The Wildcat (Playing to Win, #2)

by Bella Matthews

“Hear me out, baby. I spent years with her and never felt for her what I felt for you the first night we met. What does that tell you? Because it sure as shit tells me you matter. And we were never just friends. I’m trying to give you the space you need. The time. The control.

I might be arrogant, but I’m not stupid. And I know you’re a flight risk. I also know you’re hung up on my career, even if I don’t have a fucking clue why.”

I was trying to include you in my life because it’s about to get crazy complicated. You’re used to football season. They have one game a week. I can play four, sometimes five games a week. Half of them are away. And I want to know you’re going to be here when I get home.

I don’t give a shit if you ever come to a game. You and me . . . we’re not for show. I don’t care if the world knows your mine. So long as you do.”

“Whatever. I’m just saying, there’s no way you’d be wound this fucking tight if blondie was giving it up on the regular. So talk. What the hell is going on with you two?” My grip tightens on the wheel. “I’d drop you where you were standing if I wasn’t driving right now, asshat.”

“I didn’t say she wasn’t worth it. I said she’s not making it easy for you. You’re not afraid of hard work, Cross. And I think this girl is going to make you work for it.”

“She’s missing Cross pretty bad, so we decided to go to breakfast before class today. Sorry we’re a few minutes early.” “I understand.” I pull back and smile at Kerrigan. “I’m missing your daddy too. But he comes home tonight.”

“Hi, Mom.” I move next to her and take Jax out of her hands. “Hey, little man. I missed you too.” He immediately fists my hair and buries that face in my neck, and I just breathe him in while the girls all stare. “What? Jax and I had a heart-to-heart last week.” I lean my head against his chubby little face. “We’re buds, right?”

“Will you be there?” Kerrigan asks with big hopeful eyes. Man, this kid could ask me for the moon, and I’d try to figure out a way to get it for her.

“Daddy never lets us eat in front of the TV.” “What we don’t tell Daddy won’t hurt us.” Bellamy links her pinky with Kerrigan’s, and I smile at Grace. We still link pinkies.

“Oh my God,” I gasp as a guy from the other team slams into him, and Cross flies backward into the metal goalpost. His helmet comes loose and off his head right before his skull hits the ice, and my heart stops.

“Wait.” The word comes out short and curt, but I need to see Cross stand up. He’s going to stand up. Brynlee and the other trainer move out onto the ice, and after a minute, Cross is up on his skates, being helped off. But I still don’t think I can breathe. Holy shit.

“You scared me.” He buries his face in my hair and inhales. “Sorry. I didn’t know you’d hear about it before I could tell you.” “I didn’t hear about it, Cross. We were watching it. I called and texted. I was worried.”

“Come on, big man. Let’s go to bed.” He groans, and the vibrations do funny things to my heart. “Gotta say, didn’t think I’d have to be concussed to get you in my bed, Cinderella.”

“Listen, I know you don’t like me. So you might not like what I’m about to say. But Cross really got his bell rung. The next few days are going to suck. His eyes are bothering him. His head’s gonna hurt like a fucking bitch. And he’s gonna be angry because he’s off the ice for at least two weeks. If you can’t handle that, leave now. Tell him you need to go home for something, and I’ll make sure he’s good.” “Well damn . . .”

We stand, locked in a stare-off until his lips tip up in a cocky grin. “Don’t fuck him over, blondie.” “Better men than you have underestimated me, God of War. They regret it now.”

“It’s not nice to tease a man when he’s down, Cinderella.” “Oh, honey.” I make a dramatic attempt to look down at his dick. “You’re nowhere near down, and I never said you were going to be in the tub alone. I just said it was a really big tub, and I thought a bath could relax you.”

“Always so pretty in my clothes, baby. We’re gonna have to revisit these socks when I feel better.” “We’ll revisit anything you want, as long as you follow the doctor’s orders and rest, Cross.” “And you’ll help me rest?”

“Slower, Everly. I’m seeing two of you right now, and I want to enjoy it.” “Enjoy it while you can. Because the only way you’re getting two of me is if you get Gracie too, and you’re not the only one who doesn’t share.”

“You scared me tonight, Cross.” He groans and tightens his grip on my hips. “I’m sorry, baby.” “Don’t do it again.”

“Christ, Everly. I fucking love you.” My eyes fly to his, thinking I heard him wrong, because there’s no way he just said he loved me,

Ummm . . . He may be relaxed now, but I think I’m about to have a nervous breakdown.

I wake up the next morning to a dark room, an empty bed, and cold sheets. Shit. She bolted.

I knew it was a mistake as soon as the words left my mouth last night. Not that I don’t love Everly—because I fucking do. But because she’s not ready to hear it.

She’s back in those tiny shorts that barely cover her ass, those white socks are pulled up to her knees, and my hoodie is dwarfing her body. And she’s singing to my son while he plays with her hair. My vision might be fucked, but the sight of her takes my breath away. Jax finishes his bottle, and she pops him on her shoulder to burp while smiling at me. “Good morning, Cross.”

You have two kids, who already missed you and weren’t going to understand why Daddy doesn’t feel good. A sister who’s been filling in every night after the nanny left. And I may have underestimated Ares’s ability to help, so I called out today without second-guessing it or regretting it. I didn’t need your permission to do it. And I didn’t appreciate you making me feel stupid about choosing you over a football game either.”

“I’m sorry. I woke up this morning, and you weren’t there. I thought you left after last night. I felt like an asshole, and I feel like shit, and I lashed out at you. Make sure you understand what I’m saying here, Everly.

