The Striker (Gods of the Game, #1)

by Ana Huang

“However, I have to commend you on achieving something that I thought was impossible.” “What’s that?” “Making me like someone with the last name DuBois.” I rolled my eyes even as I fought an exasperated laugh. “You are an incorrigible flirt.” “Flirt? Yes. Incorrigible? That’s a matter of opinion.”

“Before you say anything else, this…” I gestured between us. “Ends now.” Amusement slid across his infuriatingly perfect face. “What’s this?” “The flirting. It’s unprofessional.” “I’m afraid flirting is part of my nature, darling.” Ugh. It should be illegal for any word to sound as delicious as darling did in Asher’s deep, silky voice. “Well, change it or suppress it.” “That’s not how nature works.”

“Carina. It’s so nice to officially meet you. I’m a huge fan.” Asher upped the wattage of his smile. “Thanks. Perhaps you can help convince Scarlett I’m not the devil then?” He dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I don’t think she likes me very much.”

“I’m just that type of student.” “You mean a teacher’s pet?” “Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won’t stop you.”

If her smile was a burglar, her laugh was a fucking thief because I was pretty sure she just stole a piece of my heart from right out under me.

“I wasn’t ogling you,” I lied, drawing the tatters of my dignity around me in a last-ditch shield. “Sure, and rain isn’t wet.” Asher stood, looking remarkably put together for a quarter past three in the morning. Further proof the universe didn’t play fair. “It’s alright, darling. I won’t hold it against you.”

“You’re never going to let that go, are you?” “Never is a long time.” A wicked grin stole across his face. “However, I’d expect frequent mentions of this night for the next fifty years or so.” “Bold and erroneous of you to assume we’d still be talking in fifty years.” “Stranger things have happened. If you’re lucky, it might even be seventy.”

“Do you mind if I steal Asher away for a minute? I have a friend visiting from New York and she’s a huge fan. She’ll absolutely murder me if I don’t introduce her.” She dropped her voice to a stage whisper. “I told her Asher isn’t all he’s cracked up to be in real life, but she refused to listen.” “I don’t mind. It’s something they have to learn for themselves,” I agreed with mock solemnity. “Thank you both. I appreciate you talking shit about me while I’m standing right here,” Asher said dryly.

“Don’t worry, darling.” The words feathered over my skin like tiny caresses. “We haven’t even started yet.”

“Technically, we’re not⁠—” She cut me off again. “He’s surrounded by testosterone every day, all day. I tell him, Asher, dear, it’s time to meet a nice girl and settle down. You won’t be a spring chicken forever, and I want to hold my grandbabies before I die. Does he listen? No.” She clucked her tongue. “So you can imagine how delighted I am that you’re here. Tell me, how did you meet Asher? Do you have a boyfriend? Are you interested in children anytime soon?” Scarlett gaped at her, her eyes wide. “Mother!” I finally interjected. “Please. Now is not the time or place for this.” Trust her to interrogate us about my love life in a hospital waiting room, hours after my father had a heart attack. No one compartmentalized their feelings better than Pippa Donovan. “That’s what you’ve said for the past five years,” she retorted. “I’m simply making conversation. Scarlett doesn’t mind, do you, dear?”

“Calling your brother to play a match with his rival-slash-your secret lover is a boss move,” Brooklyn whispered. “You have balls. I respect it. You deserve a feature story in Mode de Vie.” Carina giggled while I fought an exasperated sigh. “I don’t want a feature story in Mode de Vie or any other outlet. I just want to⁠—” “Bone your man all the way to Sunday and back again?” Brooklyn tossed me a devilish grin. “Understandable.” “Totally understandable.” Carina leaned over me to give the American a high five. “You have a way with words, Brook.” “Thank you.” Brooklyn beamed. “I try.” I scowled. “You know what? I’m sorry I introduced you guys. This”—I gestured to the both of them as they laughed at my expense—“is unacceptable.”

