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Chapter 3

BECCA

After absolutely crushing an entire set of sushi rolls, Lenna and I laid back on her couch watching horrid reality T.V. with our glasses of wine.

“So, what was that about? At practice,” Lenna asked me, giving me a side eye while sipping out of her glass.

I shook my head. “It was nothing. I just wanted to make sure that Mr. Mendoza knew his place with me.”

Her brows raised. “And what place is that?”

I chuckled. “A place that is not with me. I can assure you of that.”

We were silent for a moment before she placed the glass down and turned to me, pulling her knees to her chest .

“You know, maybe it would be good for you to go on a date or something. Especially after the awkward encounter with my brother this morning. Can you not have a thing for my brothers? That is weird. Even now.”

We laughed together. “I guess I should tell you…there was this time that Jordy and I ran into each other on a vacation, and we hung out,” I admitted.

Lenna pursed her lips with an obvious condescending attitude. “Continue.”

I sighed. “We might have hooked up… briefly, but it was just one night, and I never saw him again after that. I don’t do relationships.”

She made a disgusted face. “You’re gross. I don’t know why you’re my best friend.”

I threw a pillow at her. “Hey! I am your best friend, and you can’t get rid of me. Besides… I need to know what’s really going on with you and Conrad. I mean it’s so obvious that you two still love each other.”

Lenna positioned herself back to face the T.V., trying to avoid the question. After a minute, she softly replied, “I know I still love him, but I don’t know if he still loves me.”

And that was why I refused to do any relationships; there were no guessing games, only casual hookups every once in a while, were adequate enough for me. I didn’t want a big family. I didn’t really envision myself married to anyone anymore. I was content just how I was, and nothing would change that.

** *

“This club is absolutely ridiculous. I love it!” I screamed over the music to Lenna. We had finally made it out to celebrate her birthday along with the other starting lineup for the Kings football team, but we were determined to have a grand ‘ole time.

“I gotta go get a drink! I’ll be back,” I yelled, kissing Lenna on the cheek and waltzing myself to the bar.

I caught the bartender's eyes, and he smiled. “What can I get you, gorgeous?” he asked smoothly.

I gave him my million-dollar smile and replied, “Dirty gin martini… extra dirty please.”

He smirked. “You got it, babe.”

After getting my drink, I turned to lean against the bar to look around the room. I immediately spotted the tatted QB who I had seen earlier. Of course, he was surrounded by girls because he was the definition of a playboy. Being here for a few days, I had heard enough about him to not want anything to do with him.

His hands were wrapped around a tall redheaded woman’s waist, pulling her close and sinking his head into her neck. But as quickly as I blinked, his eyes flickered up to meet mine. He held my gaze as he continued to kiss the woman’s neck and I rolled my eyes, pushing away from the bar to find somewhere to dance.

I finally found the perfect spot to sip my gin and dance alone, until a guy approached me from behind and started to dance. I didn’t mind the feeling of being touched, but when I spun around, I was met by two firm hands that were attached to completely tattooed arms—ones that I had met before.

“Well hello there, beautiful creature. Funny running into you here.”

I stayed in front of him, swaying as I sipped my drink.

“Why were you watching me from the bar?” he asked, and I raised a brow and my shoulder.

Answering him was not a requirement.

His hands gripped my hip bones, pulling me into him and forcing me to look up at the face I absolutely hated because he was so damn stunning.

I sighed. “I wasn’t watching you. I was looking around the room for somewhere to dance. Is that okay with you?”

He started to move along to the music with me and leaned over to my ear. “I think you were watching me because you like me.”

Grabbing his hands, I pushed him off of me and pressed my finger into his chest.

“You are the furthest thing I am interested in, Mr. Mendoza.”

He smirked, leaning his head inches from mine. “I like when you call me that. Do it again.”

I grunted in frustration and turned to leave, but he caught my wrist and spun me back toward him. My martini sloshed around, and I met his gaze. “Let’s get one thing straight, Becca. I might be a starting quarterback, and I might be a flirty son of a bitch, but I know a good thing when I see it. And you are a good thing. I want to take you on a date. ”

“A date! Have you lost your damn mind? I’m trying to get away from you. Not get closer to you.”

“Your mouth says a lot of things that contradict your body language.”

I glanced down, noticing that I had moved closer to him and my nipples were hard through the silk satin dress. Deep down I knew I was attracted to Shyloh, and I would absolutely love to jump his bones, but the other voice inside me screamed to stay away. That he was dangerous.

I sighed, accepting my defeat. “Do I find you attractive? Yes, but I also know you like to stick your dick in anyone who says yes to you and that is what I don’t like. You are the type of guy I try to stay away from.”

A small smile ticked up in the corner of Shyloh’s mouth. “Oh, so you do find me attractive. What if I told you that I hadn’t slept with anyone in a year? Would you believe me?”

“No. I absolutely would not believe you.”

“What if I told you that you are the first woman that I have actually wanted to get to know more than stick my dick in—which I would also like to do, if I may.”

I took a deep breath, staring into his damned hazel eyes. “I just don’t know you, Shyloh. Yes, you’re very handsome. And yes, if this was some random night in some random city, then I might just do the things I want to do. But I can’t. We have mutual friends, and we will see each other around. It just wouldn’t work. ”

Instead of giving me a snarky reply, Shyloh simply nodded and stepped back, removing his hands from me. “Have a goodnight, Becca Dawson.”

Watching him walk away was a blessing and a curse because this strange part of me wanted to run after him, but I knew he wasn’t the right guy for me. There was only one quarterback that held my heart, and I wouldn’t let another get the chance. Not here.