Playing to Win (The Players #3)

by Monica Murphy

She needs me right now. And I need to be there for her.

The guilt I’m experiencing is goddamned overwhelming. This is the last thing I ever wanted to do. I cost the woman I love her job. All with a careless smack. I’m such an asshole.

“Then I got over it and realized they were only doing their job. This is on me. I signed that agreement that said no dating and I went and fell in love with you anyway.”

She smiles, her hand rustling in the bag once more as she plucks out another wrapped chalupa. “I shouldn’t eat this.” She drops it on the table and starts unwrapping it. “But I’m gonna.”

I stare at her for a moment, in shock at her nonreaction. “Are you mad at me?” “Why would I be mad at you?” She sends me a look. “I’m in love with yo...

“You’re going to resent me for getting you fired.” “I am not.” She rolls her eyes. “Don’t you see? I might’ve lost my job but I got you, Ace. And now we don’t have to hide anymore. Everyone will know we’re together and won’t that be such a relief?”

“I still feel bad,” I admit. “And responsible.” “It’s going to be okay.” Ruby reaches across the table and rests her hand on my forearm. “Now I can wear your number at games. I can tell everyone who will listen to me that you’re my boyfriend. I need to buy your jersey.” “I will give you my jersey,”

“We can tell the whole fucking world we’re together.” “See? It’s not so bad, me losing my job.”

“You totally should.” My stomach suddenly growls and I reach for the bag, grabbing a burrito and unwrapping it. “You can do whatever you set your mind to, Red.” Her smile is soft as she watches me eat the burrito and I pause, wondering why she’s looking at me so weird. “You okay?” “I just…I love you,”

She glances down at her partially eaten chalupa and curls her lip. “Want to go make out?”

“You want to make out?” I set my burrito down. She nods. “In the shower.” “You want to take a shower?” “And make out, yes.” “Wash all your troubles away?” “No, I want to make out with you naked in the shower and possibly give you a blow job. What do you say?”

I’m Ace Townsend’s number one fangirl. None of the girls in his fan club—last I heard, they disbanded once it came out that we’re together—can match my enthusiasm for this man. Not a single one of them.

“I love you,” I murmur. “Baby, you can’t even begin to comprehend how much I love you,” he says, his voice ringing with the emotion.

“I think I have an idea.” I turn in his arms to face him, tilting my head back so I can look into his eyes. “Thank you for loving me,” he says, his voice serious. “For supporting me no matter what. For always having my back.” “You do the exact same for me.” I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat, overcome with emotion for this man.

He grabs my hand, resting it on the center of his chest. “Feel this? That’s my heart beating for you. It’s yours.” I curl my fingers slightly, scratching his warm skin, the steady thud of his heartbeat pounding against my palm. “...

There is nothing better in life than being loved by this man.

There is no one I’m happier for than this man who loves me. Who stands by me and supports me no matter what. I do the same for him. His wins are mine and I can’t wait to celebrate him with everyone else tonight. Can’t wait even more to celebrate with just the two of us alone, either.

I can see the tattoo he recently got. It’s simple. Small. Just a single word over the center of his chest, right where his heart is. It says… Yours.

“You’re kind of weird.” “You love it.” He turns his head, kissing my palm. “You’re right. I love you.” “Love you too, Red.” “Forever?” I ask him, needing the confirmation. His eyes glow as he stares up at me, nothing but love shining in his eyes. “Forever.”