Page 77 of Risky Play

Dinah looked back at Noah. “See! Matt’s not that way. Be like Matt. You need to apologize to Maddie. You’re treating her like a child, and that’s not okay.”

Noah looked down at the ground, guilt marring his face. I could tell this protectiveness came from love, not a way to control Maddie or anything like that, but it didn’t make it cool. It was why she wanted to keep quiet about us, and I hated that.

I needed to go see my girl and cheer her up.

“How long do I have to stay to appease TJ?” I asked Noah.

The three of us looked over to see TJ on top of the bar, holding up a bottle of whiskey and yelling out into the crowd. The fact none of us thought this was weird or that the bartender just rolled his eyes should have been concerning.

Dinah belted out a laugh. “He’s preoccupied. You’re itching to see your girl, huh?”

“Yeah.”

The way she studied me unnerved me, like she saw through me. Almost like she knew without a shadow of a doubt who my girl was and why I was being so coy.

“Great game tonight,” Noah said. “You keep doing that, and you’ll be here to stay.”

I nodded in thanks.

I didn’t care about finishing my beer; I just needed to go see my girl. I got a rideshare over to the townhome and packed a bag to stay over at Maddie’s. I had off tomorrow, and I didn’t know Maddie’s plans yet, but I wanted to make it up to her. She deserved a fun date, and I had the perfect plan for my little bookworm.

Chapter Twenty-One

MADDIE

I was a ball of rage when I got back to my building. Matt had to understand why I was scared to tell my brother about us. Noah was too overprotective to the point it was irritating. Even my dad wasn’t like that. I couldn’t tell Noah I was with Matt tonight, but I had been testing the waters. Pretty sure Dinah knew, and she was letting me tell her on my own terms. I had to be extra careful around her.

I took a shower to calm down, but I was annoyed and cold when I got out. I sat on my bed with my hair up in my towel while I stewed. I was brushing out my hair, ready for a late night of cuddling up in bed with my e-reader, when I heard Ari come in from the hallway. There was someone with her, as I heard another voice, and then Matt stood in the doorway of my bedroom. He had changed out of his suit and was in comfy sweatpants and a hoodie. That casual combination shouldn’t be hot, but it was.

Ari popped her head in. “Hey, look who I found outside like a lost puppy?”

I checked my phone and saw I had several missed calls from Matt. “Sorry.”

Ari smiled at me and then walked back to her room. Matt shut my bedroom door and set his bag down.

“Maddie.”

“I’m sorry. I’m in a bad mood.”

His eyes softened, and he kicked off his shoes and got into bed with me. I pulled the comforter over him and felt warmth envelop me as he squeezed into my twin bed. He hugged me to his chest, and it felt so nice, like he knew this was what I needed. He didn’t speak but instead stroked my hair and held me close. Exactly what any good boyfriend would do.

“I’m sorry, sweet pea,” he said into my hair.

I couldn’t help but grin. I loved that cheesy nickname and the way his voice purred like it was honey off his lips.

“It’s not your fault.”

He turned me in his arms and cupped my face. “I don’t want to be a wedge between you and Noah.”

“It was already there. Do you understand why I said we can’t tell him yet?”

He nodded. “I hate it. I want to hold your hand in public and tell everyone you’re my girl. I hate that we’re lying.”

“I know, baby, but…until my brother gets more comfortable…”

“Were you trying to tell him about us tonight?”

“Feeling him out,” I admitted weakly. Just the thought of me having a boyfriend set my brother off. I couldn’t imagine what he’d do after I told him that boyfriend was his teammate. Who lived with him. Noah would blow a gasket, and it could put Matt’s career in jeopardy.