I turned and ran, sprinting for the tunnel, the tiger head wobbling, foam paws thudding against the turf. The roar of thecrowd followed…screams, laughter, the echo of his voice chasing me down the field like a fire I couldn’t put out.
The kiss still burned through the mask, seared into my skin, into my pulse.
And beneath it, one thought pounded hard and undeniable in my head.
I don’t think Matty Adler is ignoring me anymore.
CHAPTER 12
MATTY
“Ican feel you staring at me,” I said without looking up.
The tape around my wrist was slick with sweat. I pulled at it slowly, the edges catching on my skin.
Jace didn’t even try to deny it. “Hard not to when you just made out with the mascot on live TV, Matty-kins.”
The locker room erupted. Towels smacked against benches, someone whistled, and Parker’s laugh rolled above the noise.
“You’re one of us now,” Parker said, his voice full of smug satisfaction. “Welcome to the club of men who’ve lost their minds over a girl.”
I dragged a towel over my face, not bothering to respond.
Garrett snorted from across the aisle. “Difference is, your girls didn’t have fur.”
Jace grinned. “He’s breaking new ground. I’m proud.”
I shot him a glare, but he just grinned wider, that pretty-boy, golden-hair-falling-in-his-eyes grin that made Riley forgive him for saying shit like that.
“Her name’s Ophelia,” I said reverently.
I hadn’t stopped saying it in my head since I heard it shouted down the tunnel during the game.
It rolled around my brain on constant replay. Every syllable had its own pull. Soft, dangerous. Beautiful. Just like her.
Ophelia.
It was ridiculous how much power a single word could have. How her name alone could make me feel something claw its way up my chest like it belonged there.
Jace whistled delightedly. “Is that the same girl you met in class a few days ago? The one I witnessed you screaming after like a lunatic as she was walking away?”
Parker laughed under his breath. “Wait, that was her?”
I didn’t answer, which was answer enough.
Jace shook his head with a grin. “Her name and a public make-out in one week? Impressive,Matthew. I wouldn’t have thought you had it in you.”
I scowled at him. “Need I remind you I have multiple stalkers? Obviously, I have game when it comes to women.”
“Then why does she keep running away from you?” Garrett mused.
“And why has your parking lot stalker been a no-show as of late?” Jace pointed out.
My scowl deepened at that reminder. Although, it had been hard to remember anything about that with Ophelia taking up so much room in my mind.
Parker tossed me a bottle of water, and I caught it without looking. I twisted the cap and took a drink, preparing myself for whatever mockery I was going to get next.
Jace leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees, that grin turning wicked. “So, what’s the plan, Adler? You gonna lurk outside the tunnel until she shows up? Steal her mascot head and keep it as a trophy? Sleep with it under your pillow?”
