Chapter 5
Chapter Five
MADDOX
Charity Flag Football Game
When I returned to the sideline, a miracle had happened. Three women sat on the ground, alongside Sato and Kurt—the whole group stretching. I recognized one as being from the basketball team. Should be able to run and catch.
Danny fluttered near the newcomers, his mouth running faster than his running-back legs. His man bun wobbled in the breeze. I wanted to cut it off. "Hey Mick, these are our better teammates, come to save the day." He pointed at them with a clipboard.
"Misha invited us," a dark-haired girl grunted as she pivoted in a hamstring stretch.
The woman of the hour stepped forward and took the clipboard from Danny. "Don't look at me like that, Mick. I got this whole thing covered." Her mouth tucked up on one side and her head bobbed from side to side. "You just gotta have faith."
I gave her a nod, my eyes straying across the field to the freshmen group running drills. We were still two girls short, and they had a whole squad—including subs. Several top scholarship female athletes…
My elbow ached. I flexed my hand and turned away. This was dumb. If we forfeited, not only were we on the hook to embarrass ourselves, but I’d have to listen to Seager for the rest of the semester—and all summer at the junior league camp we’d been asked to coach.
Beaux Seager. The captain of the freshman team cupped his hands around his mouth as he shouted at his players.
The guy wore a hachimaki tied around his blond hair, and the heat coming off his forehead in this cold could’ve been steam from his fiery temper.
He had an inch or two of height on me, but with my hand-to-hand combat training, I could take him in a fight. Can't be the one to start it.
Misha patted my arm and held up the clipboard. “Gotta make sure all the paperwork gets done.”
"Done, you hear me? D-o-n-e, you’re fucking done!
" Coach Kenbrough's face squinched into a series of lumps.
He jabbed a finger at my chest. "If you want to play football, fill out the trade paperwork and go someplace else.
Because if I'm here next year—you can God-damned count on the fact that you won't be. "
The quick rattle-clack of cleats clattering against concrete sounded from the parking lot.
Misha flicked her wrist. “’Bout damned time.” She winked at me and mumbled something else before dissipating into the misty air—leaving me with the clipboard.
I stared at it. How?
"Hey, looking good, yo!" Danny hollered. Three women jogged toward us in cold gear and softball shoes.
My throat tightened as my eyes landed on her: Briella Reddington, the Strikers’ All-American shortstop. Her strawberry blond hair up in a ponytail, it trailed behind her on a gasp of wind. She glanced around before her eyes caught my gaze. She looked away.
"Woo! We made it!" Kanami called out as she waved her ballcap above her head.
"Ella…" My heart took off at a sprint, and I had to fight the urge in every cell of my body telling me to move to her side.
"Hey hey, Kanami. How's it feel to be our hero?" Danny grabbed for my clipboard. I locked my arms around it.
"Dude, what gives?" he said with a huff of air.
"It's a group effort,” Kanami called out. “I brought friends."
Is what I think she said, but the only thing registering in my brain was…her.
"Thank you," she whispered. Moonlight reflected in her eyes as I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Can I check on you tomorrow?"
She let out a breath. "I'd have thought one favor was enough." She ducked her head and looked away. I caged her into an awkward embrace—her shoulder against mine. She leaned into me, her hands gripping my arm. Her hair brushed my neck.
"Wasn't much of a favor."
I must have lost the battle of wills because I found myself beside her. My mouth moved, but couldn’t form or speak words.
"Mick."
I winced. Her eyes met mine, but before I could hand over the forms with the "participate at your own risk, don't sue" spiel, someone yanked the clipboard away.
"So you're one of the dates at the dinner tonight." A girl with short blond hair jotted information on the waiver.
Huh? I blinked. "What?"
She made a show of letting her gaze roam over me, then stepped closer. Her hand gripped my arm as she leaned on me, glancing at—my ass? Before I could physically remove her, she retreated.
"So how do these group dates work? You have a bunch of women at your table over dinner, and does one of us get to take you home? Inquiring minds—"
"It's game time. You're late. Fill out the form and get moving."
Her eyes widened. "Wow, Red, I thought you said he has an attractive ass, not that he is one." She shoved the clipboard back at me. "We're here for Kanami, not you." She pushed past me and grumbled something that sounded like, “Lousy bet."
"Was surprised to hear you were involved. In the date, I mean." Ella's light-colored eyes flitted up and met my gaze. "The game was pretty much a given."
I sighed. "Kids charity."
A smile tugged at her lips. "So even the infamously focused Maddox McBride has a heart."
I crossed my arms and gave her a pointed look. You too?
"Loosen up, Mick, it’s supposed to be this thing called 'fun.'"
"Tell that to Seager." I hooked a thumb over my shoulder at the overzealous bunch of show-offs. "He’s chomping at the bit to beat me at something. May resort to comparing pink tote lids at this rate."
She shrugged. "You can’t be good at everything."
"Never said I was."
"Good, 'cause I know for a fact you’d be lying." One eyebrow lifted as she pursed her lips together.
"Ouch."
She tossed her ponytail over her shoulder and held out the clipboard…with attitude. I grabbed it, tucking it under my arm.
"Ella, I…"
"Let me guess, we have to focus on the game?" She let out a sharp breath. “The team has to come first.” And turned away.
I caught her arm. "I didn’t—" Mean to stay away so long.
"Don’t worry, Mick." She pulled from my grip. "Like Liesl said, we’re not here for you."
She walked away, her long hair swaying behind her.
And I had no choice but to watch her go.