Page 93 of Mad As Hell

“I get it,” I said, recalling that Ryan told me he’d grown up with Imani in the same circles when he’d told me about the teammates and some of their girlfriends. “I was a bitch. Worse than a bitch, but I’m trying to make up for it.”

“You think you can?” Imani’s brows lifted in challenge.

I met her gaze. “I think I’m trying. If that works for you, awesome. If it doesn’t…”

“If it doesn’t, what?”

I shrugged. “Then I guess we’ll sit here in silence for the rest of the season, because I’m not going anywhere. Either way? Get used to it.”

She watched me for a moment. “You know, this is the first conversation I’ve had with you where I didn’t completely want to claw your eyes out.”

A ghost of a smirk touched my lips. “Oh, goodie. We’re making progress.”

“We’re making something,” she muttered. “Look, my mama taught me that forgiveness is divine, but my daddy taught me that second chances are earned. If Rebecca and Ryan see something in you, then I’m willing to let bygones be bygones.”

“Okay,” I agreed.

“But,” she added, holding up a finger with a glittery blue nail that had been filed to a point as sharp as my stiletto, “if you hurt either of them? I’ll bury your skinny ass. And if you fuck with my man’s chances at going pro? They’ll need dental records to identify you when I’m done. Got it, princess?”

“Whatever you say, sunshine,” I agreed with an easy smile.

Her eyes narrowed. “I swear, it’s like you had a fucking lobotomy.”

“You’re not entirely wrong,” I murmured, turning to smile at Bex, who flashed me an adorable thumbs up as the guys ran onto the field. Energy swelled in the stands as people started cheering.

My gaze moved through the players until I landed on number ten.

Ryan ran in front of his team, leading them to the sidelines where they gathered. As the announcer had us stand for the singing of the national anthem, he removed his helmet, and his eyes searched the crowd until he found me.

The way his jaw dropped a little when he saw his jersey on me confirmed I’d made the right call. I grinned back and gave him a small wave. His shoulders shook with laughter as he turned away, shaking his head.

“I think you got his attention,” Bex told me as the song ended and we sat down.

Imani snorted “Honey, I think you’ve got everyone’s attention. Seriously, are you even wearing underwear?” She held up her hand. “Never mind. I don’t wanna know.”

I gave her an odd look.

Sighing, she explained, “Two seasons ago, I made the mistake of telling Eddiethat I hadn’t worn any underwear to the first playoff game. They won.”

I started laughing, knowing where this was going as Bex leaned around me with a frown.

“What does that matter?”

“Players are superstitious,” I replied, and Imani nodded. “If they think it’ll lead to a win, they’ll keep it up. Some players don’t change underwear or socks.”

“I didn’t get to wear panties for weeks.” A devilish smile stole across her face. “Not that it was all bad. My boy is hella creative when he’s given open access.”

I choked on a laugh as Bex’s cheeks turned pink and she sat back in her seat with a weak, “Oh.”

My attention went back to the field as Ryan and two of the Knights players stepped up for the coin toss against the Copper Field Vipers. Their black-and-gold jerseys made them look like devils compared to the Knights’ royal blue and white, and I knew from the way Ryan talked that this would be a hard game.

The Vipers and the Knights had been rivals for years, and last year the Vipers had won because Madelaine had hand-fed them information about the Knights’ plays.

By the end of the first quarter, both teams looked exhausted, and I’d bitten off most of my nails. The score was still at zero for both sides, and the Knights were within field goal range.

“Come on, baby,” Imani whispered, watching her boyfriend step onto the field.

Without thinking, I reached over and squeezed her hand. “He won’t miss.” Eddie Jones was one of the best kickers in the division. Last season he’d made a sixty-yard field goal to clinch a victory. This forty-four-yard field goal would be a breeze by comparison.