“I worry about you always, Ainsley.” His jaw works under his skin. “But these guys are bigger and stronger than you. I’ve taken plenty of hits from them to know what it feels like.”
“I can handle it, Landon.” My face heats, anger rising higher. “I’m here because I’m just as good as any of these guys. And do you think the teams we play against are going to dial down theiraggression? Because I can promise you, they’re going to come for me twice as hard. I need to get used to it now so I’m not wiped out in the first game.”
His eyes widen like he hasn’t thought of that.
“Don’t hold me back,” I say, a mixture of a plea and a warning in my voice.
“I wasn’t trying to.”
Those puppy dog eyes of his melt my reservations, and my shoulders slump. “I can handle myself, okay?”
“I know you can.” A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “You did good today.”
Pride swells in my chest. “Thanks.”
I get the wholeboys don’t hurt girlsthing, but this is different.
This is sports.
And I’m here to win.
Chapter 25
Ainsley
Present
“This is goingto be a long night.”
I chuckle and hand Evan a soda can. “Ivori and I are taking bets on who’s going to try to spike the punch.”
“No one.” His jaw works under his skin. “I’m on punch duty.”
Ivori coughs out a laugh. “Oh man, you’re so screwed.”
“Eh, but they all respect Coach Cole.” I elbow him in the ribs. “I think you’ll be fine.”
He grumbles and heads for the punch table.
The juniors trickle into the ballroom, each of them wearing bright, excited smiles. I can’t help but smile with them. The best part of high school was getting to experience it with Ivori and Evan by my side.
And Landon...at least for some of it.
Ivori scans me from head to toe. “You look extra nice tonight. You trying to catch someone’s eye?”
“Ew.” My nose scrunches. “They’re a bunch of high schoolers.”
She rolls her eyes. “You know damn well I’m not talking about the high schoolers.”
My shoulders slump as I groan, because yes, I do know who she’s talking about. “Why do I care what Landon thinks? Why am I trying to impress him?”
Why did I spend two hours on my hair and makeup for a prom that isn’t even mine?
“Because you like him.” She says it so matter-of-factly, as if it’s no big deal. “And you have since we were the ones at this prom.”
I rub my temples as the DJ invites everyone onto the dance floor for the first song of the night. That kiss Landon and I shared rewired my brain. I haven’t been able to focus on anything else, other than lacrosse. And even then, shutting him out is impossible because he’s right there, sharing the field with me every day.
Ivori pats my back. “Stop questioning everything and trying to control it. Let it happen.”
