Seb pulls me closer. “Lili doesn’t mind me,” he smirks, giving me a nickname I might not hate.The guys chuckle at his overconfidence. His gaze flits to Jodi beside me, who’s taking in the scene quietly. “You don’t mind me either, do you,querida?” His Spanish endearment, along with the following wink, makes Jodi’s face flush.
Knowing she’s shy, I divert his attention from her. “Stop flirting with my intern.” I jab him in the stomach.
His faux expression of pain causes everyone to rumble in laughter. “You wound me, Lili. It was you I was flirting with.”
A smile at his antics makes a home on my face. God! He’s too charming for his own good. If he weren’t three years younger than me, I might’ve gone for him. But at twenty-four, I feel older in ways that have nothing to do with age.
I feel an intense gaze locked on me, making awareness trickle down my spine. I swivel my head only to find Ezra shooting daggers at Seb and me.
My brows furrow at him.What is his problem? Is he ever not scowling?
Choosing to ignore him, I turn my eyes back on Seb and glide out of his hold. Patting on his chest, I make my last move. “Well, buddy, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you believethis is flirting, then you might need a lesson or two in it,” I smirk as all the other guys cough to hide their chuckle, but end up laughing at Seb all the same.
“Teach me, Lili. I swear I’ll be a good boy for you.” He whispers. His innuendo is not lost on anybody, my eyes squinting at his cheekiness.
Before I can say anything else, a large hand grabs his shoulder and takes him away. “Enough fucking around. Let’s practice,” Ezra reprimands Seb with a scowl on his face.
Seb is about to say something when Noah elbows him and gives him a subtle shake of his head.What was that about?
Ezra directs his glare at me. “Stop distracting my boys,intern,” he grunts. Mocking me, knowing full well I’m not an intern.
Oh, he didn’t just say that. Before I can shut this asshole up with the heel of my stilettos, preferably lodged in his throat, Noah intervenes, “Yeah, that’s enough. Let’s go, Ezra.” Noah drags him away, saving his friend from a very painful and imminent death.
The coach arrives and demands that the players get into position. They give it their hundred percent, losing themselves in the rushof the game, while Jodi and I get in as many good shots of these sweaty men as possible.
Yet, I still can’t help but mull over the asshole’s words, my insecurity creeping in. They hit too close to home. He doesn’t even realize the effect his words have on me.
It’s been twice in one day now when I’ve had to relive some of the worst moments of my life, all because people don’t think before they speak.
It’s me who needs a fucking distraction.
Three
Kaeli
2 years ago
The locker room smells like defeat – sweat, damp tape, and silence. The kind that sinks under your skin and festers.
The reporters have already left, cameras have been packed, and the buzz of post-game adrenaline has been replaced by the hum of tired fluorescent lights. There’s hardly anyone in the locker room either.
Except for him.
He’s still here.
Ruminating and simmering inresentment in the face of loss, as he sits slumped on the bench.
Ezra’s still in half his gear, his jaw clenched tight, and frustration etched across every line of his face as sweaty hair falls over his forehead.
It’s clear today’s loss sits heavily on his shoulders as the team captain. It was just last week he took that C. Even though I hate him, I want to console him, offer him words of comfort, though I doubt I’d have any that’ll bring him solace.
So, I stick to my job. My job today is simple: get a short clip for the team socials. Nothing dramatic. No emotion. Just the right words, the right tone – so the fans would see composure instead of chaos at the transition of leadership and loss.
Ezra finally gives me the opening. “Make it quick, intern,” he mutters under his breath.
I nod and begin, keeping my voice even.
Professional.
