Steam rose, swallowing the chill.
For the first time all night, I let myself breathe.
And I didn’t stop until the water ran cold.
CHAPTER 24
MATTY
Breath steamed in the air, mixing with the tang of turf spray and the metallic sting of cold wind. The crowd’s roar crashed and rolled through the stadium, thunder trapped inside a steel drum.
And I couldn’t focus to save my life.
Because Ophelia was out there, dressed head to toe in orange fur and way too much school spirit, standing near the cheer squad with a flag balanced against her shoulder.
I’d never been attracted to the tiger before finding out it was her…or really thought anything about it…but now it was all Icouldthink about.
“Adler!” Parker barked. “You plan on joining us or just freezing in place while you stare at your girlfriend in a fur suit?”
“Shut it,” I muttered, adjusting my gloves.
“Translation,” Jace said, jogging into position. “He’s thinking about the tail again.”
I rolled my eyes. “At least mine wags when she sees me.”
He groaned. “Fuck. We’re playing a football game, not starring inAnimal Planet: The Love Edition.”
The whistle blew. First snap.
The ball hit Parker’s hand, and I took off downfield, the cold biting through my pads, lungs burning in the frigid air. The rhythm should’ve been automatic—run, cut, turn, catch.
Except I couldn’t stop looking for her.
She was by the sideline now, waving the UT flag.
Watching me.
Always watching.
Our eyes met, or maybe I just felt it, and she raised a paw, forming a giant heart over her chest.
My cleat snagged the turf.
I stumbled once, then face-planted so hard my helmet bounced.
The crowd gasped…then groaned.
“And down goes Romeo!” Jace yelled, jogging over. “What was that—graceful falling practice?”
“I slipped,” I muttered, spitting out turf.
“Sure,” he said. “Slipped on herlove.”
I pushed to my feet, ignoring the ache in my jaw. When I looked over, she was still standing there, paws on her hips, and I could just picture her trying not to laugh.
My pulse kicked.
Yeah, she was definitely laughing.
