Chapter 10
The crisp morning air invigorates me as I hit the streets, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I push myself to outrun my lust-addled mind.
If my old team’s administration could see me now, they’d be eating their own shorts. “Oh, she’s too distracted, short, tall, fat, thin, smart, stupid to be any good,” they used to sneer. Always some reason why I wasn’t good enough. And after I stood up for one of my teammates who was being harassed by a member of the management team? I basically kissed any chance of being in the starting lineup goodbye.
Well, I’ll show them. The call from this club couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ll work my ass off here and earn that starting position, respect, and maybe even help the team to earn a Victory Cup title.
As I round the corner, I nearly collide with a naked muscular god, who’s out for a run as well. I take in his rippling, tanned body and his tattoos, and gradually I realize they look familiar.
Fuck, it’s Noah, looking hotter than ever, clad only in a pair of gray shorts and running shoes.
“Sorry!” we both exclaim, my cheeks flaring redder than the rising sun that gleams off his glistening skin.
“No worries, Dylan,” he smiles, his abs rippling in the morning light as if they’re taunting me. “Fancy a run together?”
I hesitate, but he’s my roommate, and he’s asking me for a run, not a one-night stand. “Sure, why not?”
As we jog side by side, our breaths synced, I silently curse my stupid hormones for making me notice how his biceps flex with every stride.
I clear my throat, channeling my inner coach for some much-needed seriousness. “So, Noah, any tips for fitting in with the team or the club in general?”
He smirks, “Well, Dylan,” he drawls, “if you want to fit in, you gotta loosen up.” I nearly trip over my own two feet. “I meant on defense,” he clarifies, saving me from further mortification.
“You—you’ve seen me play?”
“Yeah,” he shrugs. “I got curious and checked some of your games out on YouTube when I was having trouble sleeping. You’re good, and I can see why you’re on the team. But you’re too rigid. You need to be more fluid.”
I choke on a mouthful of air. “Fluid?”
Noah laughs, “Relax, Dylan. It just means to go with the flow.”
We share a laugh, and for a moment, we’re just two players bonding over a shared love of the game. The sun’s rays warm my skin as we run, and I can’t help but think that maybe this won’t be so bad after all.
As we approach the apartment and part ways, I shoot one last glance at Noah’s toned back and his tight butt. Not to mention his massive thighs that could probably crush me to death without him even trying.
No harm in looking, right?
But when I turn around, Jayden and Killian are both there, suppressing grins as wide as the front door.
Damn. Already off to a great start, Dylan.
Killian’s eyes spark with amusement. “Enjoying the view, Dylan? Did we totally just catch you perving out on Noah?”
“Er, no, I just—“ I stammer, my cheeks on fire.
Noah comes to my rescue, his amusement obvious by the giant smirk on his face that I’d love to smack right off. “Sure, she was. I can’t blame her, though. This ass looks good from every angle.” He pats his own behind and winks, diffusing the tension.
“Mate, why don’t you and your over-inflated ego get a bloody room,” Killian retorts, shoving Noah playfully.
It’s like they make fun of whoever is the easiest target, and I experience a sense of relief as their focus turns to Noah.
Laughter erupts and, as I head to my room, I can’t help but feel a little lighter.
Maybe this living situation isn’t so bad after all.
I mean, with roommates like these, I have all the entertainment I could possibly need right here.