14
Natalia
I sat in the locker room staring into the mirror. I had wiped the blush from my cheeks and pulled the fake lashes from my eyelids until I recognized my reflection.
I didn’t know why I stayed as long as I did. Most days I was the first girl out of here, but I kept thinking about Sam. Who he was. What he almost cost me. Did it even matter to me?
Heather sat next to me. “Pres told me you two talked.”
She caught me off guard. “Just a little.”
“You and Sam Hickson?”
“No,” I corrected her. “There is no Sam and me. It wasn’t what you thought. He tried to get my number and walked me to my car. Nothing happened.”
Heather smiled. “I know I made you go last night, but maybe I wasn’t clear about some things.”
“And what things are those?”
“Goddesses have responsibilities. We have a legacy to uphold. And sleeping with a Wrangler isn’t on that list.”
“But—”
She held up her hand to stop me. “I know your car, Natalia. It was there when I left the bar. You didn’t leave when you said you did.”
Shit. I felt the color drain from my face. “Are you going to tell anyone?”
“No, but you aren’t either.”
“No, no one. It never happened.”
She pulled me into an unexpected hug. “It certainly didn’t.”
I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disgusted. Was this blackmail, or girl bonding? I was confused. She smelled like hairspray and sweet perfume. Unlike me, she was in full makeup.
“Thanks, Heather. I mean it. I appreciate you keeping this between us.”
“Sure thing. It was a mistake. We all get one pass. You’re new to football and to the Goddesses, so I can see how it would happen.”
“Heather, I have a question.”
“Hmm? What’s that?” She sat back.
“If you knew who he was, why did you let me leave with him?” It had been ea
ting away at me since Presley told me about the Wranglers in the bar last night. Every single one of them had known who was buying the drinks except me.
I was the only Goddess who didn’t know we were in a room full of the opposition. I was swept up in Sam. I was mesmerized by his eyes and arms. Was it that obvious to Heather? I waited for an answer.
She squeezed my arm. “You were having fun.”
My eyebrows rose. “You let me jeopardize my job for fun?”
“How did I know if he told you he played for the Wranglers? You’re a big girl, Natalia. I didn’t know you were going to leave with him. I might be the captain, but I’m not going to interrogate every guy one of my girls talks to and ask him what his intentions are. That’s breaking an entirely different code.”
I tried to avoid rolling my eyes. There were so many damn codes I couldn’t keep them straight.
“Did the other guys mention it? Did they tell you they played for the Wranglers?” I asked.