The Match (Championship Romance #3)

Chapter 1

Sebastian

I’m seated at the table, enjoying dinner with my best friend and his family, when the mistake happens.

“You could do your project on me,” I say, instantly regretting the words, but also knowing there is no way back from here.

Why the hell did I do that?

Lily turns toward me with a breathtaking smile that makes my breath catch.

Christ.

I’m in so much trouble here.

And I just added to that trouble, big time.

“Really, Sebastian? That would be amazing,” she says, not detecting the inner turmoil I’m currently dealing with.

No wonder she doesn’t catch on. Hiding my feelings from this girl has become my specialty.

Her brother, my dear best friend, Luke, seems to appreciate the idea as well.

“Yeah, that would be great, Sebastian. And then I wouldn’t have to worry about some jock going after my sister,” he chuckles.

Hell.

I’m actually going to hell.

He would probably not be as pleased if he knew just how much I would do for his sister. I’m probably not much better than those jocks he talks about, but at least I would never disrespect his sister or our friendship.

That’s why Lily Hastings is off limits, and she will continue to be so.

She’s the sister of my best friend, and that line can never be crossed.

That’s why I’m sitting here, contemplating the stroke I must have suffered when I proposed that she could do her sports psychology project on me.

There is no other reason I would volunteer for this.

This is a disaster waiting to happen.

As part of her final assignment in college, Lily is supposed to follow an athlete and gather information through interviews for her paper.

She will follow an athlete and conduct her own research into their psychology and performance. Lily was supposed to cover a female tennis athlete, but she just pulled out on her.

This leaves Lily without an athlete just two days before she was supposed to start her project.

As a pro athlete, I blurted out the suggestion before I could stop myself.

And now I must suffer the consequences of my actions.

I play professional football in Europe, more specifically in London.

Even though my fellow Americans like to call me a traitor, I am living my biggest dream over the pond.

And now I invited Lily Hastings to spend the next six weeks together with me, in London, alone.

Christ.

I need to fix this mess.

Preferably, take back my offer.

As soon as the thought occurs, I cast a look at Lily.

For the first time since we sat down for this dinner, she genuinely seems happy again.

She’s always been a carefree and cheerful person, and her frustration was evident for a situation she couldn’t control.

I could never turn her away. I care too much about her to hurt her.

She’s someone I consider a good friend, and her defeat over the situation tore at me as I sat there, thinking I could help.

So even though it may test my restraint, I decide that I will do this for her.

I want to help her—as her friend.

Because that’s what we are. And friends help each other, no big deal.

～

“All ready to head back to Europe?” Luke asks me.

I’ve just finished packing up my suitcase, which luckily wasn’t too much bother.

Whenever I make the trip back home, I try to pack light, and seeing as Lily will be coming back with me, I’m sure she’ll bring enough weight for both of us.

“Yeah, your sister will probably maximise our luggage allowance,” I say, a smile breaking out at the thought.

Lily Hastings likes dressing up, and it shows.

Ever since I realised that I would be going through with this, the anticipation has been brewing.

Wondering about how this will all play out.

Lily’s been bouncing around ever since I provided a solution to her problem. Seeing her joy and excitement is all the answer I need to the question if this was the right thing to do.

It might test me, but I know she appreciates it.

My phone rings, and just like the three other times this week, the number is unknown.

I know who’s at the other end of the line, though.

I sigh and silence my phone before putting it back into my pocket.

Luke catches my expression, grimacing when he realises.

“She’s still bothering you?”

She being a girl I was stupid enough to hook up with a few months ago.

We were out celebrating a good game result, and I was dealing with some complicated feelings about Lily.

I’d just seen her at a gala in Australia and was fully intending on acting on my feelings when Luke interrupted our moment.

When I got back to London, I tried moving on from this crush once and for all, and my first step was to hook up with someone.

It’s safe to say the plan was shit.

Not only did I find the first girl who could resemble her in looks, but I found someone who clearly knew all about who I was, but pretended she didn’t until it was too late.

I hooked up with her at the bar, and when she wanted to take it a step further by calling me by both my names, without me telling her, I realised she might be more of a fan than someone I could bring home.

I tried to politely turn her down, but she’s been bothering me, to the line of harassment ever since.

Sometimes, it will be weeks between her trying to contact me, but then she will pop up again.

“Yeah. I might have to change my number, again. This is getting ridiculous.”

Luke gives me a sympathetic look. I’ve changed the number twice already, but she always seems to find a way to contact me again.

“She hasn’t shown up at the complex yet?”

He’s referring to the apartment complex where I’m living.

Ever since the clinginess started, I decided to move to a more secure building with more safety measures, in case she decided to take it a step further.

“God no. And I really hope it stays that way.”

It’s not like I fear for her, but it’s not a good feeling having someone try to gain your attention and affection when you’ve made it clear that it won’t happen.

“Let me know when you get that new number, then,” Luke says, chuckling.

I shake my head at the absurdity of the situation.

I just wish I had never met her, to be honest.

“I will.”