The Golden Goal (More Than a Game, #1)

by Annah Conwell

Shaw Daniels is the razor burn of men. Irritating beyond belief and impossible to avoid.

He made his choice, and it wasn’t me. It doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to be chosen.

He should look lazy and messy, but he looks like he belongs on a billboard. It’s disgusting and it only makes me dislike him more.

“You’re thinking about me in bed, Jones? And here I thought you were different from every other woman I’ve met.”

I had a plan for when I saw Sutton. That plan was to meet her at the door–which I accomplished by waiting in the parking lot for her–and tell her she looked beautiful. Then I was going to open the door for her and say I wanted to start over and ask for a clean slate. But when I saw her standing there I just couldn’t help but tease her. Something about seeing her brown eyes narrow at me gets my blood pumping.

In fact, I’d like even more than that, as in her wearing my jersey on game days and jumping in my arms when we win. That’s what I’d like, but unfortunately, I’ve been sabotaging myself for years.

I love when he starts out in love with her.

I never stopped trying to protect her from her terrible taste in men, and in retaliation, she sabotaged my dates as well. I never cared though, because I’ve only ever wanted her.

I know the woman like the back of my hand but none of that matters if she won’t stop fighting me long enough for me to show her that I’m as in love with a person as you can be without actually being in a relationship with them.

“Be respectful or I’m going to shove your face into your locker so hard you’ll need more than a little physical therapy to recover,” I warn in a low voice, making them eye each other. They quickly shut up.

She’s the only blood relative who checks on me without expecting money in return, so I try to make sure I’m taking care of our relationship.

That’s one of the many reasons it’s so fun to mess with her. There’s something delicious about seeing a woman so dignified and composed become completely undone by my words alone.

a look I’m rather familiar with. It’s probably supposed to intimidate me, but it just makes me want to kiss her.

A woman shouldn’t be allowed to look like a model while she’s demeaning you. It’s disconcerting.

Not that she would have wanted me in the crowd, but I still wanted to be there.

stop, he is adorable

I know the real her, and even if she wouldn’t believe me, I love that version of her the most.

I glance to my left and notice a line of players staring at me with curious expressions, so I glance to my right only to find the same thing. Do people not understand the art of a glance? You’re not supposed to show that you’re staring at someone.

Shaw’s expression darkens. There’s that competitive streak I know. He can’t stand someone being chosen over him.

well not by you, no

“My problem, Jones, is that you’re going to create chaos on my team by making them compete for you.”

He doesn’t speak much in general, but when he does it reminds me of what I imagine a grizzly bear would sound like if it could form words.

Then there’s me, who only has eyes for a girl who would gouge them out if given a chance.

“I thought you deserved some eye candy to celebrate your first day on the job.” Yeah, saying things like that is probably why she doesn’t give me soft smiles.

“Okay.” I barely manage to get the word out. My mouth is so dry it feels like I’ve been gargling sand. Sutton is about to massage me.

It’s unfortunate how great he is. If he keeps it up and takes care of himself, he could make it into the Hall of Fame. It makes it really hard to criticize him.

He’s a nice guy, so I hate to do this to him, but he hasn’t been in love with Sutton for close to a decade. I have.

I’ve seen her acquiesce to others, but not to me, never to me. It’s partly why I love teasing her, because it’s a dance all our own. Connor may get her timid smiles and good-natured laughs, but I get fiery looks and sassy remarks.

One day, I hope to have all of it. All of her. I want all her dreams and fears, her sleepy smiles, her sick days, her uncontrollable laughter and her tears. Because I may know Sutton better than any person at this party, but I know there’s so much more to learn. If I’m lucky, I’ll get a lifetime of learning every little quirk and trait of hers.

🥹

And I’m itching to show him exactly why he shouldn’t have hurt my Sutton.

I shrug. “If I didn’t show up, who would you direct all of your poorly executed insults at?” “I couldn’t tell you, since my quips are always witty and perfectly aimed.”

Nothing would make me happier than to watch her open presents on Christmas morning while I shoved the paper in a trash bag. And with the way she’s smiling, I’d get her a present for every other holiday, even Arbor Day, all for the opportunity to bask in the warmth of her joy.

Sutton eyes me, still holding on to her other two darts. "How do you know my favorite color?” I swallow, trying to come up with something other than I’ve memorized every detail about you because I’m in love with you.

Not so low that she’ll be suspicious, but not high enough to beat her. I’ve played here since I first started with the Rockets. I could win this blindfolded, but I know the win will make her happy.

Never in my life did I think I’d throw a game for a woman, but love makes you do crazy things.

It’s not professional. But arguing with Shaw is as natural as breathing, and holding back feels like holding my breath.

“It’s a wonder how you’re able to find women willing to date you.” I see we’re not pulling punches today. If I were a more sensitive man, that might have hurt.

I throw an empty paper cup at her. She bats it away, laughing. Her unbridled laughter trumps every sound I’ve ever heard. My favorite song, birds on a spring morning, the score from my favorite movie–all of it pales in comparison. I’d give every penny of the money she’s teasing me about away if it meant I got to hear this every day.

“Why do you have a hair tie?” I scrunch up my nose. “Is it some weird trophy from a girl? I don’t want a used hair tie. That’s gross.” Shaw sighs. “Jones, it’s brand new. I can show you the receipt in my car if you’d like. You said you always forget to bring them with you, so I got some just in case.”

🥹 he's so sweet

Sutton deserves to be treated like royalty. She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. She’s caring and gorgeous and whip-smart. Her only two faults are that she can’t see her worth and she has terrible taste in men.

I’ve made my fair share of bets over the course of my life. I’ve won some and lost others. But this bet? This is one I know is a lock. And when I win, I’ll use my extra time with Sutton to win an even better prize: her heart.

I start to adjust myself in the tub, but I slip a little, making the water slosh loudly. “What are you doing right now?” Shaw asks, voice tight, and my whole body tenses. “Washing dishes,” I blurt out.

She stares up at me, and it feels like neither of us wants this moment to end. I know I don’t. I’m living out my dream. The only thing I would change is the color of her dress to white and her last name.

Sure, it started out as a way to make Mason jealous, but Shaw didn’t have to whisper in my ear the way he did. Or hold me with a tender strength that turned my bones into jelly.

“Your eyes are like the ocean.” She blinks a few times, trying to stay awake. “They’re my favorite color. Blue is my favorite color, remember?” I tug her blanket up to her chin to make sure she keeps warm. “I remember; I’d never forget anything about you,” I whisper as she falls asleep. I am so in love with her it hurts.

It’s like I’ve been wearing the same pair of glasses all my life, only to be given a new prescription at twenty-three years old.

I go to grab the towel, and it’s then that I notice the black silk hair tie on his wrist. I freeze, staring at it. Does he wear that all the time?

“And it’s okay if you don’t know how to feel about that, but I know exactly how I feel and I can’t pretend you aren’t everything to me any longer.”

I’ve heard people describe getting lost in a kiss but that’s not what this is. Kissing Shaw is like being found.

“Just a car?” She shakes her head, unbuckling her seatbelt. “You’re the gross kind of rich, aren’t you?”

“I told you before, you don’t owe me anything, ever. That hasn’t changed. I just want you.”

It’s overwhelming and my heart is breaking, but it’s like when you have to break a bone to set it properly. I healed the wrong way after Mason, and now with Shaw I have a chance to have a healthy, good relationship.

“He’s excited to embarrass me.” I smile. “I know, that’s why I’m excited too.”