Page 18 of Offsides

At the sound of his loud exhale, she stood and looked him dead in the eye. “Is there a problem?”

“You tell me. You’re the one who just sat there the whole half, playing on your phone. I somehow expected you to be a little more…enthralled…”

“Well, not all of us can be jumping up and down like a maniac, now can we?” she shot back.

Her comment caught him off guard. It wasn’t the first time she’d sassed him—hell, it wasn’t even the first time today. He just never seemed to expect it out of her. He also liked it way more than he knew he should, leading him to wonder what else she had up her sleeve.

“I’m passionate.”

“That much is very clear. And if you must know, I was making notes. You know, as is my job.”

“Do you ever just enjoy the game you’re attending?”

“I’m not paid to enjoy games. I’m paid to know what happened and to then talk about it.”

“Right.”

It was the only answer Cowboy could come up with. What exactly did one say to that? He had no idea how one could attend a game—any game, in any sport—and not be totally caught up in it. That either took a discipline Cowboy was pretty sure he didn’t have, or meant that she was really just that much of an ice princess. Based on their interactions thus far, he would guess the latter.

He turned his attention to the stands, his eyes scanning along the fans, decked out in their Atlanta Rising colors. Their excitement was palpable. He really was living the dream, and every inch of him was thankful for it. Silently, he said a small thank you to the universe for giving him this. For letting him live such a life. He knew that not everyone was as lucky as he was, and he didn’t take a second of it for granted.

The crowd burst into cheers, and Cowboy’s gaze flew to the big screen, catching the replay of Liam’s massive save. Fire rose in him again, seeing the play slowed down to enhance the moment. It was one of the most beautiful saves he’d ever seen.

“That was quite the save,” Theo said, her beautiful voice cutting into his thoughts. “For as big as he is, the kid is very quick on his feet.”

“He is. I was very excited when Gunnar told me Liam was interested in joining us here. He was wasted in Dundalk riding the bench.”

Theo nodded, tapping away at her phone. Cowboy shook his head, amazed at just how unaffected she was. They were literally sitting on the bench, watching the most beautiful game on the planet. How was she able to stay so calm?

“Seriously, how do you watch that save and not want to shout? That was incredible.”

“I just said it was a great save,” she answered with a huff.

Theo shrugged one shoulder, her eyes meeting his. The bright lights of the stadium gave them a sparkle that, while artificial, still lit a fire in him.

“Tell me this,” he said, feeling suddenly inspired to get into her brain. “You’re at a game, any game. And you witness what is easily the all-time greatest play. You still wouldn’t cheer?”

“No. I’m not paid to be a cheerleader. I could lose my media credentials if I did.”

Images of Theo in a cheerleader’s outfit flashed across Cowboy’s mind. Her long legs in the tight little skirt, her tanned midriff peeking out from under the short hem of her top. He swallowed hard, reminding his dick to behave.

“Are you always a rule follower?”

“Yes.”

The train horn sounded, stopping Cowboy from taking this conversation any further. To some place he probably shouldn’t. Holding up a hand, he high-fived each player as they paraded back onto the field for the second half. The smiles on their faces sent a rush through him. They were just as amped up as he was. They were ready to win this game.

Forty-nine minutes later, the Atlanta Rising had done just that.

A beautiful throw in by D.B. Elliot landed perfectly at the feet of Chance Walker, who was backed right up against a Toronto defender. Cowboy slid to the edge of his seat, trying to get a better view through the tangle of bodies in front of Toronto’s goal. Chance wasted no time in flicking the ball into the air, over him and the defender so closely guarding him. A split second later Dash bounced the ball off his chest, volleying the ball higher. Cowboy’s heart leapt into his throat as he watched, sure that their striker had placed too much behind the kick and that it was headed straight to Toronto. But in a whirlwind move, Dash spun around, leaping into the air and making contact with the ball in a textbook bicycle kick. The supporters lost their minds, erupting like a volcano as the ball soared over Toronto’s keeper’s head, hitting the back of the net.

Cowboy launched himself out of his seat, fists in the air. With less than a minute left in extra time, the Rising were up one-nothing over Toronto. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a movement he wasn’t expecting. He twisted to look at Theo, who was once again tapping away at her phone. In this moment she was the picture of professionalism. But he knew what he saw. Or at least he was pretty sure.

Theo Kappas had reacted to that goal.

Chapter Seven

Walking into Bunz, Theo took a deep breath, trying to tamp down the giddiness that was threatening to escape. The feeling was a one-eighty from the last time she was here, when she’d been so nervous part of her thought she was going to throw up. She was also confident that this time, there wouldn’t be anything thrown at her either. At least, she sincerely hoped that was the case.