Chapter 13 #2
Most any other guy wearing that, I’d think he looks dumb, but not Ace.
Nope, he’s hot as hell in just about anything.
When he finally notices us, he does a double take, a slow smile sweeping across his face when our gazes lock, his dropping to my black T-shirt, lingering there. For a minute I think he’s just checking me out but then when his smile shifts into a shit-eating grin, I remember what my shirt says.
Future MILF.
I can’t help that I love a good silly T-shirt, but I’m particular too. I won’t just wear some dumb shirt for the sake of amusing myself or others. I have to really like it—I might even need to believe in it. I also need to feel a little cool when I wear it.
Natalie bought me this shirt when we first moved in together and I immediately loved it, because of course I did. Future MILF—definitely goals.
Gwen catches some footage while they continue to practice until Mattson blows his whistle, calling a water break.
“We’ll let them rest for a bit and then maybe you could go over there and grab all the guys we used in the video from last week?” Gwen’s brows shoot up, her expression hopeful.
“I can gather them up,” I tell her.
Gwen acts like a boss most of the time, so it’s funny how she gets nervous around the football players. Though I guess they’re pretty intimidating. Tall and broad and boisterous and confident. It’s a lot.
After giving them a few minutes, I walk across the field, stopping just in front of them and pasting on my brightest smile. “Hey, guys! How are you?”
They all offer me a halfhearted greeting and I realize these guys are still in a funk, which sucks. I don’t get it either. They should feel pretty good after pulling out a win Saturday. The game was close but they ended up on top.
Right now, though? I need them in a better mood to make this video.
“Can we get the guys who appeared in the video last week to film with us for a few minutes?” I glance over at Mattson, who’s observing all of us, his gaze narrowed. “If that’s okay with you, Coach?”
“Go ahead. Don’t take too long though. These boys need some serious work.” His voice is tinged with irritation.
Okay then.
There are a few groans from the group, but all six of the guys who filmed with us last week approach me with friendly smiles, including Ace.
“What’s up, future MILF?” His light blue eyes are twinkling as he stands directly in front of me but I choose to ignore him.
“Follow me, boys.” I wave a hand and they all fall into step behind me as I lead them to where Gwen is waiting. She has them stand in front of her and smile, even flex their arm muscles if they want and most of them do. With the exception of Ace.
“Trying to stay modest,” he tells Gwen with the utmost sincerity before she starts recording and I roll my eyes.
This man. He’s full of it.
Once Gwen is done, Mattson looks ready to get them back on the field, his fingers curled around his whistle like he’s gonna blow at any second. Ace stops right next to me before he rejoins the team, his head tilting toward mine.
“You should go to Logan’s tonight.” His voice is deep and sincere and I’m baffled.
Where did this come from?
“Why?” I fight the giddiness that rises at his request. I could assume he was asking me on a date, but requesting I meet him at a bar doesn’t qualify as a date.
“It’s Monday night. Half-price night.”
“So?” I mean, I love a deal like anyone else but come on.
“I don’t know. I thought it could be—fun.” I chance a look at him, steeling myself from the power of his smile. “We should catch up.”
“Catch up about what?” I ask warily.
“Anything. Everything. I like talking to you, Red.” He reaches out, his fingers curling around my chin, tilting my face up. “I like looking at you too. Whatcha think? Tonight, say around nine?”
What in the world is going on? Am I dreaming?
No. No, I’m not. I stare at Ace’s smiling face, my brain scrambling to come up with a reply.
I should say no. I don’t know what he’s about or why he’s asking me to meet him at Logan’s.
Is he trying to charm my panties off? It wouldn’t be too difficult for him to do. I try to look tough. Remain resilient.
But the way he’s looking at me right now, the confident smile and easygoing attitude, his warm fingers still curled around my chin, it’s enough to make me say yes and forget all about my earlier concerns in regards to this way too sexy man.
“Did you knock something loose earlier?” I ask, and he frowns. “When you took that hit?”
He chuckles, the warm sound winding its way through my blood, leaving me a quaking mess. I lock my knees together so my legs won’t give way. “Nah. I’m stronger than I look.”
I say nothing. The man definitely looks plenty strong.
“Why are you asking me to meet you at Logan’s?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe there’s the fact that you have an entire fan club at your whim whenever you want them?”
He presses his thumb to the corner of my mouth, his gaze hot as it lingers on my lips. I wish he wouldn’t stare at them .
Fine, I like it when he looks at me. But this is nothing! It means nothing.
“Can I confess something?” he murmurs.
“Okay,” I say, suddenly breathless.
“Can’t stop thinking about you since our last encounter, Red. I missed having you on the sidelines.” He pauses for a second. “You didn’t come to the game.”
“We were supposed to be there. There were—paperwork issues.”
“Uh huh.”
“I’m serious.”
“Okay, well, you need to come to Saturday’s game.” His voice is firm and he releases his hold on my chin.
“We’ll be there,” I reassure him, wondering if he’s for real.
How much does it really matter that I’m not on the sidelines? I think he’s just saying this.
“And you need to come to Logan’s. It’s half-off night. Everyone comes to Logan’s on half-off night.”
“Really?”
Ace nods, his gaze locked on my mouth. As if he’s thinking of the many things he can stuff in it. Or maybe that’s me having those filthy thoughts. “Definitely.”
“Do you go out and drink every night or what?”
“No.” He frowns. “I’m not a total party animal—not anymore. In fact, I’ve been drinking less this season. Treating my body like a temple.”
Ace waves a hand at his body for emphasis.
I roll my eyes. “My brother used to say the same exact thing.”
“Really?” He actually seems pleased by this. “Love that.”
“You would,” I mutter, glancing around, noting how Gwen is watching us .
I look away from her, not wanting to see the suspicion in her gaze. She’s already mentioned that she thinks Ace likes me, which I firmly believe is a stretch. He might want to fuck me, but like me?
I’m not buying it.
“Say yes that you’ll come to Logan’s tonight.” Mattson blows his whistle and Ace starts backing away from me. “Come on, Red. You know you want to hang out, at least for a little bit. Nine o’clock? I’ll save you a seat.”
“I have homework.” I always have homework, but I can work on it when I get home. There are still hours to go until nine o’clock…
Seriously though? I shouldn’t do it. I absolutely can’t meet up with this guy. I’m not interested in him like that. A casual thing. He’s the type who chews up a woman and immediately spits her out. And besides…
I get caught with him? I’m out of a job.
“Just say yes, Ruby Red. You’ll make my day. Oh, and stick around, will you? Pretty sure I’ll have a better practice today thanks to you.”
I don’t answer him, but we do stick around for the remainder of practice and he was right.
He played like a champ. They all did. I even overheard the pep talk Mattson gave them as practice was winding down.
“Don’t know what got into you boys today, but let’s keep it up.”
The pointed look Ace sent in my direction left me feeling helpless. I had nothing to do with their improved practice.
Did I?