Playing to Win (The Players #3)

by Monica Murphy

I like the good-time guy. The fun guy. The one all the ladies love, which always ends up being a giant problem.

“Introduce me, future brother-in-law. I want to meet that guy.” “Ruby.” Blair’s eyes are wide, like she hates that I just said that, but I couldn’t resist.

I have a thing about hands. A man’s hands. I don’t know what it is.

Hands cupped around my cheeks, holding me in place, or even better? A hand around my throat. Gentle yet firm.

It’s weird. I don’t like feeling out of control. I sort of hate it. I also sort of want it—that moment between Ace and me—to happen again.

“A specific team.” I hesitate. “The football team.” Natalie is a shit friend because she immediately starts laughing. Like…hysterically.

And it’s okay to make a mistake and change my mind. That’s what my mom said. Plans change and that’s okay. Yet here I am questioning every move and choice I make, scared shitless to actually do anything.

I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be doing here, if that makes any sense. What’s my purpose in life? Why are we expected to have our life plan in place at eighteen and know what we want for our future career?

Here’s where I can admit I’m a bit of a celebrity on campus—I sound like an asshole, but it’s true. I’m kind of a big deal. Even though I haven’t really proven myself yet. This could all go to shit after Saturday’s game.

My gaze snags on a woman in the distance, her back to me, long blonde hair spilling down her back. She moves in a way that feels familiar and I sit up straighter, hoping it might be— The woman turns, her profile visible and I slunk back in my seat, disappointment filling me. She’s not Ruby Maguire. Not even close.

Women make themselves readily available to me at all times. I don’t need to go in search of anyone. Except for her. Ruby feels like the one who got away. The one I blew it with. That tantalizing moment with her in the bathroom on New Year’s Eve still lives rent free in my head and I can’t shake it. I didn’t even kiss her.

I live for putting on a show and I’m ready to perform. Especially for Ruby Maguire.

Don’t know how that’ll be possible with Ruby. I mean, look at her. How can I not notice her?

She hesitates, glancing toward the front of the bar, and I can tell she wants to bolt. Man, I really fucked everything up on New Year’s for her to act this way.

“Yo, Maguire.” We both turn in Derek’s direction. “Your boy here called you his girlfriend.”

He’s in a black T-shirt, but I’m thinking we should make content with some of the team in tank tops, flexing their muscles, but not showing their faces. Arm porn, if you will.

When she’s watching me, I want to impress her. But does she notice? That remains to be seen.

Here’s the thing when it comes to Ruby. I like her. A lot. I can’t stop thinking about her. I’m dying to spend more time with her. How do I convince Ruby I’m not such a bad guy?

Too fucking obvious because that shit felt fake. I’m sort of over it. Where’s the real connection? Where’s simple conversation and getting to know someone? Not around here.

I remind myself that I can’t touch her. All I wanna do is touch her. It feels like a switch flipped on inside me and it pounds out her name with an incessant drum. Ru-by. Ru-by. Ru-by.

She’s sexy. I have a feeling we’d be so damn good together. Like we have the potential to burn down the world, if she’d just let me show her.

That secret little kink of mine I usually keep buried deep inside is flaring to life and my body is hoping it’ll happen again.

“You were a big help to me today at practice.” “I did nothing.” You exist, is what I want to tell her. Just looking at you calms my chaotic thoughts. Like right now.

Thrown all my worry aside and just agreed because what good is life if you’re not taking any chances? I’m almost positive my dad said that to me once.

His fingers sink into me easily because I’m freaking drenched and a soft moan sounds low in my throat when he teases my entrance, slipping just a single fingertip inside. “We. Can’t. Do. This.” Those last four words out of his mouth are punctuated with his finger thrusting into my welcoming body and it feels so freaking good.

His fingers tightening around my neck, he rests his cheek next to mine, his lips at my ear as he whispers, “You’re close, baby. Come for me.”

Ruby is my girl. That’s how I see her at least.

A complete goner for Ruby Maguire. Wait, there’s no halfway in love with her. I am in love with her.

yeah?” I can imagine her in a pretty dress, standing at the altar near Joanna. Or even better, her wearing a wedding gown, walking down the aisle on her father’s arm. Headed straight for me.