Emily watched it all, her lips quirked to the side. She made no hurry to leave me behind, either. She acted like she was supposed to be there, even taking peoples’ phones so she could get a better picture of us. Soon, people were asking her for pictures, too, and she obliged with that gorgeous, heart-stopping smile of hers.
Even when she didn’t mean to, she stole the show. It was impossible to avoid. She just…sparkled, like a whole universe of stars existed inside her and she was the only one who couldn’t see it.
When we made it through the noise, I threw up a hand in a final parting wave to the fans and shoved my hands in the pocket of my hoodie, feet on track for my car.
“You know that exit is for players only, right?” I asked, arching a brow as I angled my chin down toward Emily.
“Apparently not, since security didn’t stop me.”
“They probably thought you were lost and didn’t want to embarrass you.”
“Can’t embarrass someone who doesn’t give a fuck what other people think.”
I huffed a laugh, both loving and hating that little fact about her.
“Must be why you don’t care that you’re breaking our contract in plain sight,” I said.
“Again, that contract is meant to keep us out of each other’s beds,” she shot back with a roll of her eyes. “Not to prevent us from talking or to make us act like the other doesn’t exist.”
She followed me when I veered right for my Bronco, and I tapped the unlock button on my keys, the lights flashing. A few of my teammates clocked Emily at my side, their brows cresting as we passed.
I did my best to act like it wasn’t a big deal, my gaze forward and focused on my car.
“Speaking of which,” Emily said, jogging to catch up to my stride before she slid in front of me. We were just a few feet from the Bronco, but I had no choice but to stop or plow her over. “You’ve been avoiding me like the plague.”
“I’m beginning to think you’re my own personal one.”
“Ouch.” She covered her chest and stumbled back a bit like I’d hit her with an arrow.
I shook my head, adjusting my duffle bag on my shoulder before I forced my gaze over her head and across the lot.
“Can’t even look at me?” she asked, snapping her fingers in front of my face. “Is it because the last time you acknowledged my existence, I had my hand—”
“I can’t stop fucking thinking about you.”
The words rushed out of me, sounding every bit as angry and annoyed as I felt. My chest heaved, jaw tight as I watched the sass fade from Emily’s face.
Something akin to surprise and glee slid in to take its place.
I looked around, making sure no one had heard before I lowered my voice.
“I can’t,” I repeated. “No matter how I try to ignore you. And it’s a real fucking problem.”
Emily’s lips curled into a soft smile before she covered it with her fingertips, looking to her left where a player was passing us. She waited until he was out of earshot before her gaze found me again.
“Maybe if you’d hang out with me, that would solve your little problem.”
“Or make it worse.”
“Only one way to find out.”
Her voice was low and sultry, a dare in her eyes as she stepped just an inch closer.
It was enough to make fire bloom in my chest, to make my hands shake with restraint where I had them stuffed in the pocket of my hoodie.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat, eyes casting up to the sky like God could save me.
“Goodnight, Trouble,” I said with finality, giving her one last pointed look before I side-stepped and used every ounce of willpower I had to reach for my car door instead of her.
