He was?
During a game, my world shrinks to the size of the field. I don’t want any distractions. Especially when the other team’s fans start chirping.
Why would Brayden bother?
There’s no way he’s interested in women’s soccer.
The more distance that gets eaten up between us, the faster my heart thumps beneath my rib cage. The way Brayden’s gaze stays pinned to mine makes everything inside me riot almost painfully. I draw in a deep breath, attempting to stomp out the attraction that has flared to life.
After our sketching session the other day, I’ve gone to great lengths to avoid being near him. It hasn’t been easy. It feels like everywhere I go, there he is, bombarding my senses and attempting to scale my walls.
I have to remind myself that this is all a big façade. We might be trying to fool everyone else, but I can’t allow myself to be tricked into believing this is anything more than a pretense. No matter how attracted I am to him.
As soon as we reach the guys, Coach pulls Demi into a hug and congratulates her for a hard-fought game. Then he does the same with me. I’ve known Nick Richards since freshman year. He’s an amazing father and they have a close relationship. My guess is that he’s somewhere in his mid-forties. And he’s not bad looking for an older dude, either. That thought always brings a smile to my lips, because Demi hates when I talk about him being a hot, divorced daddy, which only makes me want to tease her more.
As soon as Coach releases me, Brayden wraps his arm around my shoulders and tugs me close before pressing a kiss against the crown of my head. “That was an awesome game. You killed it out there.”
His praise shouldn’t mean anything. Brayden doesn’t know the first thing about soccer. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that this was the first game he’s ever sat through. And yet, knowing all this, it doesn’t stop the warmth from blooming in my chest before radiating outward.
I clear my throat and tamp down all of the unwanted sensations that are attempting to break through to the surface. “Thanks.”
“I’m excited to check out the next one.” There’s a pause. “It’s a week from today, right?”
Umm...what?
I tilt my head to meet his dark gaze before sifting through it carefully. I can’t tell if the question is for show or if he actually means it.
“All right guys, I’ve got to head back to the office. I have a few recruiting calls to make before I wrap up for the night.” Coach draws Demi in for one last quick hug before taking off with a wave.
“I bet you two are famished,” Rowan says. “We should grab something to eat.”
Spending more time with Brayden sounds like a disastrous idea. It’s only been a week and already something unidentifiable has shifted in our relationship. I’m not entirely sure what it means, but it’s enough to leave me rattled. Until I have a better handle on my emotions where he’s concerned, it’s probably best if I keep my distance.
“Does that sound like a plan?” Rowan asks when I remain silent.
I shake my head. “Sorry, I don’t think—”
“Oh, come on, babe,” Brayden wheedles, pressing me against his chest until I’m inundated with the spicy scent of his aftershave. It wraps slyly around me, cocooning my better judgment, making it impossible to think. “You worked hard out there. It’s important to replenish and refuel.”
With a frown, Demi cocks her head. “What happened to being famished? Isn’t that what you said when we were walking out of the locker room?”
Damnit.
I should have kept my big mouth shut. But how was I supposed to know that Brayden would be waiting, or Rowan would suggest a late dinner?
“It’s just that I have an assignment to finish up for tomorrow. I want to make sure there’s enough time to get it done,” I mumble, pulling the lie out of my ass like a magic trick.
“Don’t worry, we’ll make it quick,” Brayden says easily. “I’ll even help you with it afterward.”
Hell, no.
That’s the last thing I need.
The lines of our relationship have already blurred more than I’m comfortable with. I need to take a giant step back and get some perspective. Not that I’m in any danger of falling for Brayden, but still...
Stranger things have happened. The guy is to be avoided at all costs. He’s nothing more than a heartbreaker. Take Kira, for example. Once upon a time, she probably had her head on straight. Now look at her. She’s obsessed. There is no way I’d ever allow myself to become so crazy over a guy.
All right...I can admit that I’m physically attracted to him, but it’s nothing more than that.
“Are we doing this or what?” Rowan asks, gaze bouncing curiously between us.