Play Maker (Bitsberg Knights Duet)

“Well, you are the star player of the night,” I replied, giving him another easy smile, hoping it masked the mixed-up feelings racing through me.

The other players filtered out into the hallway, most of them with one of the women I’d noted waiting outside the locker room. So, they were wives and girlfriends. None of them gave me a second glance, though some of the players said a final goodbye to Ross as they passed by.

Ross ran a hand over the back of his neck as he watched the last of the parade go by. His hair looked darker than when we’d first met, the dampness still clinging to it from his post-game shower. A vivid image of him soaking wet under the hot spray from the shower rushed over me, and I squeezed my thighs together as I shifted my weight. Keep it together, Shelby.

“Whew. What a night.” Ross said, breathing out a heavy sigh that sounded like it was half exhaustion and half relief.

I smiled up at him. “You did great. You should be really proud.”

“Thanks.” He flashed a warm smile and my eyes went wide. He really was too hot. It wasn’t fair. I’d never been so off-kilter around a guy before. “So, you still up for a drink? There’s this quiet little bar not too far from here.”

I twisted my fingers together in front of me, still unsure what his intentions were, but agreed with a nod. “Sounds good to me. Something to take the edge off the chill.”

From the look in his eyes—there were other ways to warm up on a snowy night.

8

Ross

Scoring the winning touchdown had nothing on the feeling of having Shelby on my arm. There was something about her that made me feel completely comfortable and antsy all at once. She had a strange pull on me that was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. I wanted to know everything about her now, but I also wanted to relish getting to know her.

“What happened to your friend? I hope you weren’t by yourself for too long,” I said as I stopped to pull open the door for her. The night air instantly whipped at the back of my neck, and I regretted leaving the locker room in such a hurry that I’d left my thick winter coat behind.

Shelby tugged her own coat closer around her body as she stepped through the open door. “She has to work tomorrow and couldn’t stay out too late. She took an Uber home. Rayna doesn’t live too far from downtown.”

Secretly, I was relieved. I wanted Shelby all to myself. “I’m glad you stayed.”

Shelby glanced up at me as we walked down the sidewalk. “Me too.”

God, her smile was addictive. Those lips. The little dimples on either side. Damn. I was a goner. My mind had been racing for days, concocting all kinds of scenarios of how to get her alone. Now, walking down the sidewalk outside the stadium, I had her all to myself. My guts felt like a live wire flailing around, sparks flying everywhere.

Shelby rubbed her gloved hands together as we walked. “Damn, aren’t you cold?”

“I’m freezing. I left my coat to catch you before you left.”

“I’m sorry. Do you want to go back and get it?”

I rubbed my arms quickly, warming them up. “No, I’ll be okay. Ill kick up the heat in the truck.”

“Honestly, I don’t know how you play in the snow and wind like that. I was freezing to death, with a blanket and a coat!” she said with a laugh. “Weather like this is only good for one thing.”

My mind quickly filled in what I’d like to be doing.

“Blanket fort?” I asked, keeping the triple X-rated version to myself.

Shelby laughed. “I was gonna say chillin’ in bed, but yeah, a blanket fort could work too.” She glanced up at me and all the air left my lungs at the mischief sparkling in her dark eyes. “As long as there’s hot cocoa, I’m there.”

I chuckled and dragged a hand through my hair. “Good policy.”

We reached the end of the sidewalk, and Shelby came to a stop a step ahead of me. “Where are you parked?” Shelby asked, scanning the street in both directions. “I’m in that garage over there.”

I followed the direction of her hand before reaching for it. “Well, we’re going that way,” I said, taking her hand and pointing it toward a garage in the opposite corner. “I’m driving.”

“No arguments here. Hopefully, the street sweepers will be out by the time we get back. Even though I grew up here, I still don’t like driving in the snow,” Shelby said, eyeing the road conditions as we went up to the nearest crosswalk.

A few straggling fans were waiting at the light, and I hung back. There were guys on the team who would have loudly announced their presence, creating an opportunity to be rowdy and get compliments, but that was the last thing I wanted, especially in front of Shelby. I didn’t think it would impress her and would only serve to take time away from our night.