Page 48 of The Game We Played

“That’s literally the definition of showing off.”

I step closer. Her breath catches.

“Careful,” she says lightly. “You’re still mic’d.”

I glance down. “…Right.” But I don’t step back.

“I’ll keep it clean.” I drop my voice. “But I’m thinking it.”

Coach blows the whistle again. “Back on the field!”

I start to jog off the field before pausing and turning back to Alaia. I drop my voice. “Still think I’m nothing more than a goofball?”

“You’re a veryfastgoofball.”

“I’ll take it.”

“Oh my God, this is amazing,” one of the PR assistants whispers from behind us.

Belinda groans. “He’s supposed to be talking about football.”

“Long!” Coach snaps. “You done flirting?”

I don’t look away from Alaia. “Never,” I whisper to her before raising my voice. “Coming, Coach!”

I jog back onto the field and the next drill starts. I focus on the field, on the game I love. On the game that saved me from my family.

I force myself not to look at the sideline. I don’t need to. I know she’s watching.

Alaia doesn’t know it yet, but things are changing between us.

Chapter 15

NFL BAD BOY CLEANS UP. AND BRINGS A DATE Insiders call it “Surprisingly sweet”

Alaia

Tanner knocks on the bathroom door. “The limo is waiting downstairs. Are you ready?”

Am I ready? Good question. I’m dressed in a fancy floor-length gown that glitters more than the floor ofBootleggerafterMermaid Karaokenight. My hair, make-up, and nails are perfect since a team of stylists showed up this afternoon to dress me. On the outside, I’m ready.

On the inside, not so much.

This is crazy. I don’t belong at a charity ball on Tanner’s arm. This is not me. I don’t even own a pair of heels. I wear flip-flops and torn jeans. Maybe a dress if I’m trying to impress someone.

“Alaia, are you okay?”

The concern in his voice has me reaching for the door. “I’m okay.”

He rakes his gaze over my body and growls. “We’re not going.”

“What? After everything we’ve been through? We flew to New York. You rented this obnoxiously expensive suite. You bought me this dress, I’m afraid to ask the price of. I spent the day getting plucked to within an inch of my life.”

“Don’t care.” He scowls. “I’m not going to spend the entire night fending men off you.”

As if. “You wouldn’t.”

“Have you looked in the mirror? You’re gorgeous. You’re going to be the most beautiful woman at the ball.”