“Maisie Delacroix?” he asks.
I nod, offering him a small smile and my hand to shake. “Nice to meet you, Coach Taylor. I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me. I know how busy this start of the season is.”
“It’s my pleasure.” He smiles before crossing his arms over his chest. “The coaching staff and I are big advocates for our players giving back to the school and community. This community does a lot for our program; the least we can do is support other OU programs that are giving back. Especially when it comes to the kids.”
My stomach does a happy little swirl upon hearing that, and a wide grin breaks out on my lips. “I’msohappy to hear that. This… This program and these kids mean a lot to me. I had the privilege of getting to know a lot of them during the summer,and it was truly a joy. I know they’re going to be so excited to meet the guys in person for some of the events we’ll be collaborating on.”
The small space at the corner of his eyes crinkles as he smiles. It feels like a real, genuine one. “Absolutely. I’m sure there’s some things we need to go over to get the ball rolling?” He pauses, his gaze drifting off somewhere behind me before he says, “Ah. Perfect timing.”
My brow wrinkles in confusion as he continues. “Just who I needed you to meet. Maisie, I’d like you to meet our new assistant coach, Wilder Hawthorne.”
I slowly turn as Coach Taylor continues speaking, but my pulse is suddenly pounding so loudly in my ears that I hardly hear him over the woosh. “He’ll be taking the lead on behalf of the team on this project with you.”
My heart is thrashing and my stomach twisting so tightly that I feel like the floor might be swaying beneath my feet.
Wilder Hawthorne isn’tjustthe Hellcats’ new assistant coach.
Oh no.
He’s also the man who took my virginity in the bathroom of a bar two weeks ago.
The one I left without even a goodbye.
The man I haven’t stopped thinking about since that night.
The handsome stranger I had no intention ofeverseeing again.
I guess fate had other ideas.
CHAPTER
THREE
WILDER
What thefuck?
My feet are rooted in place, my stomach hurdling down in the same direction, every single limb on my body completely frozen. Somehow, I manage to keep my mouth from falling agape from the shock coursing through me.
I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been stunned to the point of being speechless. Growing up in the fucked-up world that I did, you quickly learn that the worst is always going to happen.
Notif, butwhen.
Adjust and lower your expectations, and nothing will ever surprise you.
But there was no way I would’ve even seen this coming. Never in my wildest goddamn dreams.
And trust me, there have been far too many dreams since that night about the tiny blonde standing in front of me with those wide blue eyes, her cheeks flushed pink to match her full, pouty lips. Lips that I kissed until they were red and swollen and bruised.
What in the actual fuck is happening?
Did she know who I was that night, did she fuckingseekme out? It wouldn’t be the first time a woman has, but fuck, that means I got it wrong.
“You look shocked,” Coach Taylor says to her with a low chuckle, angling his body toward her as she steps aside, her gaze still planted on me like she’s unable to remove it. “That’s been a lot of people’s reactions recently to meeting the superstar here.”
My jaw steels, the muscles working, his words slithering down my spine as if they’re not meant as a compliment from the man who’s my new boss.
Her brow cinches together, confusion evident, and her eyes flit to Taylor before she clears her throat. “S-superstar?”
