Page 25 of Offside Possession

“You really don’t think this is too much, too fast? Just because you said all that last night after our first night and the fact you know my brother⁠—"

“Sam doesn’t—" She placed a finger over my lips, and I gently bit it.

“I just want to make sure you’re not somehow caught up in something…”

“What?”

“Something you said and woke up maybe not feeling.” The vulnerability in her pretty eyes about killed me.

I should have been at the arena dressed and ready over twenty minutes ago.

I had to see the trainer, my coaches, my teammates. The list went on. Hell, I was almost positive I was supposed to have lunch with our enforcer, but I didn’t rush out. And I knew I wasn’t going to.

My hands gripped her hips, and she took the silent instruction to straddle my lap.

“I don’t know what kind of boys you’ve been with before me—" She opened her mouth to argue, but I shot her a look, and she pursed her lips. “But I’m a grown-ass man. One who from very early on knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to work for it.” I stroked the side of her face, tucking in a wild strand of hair behind her ear.

“I like you. A lot. If I’m honest, trouble, I more than like you.” She opened that pretty mouth again but stopped once more. “I don’t care that it’s only two days in and that it’s fast as fuck.” I smiled at her. “I can see this. You and me being a thing.”

“A thing?” Her bow rose with suspicion, but I rolled my eyes and sighed.

“Real. I can see us being a very real thing. Come to the game.” My hands tightened around her hips, and I bit the inside of my cheek not to demand she come on the road with me.

“The game.” She licked her lips. “Is that all you want me to go with you to? Tonight’s game and then what? I’m just supposed to wait around for you?“ I was too fucking ensnared by her gaze that I didn’t realize I’d somehow messed up. She caught me off guard and pushed me away.

“Stell—“

“We should get going. I’ll call an Uber and wait outside so you can get ready.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m going to take you home and—“ Her eyes softened.

“As lovely as that sounds, I don’t think so. I live across town from you, and you’re closer to the arena.”

“Then take my car,” I offered. “You can drop me off. I’ll be your passenger princess, and you can drive my car back to your place.”

“Trust me, you don’t want me to drive your expensive SUV. I can guarantee I’ll run over curbs and more than likely bump into something at least once.” She laughed easily, bending to put her shoes on.

“Baby—“ My house line rang, and she pointed at it.

“You should get that.” I swallowed hard. Without thinking, I did her bidding.

“Chance!” Harrison Stafford voice sounded worried on the other end of the line.

“What’s up, Stafford?”

“What’s up? You’re late, and Coach is about to have a shit fit.”

“Yeah, umm…” I cleared my throat. “My alarm didn’t go off. I’m about to leave.”

“You sure that’s it?” Stafford asked quietly.

“Yeah, man… just running a little late. I’ll be there.” Harrison kept talking, but all I could do was watch Stella as she picked up her cell phone. I didn’t have to ask to know she was calling a damn Uber.

My hands might be tied for a couple of hours, but if she didn’t show up to the game, I knew where she lived thanks to her brother.

“Chance? You there? Did you even hear a thing I said? You’re freaking me out, man.”

“Sorry, I’ll be there in ten.”