Page 97 of Game Changer

My foot brushes something—her leather jacket. I bend to grab it and toss it out of sight.

“And you couldn’t tell me another way?”

“I didn’t want anyone to see.” He hangs his head in shame. “Can I come in?”

I rub a hand over my face. “Hold on.”

I go back to Nova. I lean over and murmur in her ear, “It’s Rookie. I’ll tell him we’ll talk tomorrow.”

She grabs the waist of my pants. “Clay, this is important. Talk to him now. Otherwise, he’s going to lie awake all night feeling terrible.”

“Maybe he should. And I can keep you awake all night feeling better than you’ve ever felt.”

Nova reaches up to caress my neck. “As tempting as that sounds, I don’t want to come between you and your team.”

I want to tell her to forget him. Except…

She's so understanding.

It’s part of why I like her so damn much.

I take her face in my hands and brush my lips over hers. “You’re a good person.”

She smiles. “I know. Now you go be one, too.”

25

NOVA

Isneak a look at my phone before takeoff.

Grumpy Baller: Wish I could be there to hold your hand on the flight.

Nova: I’ll grab on to Brooke :)

Last night, he took my idea of a date, doused it in gasoline, and set it on fire.

By the time I got back to my room, I stared at the ceiling and relived the entire night, starting with how he made me come in the limo and ending with the way he dropped to his knees and spread my thighs, licking me like it was the best part of his entire year.

At the time, I figured I was doing the right thing by taking a rain check on a night of sex with the hottest man I’ve ever met. But now, I’m mentally slapping myself.

“He’s going to be a bear all week.” Brooke drops into the seat next to me, tossing her braids over one shoulder.

I force myself to focus. “Jayden must take the loss hard.”

“Not Jay. Miles.”

I cock my head, curious. “Can you talk him down?”

“I could, but I won’t. When he’s in a shooting slump, candy works best. I’ll send him gummy bears. How was your date last night?” Brooke leans in. “Sorry, your ‘nap.’” She makes an up-and-down motion with one hand, and I laugh.

“I went with him to get a new tattoo.”

“If a boy took me to get a tattoo, he wouldn’t get another date.”

“No, it was my idea. And it was incredible.” I get dreamy thinking about it. “He even let me pick it out.”

“Okay, that’s kind of cute. So, where’d you make him put your initials?” Brooke lifts an eyebrow.

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