“What are you doing?” I question as I narrow my eyes at her.
She tilts her head at me like it’s obvious. “Going to the bathroom. Is that okay?” She crosses her arms over her chest.
I tilt my head to the sky.
Fuck me.
I don’t need to see that.
Most people don’t speak to me. They avoid me, and I can’t blame them. I’m not the warmest guy to be around when on-season. I don’t have the patience for small talk and I’m not known for sugar-coating things. People keep their distance besides those who know me well, and honestly, that suits me just fine.
But then there’s Mae.
She doesn’t recoil when I shoot her a sharp comment or an infamous glare. If anything, she fires right back with that smart mouth of hers. I’d want most people to back off, but a part of me enjoys the back talk with her.
It’s like she knows how to handle me.
I find it endearing.
But I remind myself I need to keep my distance.
“That’s fine with me, princess.”
Her eyebrows hike up at the nickname.
It’s what I’ve been calling her in my head since I found out she was Renee’s daughter.
“Princess? Why the hell am I a princess?” She looks taken aback and places her hands on her hips before jutting them out.
“You’re related to the queen.” I roll my eyes. “That makes you the princess.”
She doesn’t look impressed, bordering on offended. I just know she’s going to come back with something, and I tilt my head to the side, waiting. Why the hell do I enjoy teasing her so much?
After a few seconds, a cocky smile finds its way to Mae’s face. “Right. Well, Nate—oh, can I call you Nate?”
My eyes flare. “No.”
“Good. You took quite a hit there, Nate.” She laughs. “Sure you’re not suffering from a concussion or something?”
I fucking hate that nickname, and she knows it. She’s clearly done her research. A part of me is flattered.
Still hate the nickname, though.
“Football is a contact sport. I’m used to it.”
She nods to my chin, eyes rounding just the tiniest bit. “It’s still bleeding.”
I wipe it with my sleeve.
“Well, that’s a sure way to get an infection.”
“Nothing a little dirt can do to me, princess.”
Mae’s jaw flexes as I step back. “Don’t call me that.”
I move past her, shaking my head, a tiny chuckle slipping out from between my lips. “That’s a hard pass.”
I can feel the steam radiating from her, hitting my back.
