“No contact, huh?” Dark eyes glanced my way.
I shrugged.
“The way they pushed her to the ground.” She moved her fleece headband to cover her ears. “Yeah, we’re done playing around.”
If we thought we’d get to come out here and play for exercise and a bit of fun? Well, after Kanami lost yards, that dream died.
Liesl caught the ball and got thrown into the mud. For my turn, I was shoved out of bounds—barely missing the bench as I stumbled around it—a yard short of first down.
On fourth down, we huddled up and decided to go for it. Maddox’s hand found my shoulder as we broke. "Was a little too rough, that play. You all right?"
"Perfectly fine." I shrugged him off.It's not like you care,I reminded myself.
He nodded, that tight look still pulled at his features. "Hey, you can throw, right?"
"Seriously?" I scowled up at him.
"Football's different."
"My brother, remember?"
His eyebrows lifted. "Right, he coaches. "
"Would’ve been disowned by now if I couldn't throw a damned football."
His mouth slid into a smug grin. "Warm up the arm."
"Gee, Mick, when you ask so nicely, how can a girl say no?" I threw him a look, but he just chuckled.
"Glad you're ok," he said.
"I hear I'm stronger than I look."
After our initial offensive drive down the field, the game became grudge match central. Which had fun moments, like Danny flipping a lateral pass to Kurt, who then threw to Liesl to keep our offense alive. Mick faking a run play before throwing long.
It’d been so exciting. Add in the cheers from the crowd, and a few hints of sun, and the day really came to life.
During a short water break, Kurt gave us a quick tutorial on marking, so we could maybe not-completely-suck at playing defense. He looked like he was enjoying the opportunity to stand close to Quinn. She hip checked him off balance, and we all got a good laugh.
"At least one of us gets to flirt," Liesl grumbled.
"Down, girl." Kanami patted her on the shoulder. "It's supposed to be for fun."
"And charity." I threw in, shivering as I moved back toward the field. I twisted left and right as I walked. Paused to stretch at my hamstrings. That’s when I caught sight of Mick over my shoulder. He stood alone, hands tucked in the handwarmer at his waist.
Even without his football pads, he cut an imposing figure. At least six foot two and those shoulders definitely checked the box on broad (and mouthwatering), Maddox was sharp angles and dark features. And the most amazing blue eyes.
From the very first moment we met, there was this "pull." I wanted to know him, know more about him. And then being in his arms…
I shook away the thought.
He'd been honest, at least.Can't put me first.Maybesomeday, years from now, I'd be able to look back and be thankful he didn't waste any more of my time.
Unlike Ash.
And still, I itched to go to him, wanted to stand beside him. We'd been friends, once, but when he left, I lost that part of him too.
I paced back and forth inside the kitchen as Ash howled my name, slamming his fist against the door.
