing you in his jersey.”

She cocks her head, surprised. “What was I supposed to wear?”

I take her chin in my fingers, lifting it so she’s forced to look me dead in the eyes.

“Wear mine,” I murmur. “Next time you wear a jersey to a game, you fucking wear mine.”

Her eyes widen.

I can’t give her what she deserves because my career comes first, but for a second, I imagine being the man who could.

We stand there staring at each other until music rings out in the yard below.

“Nova!” A woman’s voice calls from somewhere in the house.

Nova jumps. “We should get back out there.”

I want to lock the door and lose myself in this girl.

I want to let myself imagine there’s a world where someone sees me as I am, as I could be, and neither of those have anything to do with my busted knee or how many points I score.

I step back to let her past, and she starts toward the door. “Clay?”

The way she says my name makes me want to drag her back and slam the door behind us.

“Yeah?”

Her lips curve. “Thank you.”

I’m so fucked.

16

NOVA

“That was some barbeque.” Mari sighs as she sinks into an overstuffed chair in front of the fireplace later that night. “Do you think the mayor had a good time?”

“How could he not?” Harlan offers with a smile.

“I wanted Clay to charm some of them,” she says, and my attention perks up. “He wasn’t very accommodating. Maybe he’s incapable of charm.”

“Or maybe it’s not his job.”

Two sets of eyes land on me.

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