Because I’m not sorry for what I said last night. I’m sorry I said it then. I know you’re not ready to hear it, and I should have waited. I am sorry for the way I spoke to you this morning though. That was wrong. Now please fucking tell me I’m forgiven, so I can lie down and close my eyes without wondering if I’m going to lose you while I sleep.”

“He’s driving me crazy. He’s the worst patient I’ve ever seen. And that’s saying something because my dad was pretty bad a few years ago when he messed up his knee. Cross is worse.”

“Really? Dad was pretty bad. I’m not sure I believe anyone could be worse than that.” “He doesn’t want me to do anything for him. And he told me if I didn’t go to work today, he was going to drive me here himself,” I groan.

“And it would be nice to know my husband isn’t the only one who’s going to be spanking an ass that night.” Gracie blows out a long breath. “I really wish someone would spank my ass.” “I volunteer as tribute,” comes from an obnoxiously loud male voice.

“Sorry,” Grace dismisses Mav’s offer. “I should have been more specific. I really wish I could find a man to spank my ass.” Maddox gags, and Maverick’s smile grows. “Like I said⁠—” “Call me when you’re old enough to buy a beer, Mav.” Gracie shakes her head. “Don’t give him false hope, Grace.”

“Sorry, Ares. He’s all yours tonight. This isn’t my home. These aren’t my kids. And Cross Wilder isn’t my husband. If he doesn’t want me here to help him, there’s no reason for me to stay. I might be unsure of a lot of things, but I damn sure know better than to fall into a relationship of convenience.

If he wants me here, he needs to use his damn words and tell me, instead of basically telling me to leave, which is what he’s done for days now.”

“I warned you he’d be an ass.” “Yup. And I’m not walking away. I’m just going to practice and to sleep in my own ...

“Just stop, Cross. You’ve been a bear all week. All. Week. And Everly has done nothing but take it. She’s helped with the kids. With you. With anything you needed, and you’ve been mean. And now you’re saying it’s basically because your ego is bruised. Grow up.” “My ego? What the hell, Bellamy?”

“Did Helene ever do anything for you? Hmm?” “She’s got nothing⁠—” “Answer the damn question, Cross,” my sister demands. The sad thing is I can barely even remember a time she took care of Kerrigan. “Helene never did anything that wasn’t for Helene. Why?”

“Because somehow, you’ve gotten it in your head that you’re supposed to be the one who does everything. That’s not how relationships work. You’re supposed to do things for each other. Let her take care of you, Cross. Don’t push her away because she’s a strong equal and not a damsel in distress.”

Guess she didn’t believe me when I said I’d chase her. Her mistake.

“Because I had work and practice and needed to get ready for this. And you didn’t want me there, Cross. I’m a flight risk when I know I’m wanted. Tell me enough that you don’t want my help, and I go from flight risk to gone in a heartbeat. And you didn’t want my help.”

“How are the babies?” “Kerrigan was upset because Grace taught her class this morning. She wanted to know where you were.” Well, damn. That hits hard. “I had cheer practice.” “She wants to watch you cheer. So does her dad.” My stomach somersaults. “I guess it’s a good thing my family has a big box then, isn’t it?” “Yeah, baby. I guess it is.”

“Yeah, babe. You better go fix that lipstick.” “Cocky fucker,” I tease. “Arrogance, baby. That’s arrogance.”

“You know my best friend is Sam Beneventi.” “Who?” I ask, genuinely having no clue who that is when everyone breaks out laughing. “Don’t fuck over my daughter, and you’ll never need to worry about it.”

“You’re fucked, dude. Most of the guys in this room want to nail your girl. Especially when they realize they’re two of them.” Ares laughs, and I feel my head start to throb. “Thanks, asshole. That’s just the thought I needed.” “You’re welcome. That’s for banging her in my office.”

But fucking A. The twins. The twins had to beat guys away with a fucking stick their whole lives.” Callen nods. “More like we did. Every asshole with eyes hit on them.” “Yeah. Have fun with that. We’re officially passing the baton. They’re yours.” Maddox grins, and it’s a little fucking creepy. “Only one of them is mine,” I say with a smile. Because she really is. “Nope. They’re a package deal.”

Her panties barely cover her ass. Just the very top is covered in little red ruffles. And her tiny t-shirt isn’t blank. No. That Revolution shirt is mine. With my name and number on it. She’s wearing my name. “Holy shit, brother. I think you just got claimed.” Ares fucking laughs next to me. And I’ll be damned. I think he’s right.

She might not want to go to one of my games, but that girl just told the whole fucking world she’s mine. I stand up, and Ares grabs my arm. “Where are you going?” “To go get what’s mine,” I tell him, then stop in front of Declan Sinclair. “I’m in love with your daughter, sir.”

“You look like you’re ten years younger than me, Cross. Don’t fucking call me sir. But go back there and tell my goddamned daughters to put on some clothes before I stroke out. And be at the game tomorrow and at my house afterward for dinner.”

Which is good because before I take my next breath, he picks me up, throws me over his shoulder, and smacks my ass so hard I might actually come, hanging off him like this. “Put me down, Cross. You have a concussion.”

He smacks my ass again, and there’s no way I don’t have a bright-red handprint on my ass to match my bright-red panties. “A concussion, babe. I’m not dead. Now, where’s a room with a lock on the damn door?” he growls, and I point him to the bathroom the models were using earlier.