Page 94 of Mad As Hell

Surprise lit her face, then determination as she nodded and clutched my fingers.

As soon as the play was set in motion, Eddie ran forward with the grace and speed of a cheetah. His foot connected with the ball, and it tumbled through the air. Everyone in the stands held a collective breath as we waited.

It sailed through the goalpost with room to spare.

Imani screamed and leapt to her feet. “Way to go, baby!”

Bex and I shot up, too, celebrating with the rest of the fans as the teams reset.

I staggered back in surprise when Imani threw her arms around me. Her infectious smile made me giggle.

“I’m going to grab a drink,” Bex called over the shouting and cheering.

“Want me to come?” I offered, even though I really wanted to stay and watch the game.

She shook her head. “Want something?”

“Celery stalks?” I deadpanned, cursing Gary and his goddamn diet.

Bex made a face and took off up the stands. Ignoring the craving for junk food, I turned my focus to the game—the Vipers had thrown a ball that was intercepted by the Knights—when Ryan jogged back onto the field. I was too busy admiring his ass in those tight pants and didn’t realize someone was sitting next to me again until I turned.

“Bex, did—oh.” I stopped when I realized Charles was sitting in Bex’s seat. “You’re not Bex.”

“I’m not,” he agreed with a smile. “I just popped over to say hello to a friend.”

“Thanks,” I started, when Imani let out a squeal and launched herself over me and wrapped her arms around Charles.

“Charlie! What the hell, man? I thought you moving across the pond meant I’d see you more, not less.” Imani let him go and returned to her seat. She glanced between us. “You know Madelaine?”

“I do,” Charles replied with a smile.

“And you two know each other,” I deduced with a small, confused smile.

Imani grinned. “Our families go way back. I thought they’d never agree to let him leave that stuffy old boarding school in Oxford.”

“It definitely helped that your stellar academic career paved the way,” he told her. “Imani is going to be the best neurosurgeon on the West Coast.”

“He’s being ridiculous.” Imani rolled her eyes, but then grinned devilishly. “I plan to be the best neurosurgeon on the continent.”

“Well you’re on your way,” Charles confirmed before glancing at me. “Are we being horribly rude?”

“Not at all,” I assured him.

“I should get back to my seat,” he said, pointing a few rows up where I recognized some members of the soccer team. “I only wanted to say hello.”

“There’s a party tonight. You should come,” Imani suggested.

Charles glanced at me. “Will your fiancée be in attendance?”

“Probably,” I replied with a laugh. “He’s part of the team, so…”

“I swear, I don’t know what you see in him,” Charles mused, shaking his head.

“Hey, Ryan’s cool,” Imani argued.

“If you insist.” Charles stood to go, but Imani jumped up for one last hug.

“It’s good to see you, Charlie,” she told him as he kissed her cheeks.

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