I’m scared and frustrated because Justin will be here today, too. My family won’t be the only ones I’ll have to deal with.
Already dressed in my uniform, I’ve also layered on body makeup so no one notices the bruises. My lip is healing, but it’s still sore and split a bit. Thankfully, the swelling has gone down.
Ruby walks in and halts when she sees me. The hurt in her eyes is nearly my undoing. I want to confess everything, but I can’t. I won’t pull her into my trouble. She doesn’t need Justin’s focus on her.
After the team all gathers around, and the coach gives her speech, we stride out to the pitch as one. My family screams my name, and I try to smile, but it’s forced.
Glancing toward their voices, I see them sitting in the stands with Paris and Justin. Even my gigi came to take in the match. A flush of emotion speeds through my chest, and everything tightens. In the past, my mother only came to a few matches before declaring it was too violent to watch, and she was afraid I’d get hurt. My gigi doesn’t show up often anymore because of her health, but surprisingly, I notice Lucian sitting with his guys. Hammer is right beside him, and Lucian tips his head to me. Blushing is unavoidable. I turn back around to follow my team.
As the game proceeds, we are up in points. I’m all homed in on the pitch, and for a short time, my aggressions get worked out on the opposing team. Ruby and I are on a roll; we each score a couple of times. The other girls must feel my drive and push themselves hard as well. As a team, we win, and while we’re jumping around in victory, Ruby stops to point at my neck. My hand flies up, realizing the makeup must have smudged off, revealing my bruises. Other girls stop to look, too.
“It’s nothing. We did this.” I point to the cheering crowd, but when I turn to find my family in the stands, Justin just stares me down. He realizes what Ruby saw. He made me swear no one would know. I turn back to my team and give them the me I should be all the time. The strong, independent woman. “Don’t worry about me; let's celebrate this.” We all huddle up and hug each other.
Returning to the bench, I snatch a towel and wrap it around my neck so my family doesn’t notice the damage. They come down to see me with Justin, while Paris stays back with Gigi. I need to keep an eye on her. You never know what Paris might do. Justin hasn’t broken it off with her, and she’s likely infuriated that he’s telling everyone we are getting engaged. I can’t stop him from talking. Shit, I can barely stop him from forcing me into a relationship with him.
My parents rush over and hug me close, both congratulating me. Justin pushes his way in, and when he wraps his arms around me, I try not to cringe away.
I can’t help but let my eyes peruse across the space and find Lucian looking toward me, but he’s scrutinizing Justin as if he’s a bug under a microscope. Even beneath his beard, it’s easy to see that his jaw is clenched tight. One of those veins in his forehead throbs, and his pretty sky-blue eyes stare Justin down.
I’m worried about what’ll happen when Lucian ambles over to us. He holds out his hand to Justin and says, “Your beautiful girlfriend is an amazing player.” Justin studies the hand as if it’s a snake, leaving Lucian hanging there for a moment, but then decides to give in.
“She’s a pretty good player,” he replies, laughing it off, but then his next words stop me cold. “This will have to be her last game, though. She needs the time to plan our wedding.”
I tug away from Justin and shake my head. “No, you…” Words seem to fail me, but my father steps in.
“You haven’t even proposed yet or asked me for her hand. I think she can complete the season at least.”
Justin’s the one with the tensed jaw now, and his fingers bore into my side. Lucian notices.
“By the way, I’m Judge Knight, Ruby’s brother.”
I reach out my hand, acting as if we’re just meeting, to give him a firm shake. As soon as Lucian’s palm slides against mine, my heart rate accelerates, just like the other night when he touched me. It feels like I’ve encountered a live electrical wire. The hitch in my breath can’t be quelled, and Justin notices.
“Hello, Judge. I’m Justin Branchard, of the Providence Branchards. As you heard, Evelise will soon be my fiancée. We got back together recently after taking a short break.”
“You’re a lucky man. Any man with Evie on his arm should keep her and treat her right.”
“Exactly,” Gigi says as she slowly hobbles over to us. Her slow, limping movements from sitting in the bleachers remind me of Justin’s threats. She looks at Lucian. “Knight, as in the Knights of Jupiter?”
It’s so difficult to suppress a chuckle from Gigi using Justin’s line against him with Lucian’s name.
“Yes, ma’am. And you are a lovely lady?” Lucian flirts with Gigi, who titters, and I drag my top lip between my teeth. My parents take in the mild flirtation, and Mom mimics me, trying not to laugh.
“Young man, keep your flirting for my granddaughter. I’m Georgiana Rezos.”
“Mrs. Rezos, you’re as beautiful as your stunning granddaughter,” Lucian continues, and Paris scoffs.
“What? Do you think he’s lying or something?” Gigi looks at her, calling her out.
She starts to stutter. “Uhm…well… I mean. It’s just a lie, isn’t it?” Paris looks at Lucian.
He shakes his head. “No, all three of the Rezos ladies are very beautiful.” He includes my mother, who smiles at him.
“Thank you,” Mom blushes.
“I’m Cameron Rezos, and these three ladies are mine. This is my wife, Beverly.” My father holds out his hand to Lucian, too. “I agree, they are all incredibly beautiful. I knew your father, young man.” I’m shocked by the comment and glance between them.
Justin says, “I think Evelise should go change so we can go to lunch. I have reservations in town for us.”
