Page 29 of Game Changer

I shouldn’t say yes. She’s Harlan’s family, or practically, which means I can’t trust her. Plus, Jay’s right that I need to focus on my game and not get distracted by a pretty face.

But she’s a lifeline.

I’m surrounded by my guys, but I feel alone.

Clay: I’m coming.

I pocket the phone.

“Wait, where you going?” Miles calls as I shift out of the booth.

“Out.”

I signal the waitress to tell her to put the team’s drinks on my tab, then I head out of the bar without a backward glance.

8

CLAY

She told me to park on the road.

Evidently the list of things I’ll do to get under Harlan’s skin won’t include showing up at his door to take out his future sister-in-law tonight.

Most of the fancy communities around here are gated, but this one isn’t. I pull up at the foot of the driveway and send a text to let her know I’m here. I cut the engine but leave the radio on, turning over what happened earlier at the bar.

I want to win—I have to—and this team isn’t my ticket to a championship. Harlan won’t admit it, but he’s not stupid. He knows it, too.

The passenger door opens, and Nova shifts inside in a blur of pink.

“Going down the drainpipe looks way easier in movies,” she pants.

She’s silhouetted by the interior lights. Her black yoga pants and long-sleeved shirt hug her curves and give cat burglar vibes. “Seriously?”

“No. I snuck out the back.”

Then with a click of her door, we’re in darkness again.

Her scent is light and a little smoky, like some desert flower, and I resist the temptation to lean over and inhale.

I start the engine and pull into the street.

“Cute car. Electric.” She runs her hand over the dash. “I didn’t realize these were available yet.”

“They’re not.”

“But they are for Clayton Wade.”

She’s teasing me.

“I get what I want. On and off the court.”

She laughs. “Wow. What is that, like a line?”

“No. It’s the truth.”

“If you really get everything you want, you should look happier.”

I cut a look over at her, but she’s all shadows.

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