Page 88 of The Game We Played

“Are you okay?” she demands. Her voice shakes. Her eyes are wide. And fuck— She looks as if she’s about to fall apart.

“I’m fine, gorgeous,” I say automatically.

“Don’t,” she snaps. “Don’t you dare pretend everything’s fine. It’s me.”

I blink at her. She’s shaking. Actually shaking.

“I saw that hit,” she continues, her voice breaking now. “You didn’t get up. Youneverdon’t get up.”

Something shifts inside me. It’s deep. Probably permanent.

“I’m okay,” I say again, softer this time.

She presses her hand carefully against my shoulder, like she needs to feel that I’m solid. That I’m still here.

“You scared me,” she whispers.

And her words—

They hit harder than the tackle. Because Alaia Jackson doesn’t scare easily. She argues with everyone. Stands up to everyone. Even my parents.

But right now? She’s scared forme.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur.

Her gaze snaps to mine. “Don’t apologize. Just—” she swallows hard, “—just don’t do that again.”

I huff out a weak laugh. “I’ll try to schedule my hits better next time.”

She doesn’t smile. She doesn’t tease. She merely stares at me as if I matter. Like I matter more than anything else on this field.

And suddenly I’m not afraid anymore. Not of telling her how I feel. Not of what happens next. Because this?

This isn’t fake. Not for me. And definitely not for her.

Chapter 27

BREAKING: FAKE COUPLE DISCOVERS THEY MAKE A REAL TEAM Denial levels dropping faster than ocean tides

Alaia

Tanner places his hand on his hips and draws in a deep breath. “It’s a beautiful day to spend at the beach.”

I frown. “We’re here to work, not play.”

He waggles his eyebrows. “We’re still spending the day on the beach.”

Is everything a game to him? Football is serious and the rest – including me – is all a game?

He grasps my hand and leads me toward the group of volunteers. “This is going to be fun. And maybe when we’re finished cleaning up the beach, you’ll change into a bikini and we’ll go swimming. I solemnly swear to try to pants you.”

Swimming in the ocean with Tanner sounds dangerous – in a sexy way. He wouldn’t hesitate to not only pull down my bikini bottoms but steal them. But we’re not here to play.

“We’re here to help, not flirt.”

He winks. “I can multitask.”

We reach the group. “Hi, Sophia. They’re letting you be in charge this year?”