So I came straight to the media room. Micah was here already, legs up on a chair, tapping something into her phone when I walked in.
“You hiding or sulking?” she asked without looking up.
“Both,” I muttered, dropping my kit bag against the wall. “Heavy on the strategic avoidance of all human interaction.”
“Perfect. You’ll love what’s coming.”
I gave her a look.
She smirked, sitting upright. “Captain Charming should be here any minute.”
I groaned and began pacing the edge of the room instead of sitting. My muscles were too wired.
I really was grateful the earthquake had missed us. Our stadium was intact, gym untouched. Lucky. But I didn’tfeellucky. I felt cornered.
Deciding to sit, I plucked my phone from my pocket and scrolled through rugby division updates, caught a few highlight clips for the upcoming debut season, then clicked into a video breaking down the New York Ravens’ new high-intensity pre-season block. Just as their captain started explaining tempo shifts, the door swung open… and in walked the one person who could ruin my afternoon just by breathing in my direction.
Connor O’Riley, golden boy of the Knights, captain of the boys’ club, and current thorn in my side. I hadn’t seen him in over a year—not properly. Just the odd glimpse at press events or award nights. And that was deliberate. I didn’t need the distraction anyway. Or the history of our rivalry to be dragged up, but here we were.
There he stood in my new stadium with his signature swagger like he owned the damn air around him. I only gave him acursory glance, but that was enough to notice him. Dark hair, always perfectly messy enough to look like he just rolled out of someone’s bed—probably because he had. His eyes were darker than should be legal, giving him an air of mystery I knew most girls fall ass over tit for. And don’t get me started on his thighs. The man was built like a freight train with legs carved by some vengeful rugby god—thick, powerful, and on display at all times, thanks to his obsession with training shorts that barely clear mid-thigh. I’d bet he doesn’t even own full-length pants.
He hadn’t even said anything yet, and already the irritation simmered under my skin, crawling up my spine like a heat rash.
“Morning, sunshine,” he drawled, with a hint of an Irish twang, not too much, but everyone knew he used it to his advantage on multiple occasions. Mostly because, his reputation often preceded him with women.
What an endearing quality to have projected to the world, that when you walked into a room, people talked first about your bedroom abilities over your professionalism in sports.
I shuddered at the thought.
“Micah. Good to see you again.”
She nodded and smiled at him. Technically, she’d never had an issue with him in college, but she did have to listen to me go on and on about how much he pissed me off.
I didn’t bother looking up from my screen again. “You’re late.”
“That desperate to see me, huh?”
I released a quiet scoff, avoiding his eye contact on purpose now. “Please. I was hoping you bailed so I could do this without having to look at your face.”
He dropped onto the seat beside me with a grunt, legs sprawling out like we had all the space in the world. One of his knees knocked mine, on purpose obviously, and I shifted away without looking up. This wouldn’t be a meeting he’d win on charm.
“Aw, come on, Teddy. Don’t pretend you haven’t missed me.”
I finally glanced at him, just long enough to shoot him a look that could set off a fire alarm. “Like a dentist drill in both ears.”
He grinned like I handed him a compliment. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why he was smiling at all. “That’s affectionate from you. You going soft on me?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, my patience evaporating rapidly. “Do you ever get tired of hearing yourself speak?”
He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Nope. I’m delightful.”
“Delightful,” I deadpanned. “That’s what you’re going for?”
“Some might say irresistible.”
My chin jutted in protest. “Yeah, well, I’m notsomepeople.”
He waited until I looked at him this time, then gave me a wink. “Give it time.”
