Page 113 of Quarterback Sneak

“We really are. Now, get five cards.” He hands me the cards and explains the rules. It ends up actually being a really fun game. Zane joins us for the second round, and we eventually convince Reid and Slate to join in as well. I really wanted to take pictures of these muscular, fit guys playing the game but refrained. When Quint crushes everybody, they all agree to play again. The second time we all play, I end up winning. AfterI finish my victory dance, which looks an awful lot like just pumping my fists in the air, Slate tells us it’s time to play soccer.

We head outside, and I’m suddenly glad I’ve started my running regimen again. I have a feeling I’m going to need it. “I’m with Zane and Evie this time,” Quint says. Reid and Slate agree, and Slate sets the ball in the middle of the field.

I turn to Quint and Zane. “Who’s going to be our goalie?”

They both look at me, and I shake my head. “Yeah, no. There’s no way I can stop a single ball.”

“Zane and I’ll take turns,” Quint says and starts towards our goal.

Zane turns to me. “You ready?”

He pulls his leg back and stretches. I look over and see Slate and Reid doing the same thing. “I was until I realized how serious you guys take this.”

He smirks. “You already played football with us.”

I shudder. “I remember.”

I look over at Reid and Slate as they line up, ready to start. “They’re not putting a goalie in?”

Zane smirks at me. “You ever watch Slate play soccer?”

“No.” I look over at Slate and then back at Zane. “Should I?”

He nods. “Yeah. He’s good.Reallygood.”

“I should take Tessa. She loves sports.”

“I’d love to go with you. It’s hard to work around my schedule, but maybe we can find one we can attend together.”

I smile at him. “I’d love that.” I step closer to him. “I'm pretty sure those evening games get cold.”

He stares down at me. “They do.”

“I’ll need a blanket and—”

“Are you two ready to play, or do you need a private room?” Slate’s low voice cuts off my flirting, and I feel my face flame.

Zane winks at me and bends forward. “I like the way you think.” He kisses me and then places his hands on my hips and turns me around. “Ready?”

I take a deep breath and try to focus on the task at hand.Soccer.How hard can it be? I just have to be able to run and kick the ball into the wide-open goal.

Not even an hour later, I drop onto my backside, unable to feel my legs. How very, very wrong I was. Playing football with these guys was one thing, but soccer? It was next level. All we did was run back and forth and back and forth. I groan and lay my head back in the grass. A shadow forms over me. “We’re still playing,” Zane says, bending over me.

“I can’t move.” I ignore his snicker. I would scowl up at him, but that would take energy. Energy Idon’thave. “Go away.”

He laughs again. “Okay. I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit. Here.” He sets a water bottle next to me. “Drink that.”

I don’t even watch him jog away, not sure how he can still be moving. My legs are like Jello; I don’t think I’ll ever walk again. Not that it matters. All my running accomplished nothing. Slate just waltzed around us like we weren't even there. He scored like what? Eight goals on us? We got one.One.And that’s only because I tripped Slate down the field, and Zane got to the other end of the field and scored. I close my eyes and listen to the guys play. Even though my body is mush, I can’t keep the smile off my face. I had so much fun playing with them. I couldn’t stop laughing the entire time, much to Slate’s chagrin. The more serious he got, the more it made me laugh. It didn’t help that Zane kept doing things to make me laugh. Even now, I can hear them shouting insults at each other. I sigh and close my eyes. I don’t know when I've ever felt so content. A longing to talk to my mom overcomes me, and I make a mental note to call her and talk to her soon. I should maybe tell her about the boy I’m seriously falling in love with. I’m sure she’ll think I’m too young,but...it’s not like that with Zane. I know we’re supposed to be together, and he knows it. He says I’m his mate, and I believe him. I’ve never felt this kind of connection with anybody before. Honestly, it's almost kind of scary. I close my eyes and drift a little, listening to the guys playing in the background.

Something nudges me, and I blink open my eyes. “Hey,” Zane says softly. He puts a hand out to me. I eye it and then him.

“Does that mean I have to get up?”

His lips tug up into a smile. “Come on, Baby. Let me help you up and put you out of your misery.”

“I don’t think you can.” I’m partly teasing, partly not.

“How about a hot shower?” he tempts me.