But it looks like we have to work through the entire goddamn roster, their dates, and the coaching staff—aside from her father—first.
Finally, the universe gives me a break.
This time, the doors swing open, and my patience isrewarded when the most stunning woman steps out of the shadows, wearing a burgundy satin gown that was made to be worn by her.
Holy mother of God.
My lips part, jaw lowering, and my breath halts in my lungs as my eyes fall onher. The beating in my chest skips, and my body warms a thousand degrees in her presence.
Flexing my hand at my side, I try to get my racing pulse under control, but I fail.
She’s everything beautiful about this world.
I wet my lips, entranced by her as her stiletto-heeled steps click into the room. Her smooth leg parts the split of her burgundy satin gown, making me harden as I watch how high the slit runs up her smooth thigh.
Her long lashes flutter as she searches the room, a determination in her gaze. The romantic, long waves of her hair are pushed off her shoulders and pinned back from her face with gold barrettes that sparkle beneath the glowing lights.
She looks ethereal with the gold and soft brown makeup, highlighting every facet of her beauty.
I don’t even realize how unabashedly I’m staring, and in this moment, I don't think I could physically tear my gaze from her if I tried.
Anyone in their right mind would be looking at her—they simply couldn’t help it. Just like how I can’t bring myself to look away.
Even though every part of her styling is soft and demure, there’s a sharpness about her tonight, a seriousness in the way her shoulders are set.
I doubt anyone can clock it, but I notice it with ease. The way her jaw is sealed shut, clenching every so often.
I would chalk it up to anxiety and nerves if I had seen this reaction from any events she attended before.
Something’s different this time, and when her piercing eyes latch on to mine, a shiver runs through me as I register the look in her eyes.
Recognition.
Anger.
But there’s another emotion beneath it, an anguish that I desperately wish I could explore. Before I can dissect it further, she looks past me,through me, as if I weren’t even here at all.
That cuts me deeper than I’d like to admit, the ache growing as a blade rips across my chest.
“Dude,” Casper scoffs in disbelief, elbowing my ribs and bringing me back to reality. “Are you trying to get kicked off the team?”
“I barely looked at her.” My automatic defensiveness comes out, but I haven’t even averted my gaze, still watching every rise and fall of her chest.
Cas and I both know how atrocious of a lie that was.
Her stare is burned into my mind, and I summon all my willpower, finally closing my eyes, and mentally focusing on something else. Which almost immediately proves impossible.
I tap my fingers atop the table and sigh, trying to analyze the emotion I saw in her gaze.
She looked at me like I had personally wronged her.
Does she know the truth? Did she figure it out somehow?There’s no way.Or does she just hate Bates Finnegan that much?Maybe.
“Why don’t I get you a drink?” Cas asks, patting my back.
Probably a horrible idea to mix alcohol with my weak resolve right now. I might get onstage and confess my love for my coach’s daughter in front of the entire organization. I shouldn’t—I really shouldn’t. It would be a terrible idea.
“Sounds great. Surprise me. I’m going to take a leak,” I mutter under my breath, my gaze to the ground as I stride away from the guys before they can say anything else.