“You could look a little less entertained by her threat,” Asher said dryly. “Castration would be unfortunate for both of us.” “Yeah, but it’d be worse for you.” I offered a cheeky smile. “At least I have dildos to take over the—aah!” I squealed when Asher swept me up with a growl and carried me to the bedroom. “Let me down, you Neanderthal!” I pounded a fist against his back, but I was laughing when he finally laid me down on the bed. He hovered over me, his face creased with a mock scowl. “What were you saying about dildos?” “That they’re one of mankind’s greatest inventions?”

“I still can’t believe you’re Frank Armstrong’s daughter and that you hid it from us.” Carina came in behind Brooklyn with an empty glass and a plate of crisps. “But you got us VIP seats for the match, so you’re forgiven. All hail nepotism.”

Vincent didn’t appear to be listening anyway. His attention had dropped to my trainers (I never wore my cleats to the stadium before a match). Disbelief bloomed across his face. “Were you the guy in my sister’s shower when I dropped by her flat over the summer?” Fuck. “Technically,” I said with great caution. “I was in the bath.” “Christ!” A resulting string of French swear words echoed in the sterile hallway. “She told me it was someone from RAB!” I cleared my throat. “Also technically, I was someone from RAB. At least for the summer.” Vincent’s eye twitched.

“You never answered my question from the hospital.” Your team or your son? I needed to hear him say it. My father looked back at me, his face unreadable. “The team will always be there,” he said. “But I only have one son.”

“Did you two finally kiss and make up?” Elliott, a midfielder, called from his seat next to the fireplace. “Are our parents not divorced anymore?” Laughter erupted around the room. “Excuse me.” Vincent looked insulted. “I’ve been your captain for years. He only transferred in this year.” He jerked his thumb at me. “We are not on the same level. There’s only one parent here, and it’s me.” “Sure,” I said. “You can be the annoying parent. I’ll be the fun older brother.” He glared at me, but the expression lacked heat.

“So,” he said. “I heard you got back together with your girlfriend.” My mouth fell open before I snapped it shut again. Of all the topics I thought he’d want to discuss, my love life wasn’t one of them. Not to mention…how the hell did he know about me and Scarlett? “My daughter is friends with your girlfriend,” Coach said, answering my unspoken question. “She talks. So do they.” His jerked his chin toward the door, his face crumpled with a scowl. “Can’t tell whether I’m running a team of professional athletes or an episode of bloody Gossip Girl at times.” Add Coach knowing what Gossip Girl was to the second shocker of the day. “Yes, Scarlett and I are back together, sir,” I said, unsure where this was leading. “Does she know what an idiot she’s dating?” “Yes, sir, and she loves me anyway.”

gestured at the books. “I had special editions made of all her titles so she could sign them for you in person.” I’d found a printer who could bind personal copies in hardcover with all the bells and whistles—foiling, fancy formatting, and a bunch of other features that went over my head but that the printer insisted Scarlett would love. Judging by the glossy sheen that brightened Scarlett’s

ADIL Welcome to the Blackcastle Book Club’s official group chat! Seriously? You put a picture from The Land Before Time as the group’s profile picture? ADIL Why not? It’s a good movie STEVENS Dude, that’s so wrong. It’s a children’s film, and we’re reading about dinosaurs boning ADIL It’s a good thing we’re not making them read the books, isn’t it?

ADIL Our first official meeting is on Wednesday. I want everyone to come prepared with at least one discussion question GALLAGHER Dibs on the ‘how do you shag a spinosaurus’ question ADIL You can’t ask that. It has to be a THOUGHTFUL question VINCENT How thoughtful do you want us to be? We’re literally reading about dinosaurs fucking

“I hate to interrupt, but do you mind if I steal Scarlett away?” Asher’s smooth voice interjected along with a hand on my hip. “I have something important I need to show her.” Brooklyn smirked. “I’m sure you do.” Heat scalded my face. “Get your mind out of the gutter.” “Nah. It’s a fun place to be, but I can take a hint.” She winked at us on her way to say hi to Adil. “Have fun.”