Page 16 of Take Her On

She and Chloe had had a nice conversation, flirted some, arms touching in all the right places. Then Maya had kissed her, earning some wolf-whistles from Chloe’s friends, but when she’d seen Carly leaving with Luke, the illusion shattered.

She was too sad even to have a casual shag. Now that truly was pathetic.

The music was amplified as the door swung open and a handful of people spilled out onto the street. Maya tipped her head up instinctively, her vision blurring and dipping in and out of focus. Chloe, Zeek, and most of the other students had left already. Soon the bar staff would be out, sweeping up the cigarette ends and shooing her along the street like a stray pigeon.

A shadow loomed over her, blocking the yellow light from the lamppost opposite. “Do you need a hand?”

She squinted, trying to focus, and let out a groan when Jamie’s signature smirk filled her vision. Like this night couldn’t get any worse.

“I’m always touched by how happy you are to see me, Skip.” Jamie let out a soft laugh. “Anyone would think you didn’t like me.”

“I don’t,” Maya slurred. “You’re arrogant.”

“On the pitch, maybe.” She offered her arm. When Maya didn’t take it, she lifted her anyway, propping her back onto her feet with ease.

“Hey,” Maya protested, slapping her hands away. “I’m fine. I was just getting some air.”

Jamie nodded. “Sure you were. You’ve been out here for ages. You’re going to catch a cold.”

“I’m fine,” Maya insisted, but even she could hear the slur in her words. She didn’t like the swirl of feelings in her stomach. The way Jamie was looking at her only added to it. She didn’t need her help. It made her feel even more pathetic. “Why do you care?” Her gaze roamed behind Jamie, but only caught on a couple having a hushed conversation over a smoke. “Where’s Leah?”

Jamie’s eyebrows quirked at the last question, almost making Maya regret asking it. She didn’t know where her interest had come from. Stupid vodka brain. “She’s gone home. Why do you care?” she mirrored back.

Maya scoffed. “I don’t. You can sleep with whoever you want.”

Jamie chuckled low in her throat. “Well, thanks for the permission, Skip. I wasn’t aware I needed it.”

“See.” Maya prodded a finger in her chest. “This is what I mean. You’re always so sarcastic. And smiling. Why are you always smiling so much?”

Jamie really laughed at that. “I guess I find your pure, unwavering hatred of me quite amusing.”

Maya snorted. “Only you would find it amusing. That’s so typical of you.”

“Well, we don’t need to hold any grudges now, do we? You’re spared playing against me this year. If I win, you win too.” She leaned closer to whisper, “We’re on the same team, in case you can’t remember.”

Her sudden proximity raised the hairs along Maya’s neck. The tangy, spicy scent of her aftershave cut through her senses, making her take a step back. She swallowed. “Yes, I am aware of that. But it won’t be down to you. It’s a team sport.”

Jamie let out a sharp laugh. “Wow. Even with this much booze in you, you’re still relentless. You know what? I respect that.” She shook her head, but a genuine smile lit up her face. “Now, come on. I’d never forgive myself if I left our captain out here alone to freeze in the dark.”

“I’m not coming back home with you.”

She’d definitely not had enough to drink for that. Even if she was desperate.

“And what makes you think you’d be so lucky, huh?” Jamie smirked. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

Chapter Six

Jamie

The ball spun off Maya’s foot, slicing through the air in the opposite direction to the one she probably intended. It bounced on the outside of the penalty box, just asking to be pounced on by the other striker in the team—Aiysha, Jamie thought, but she was bad with names—who did just that. The net swished as the ball hit the back, and half the team cheered.

Coach shouted Maya’s name from the touchline, clearly not happy with her performance.

Jamie had been unable to keep her eyes off the grumpy captain. Maya had been off her game all session, which wasn’t like her. Normally she was so anal and precise with her passes, it bordered on being irritating. But now she was sulking. Jamie felt a little bad for her; she couldn’t help it. She wondered if this had anything to do with what had happened on Sunday night. The flash of vulnerability behind Maya’s usually guarded walls had intrigued her.

The woman’s feisty mouth was aggravating, but watching her drink herself into oblivion had taken the sting out of her prickliness. Was this something she did often or was something bothering her?

It’s none of your business, Jaim. Stay out of it.