The Striker (Gods of the Game, #1)

by Ana Huang

this is Josh, my boyfriend,” Jules added, gesturing at the man beside her. “It’s great to meet you.” Josh gave me a warm smile that revealed a devastating set of dimples. However, his smile visibly cooled when he glanced at Asher. “Donovan.” Asher looked like he was trying not to laugh. “Josh. Always a pleasure.” “We were on our way to our seats when I spotted you. I told him it was you, but he insisted it wasn’t. See?” Jules elbowed Josh in the side. “I was right.” “You were.” He didn’t sound particularly thrilled.

haha so Josh🤣

Asher met them at Queen Bridget’s wedding a couple of years ago (I still couldn’t believe he’d been a guest at the royal wedding of the century), and they’d kept in touch since. Well, he and Jules kept in touch. I could tell by Josh’s scowl that he was not an Asher fan.

every man hating on Asher😅

I inhaled a deep breath and allowed myself a moment to take it all in—the lights, the people, the ripple of anticipation coursing through the air. This wasn’t my dazzling star turn as a promising young ingénue. My performance wouldn’t be reviewed in The Guardian or have an encore at Westbury the following night. I would never be that dancer again, and—for the first time since my accident—I was at peace with it. That chapter of my life had closed, but this time, I could close it on my own terms.

I pictured the people waiting on the other side of the curtain. There were strangers, yes, but there were also people there for me. People who loved me, supported me, and would never judge me no matter how well or how poorly I performed. They were my rocks, and thinking about them quelled some of my nerves.

For years, I’d avoided participating in the showcase because I was scared I wouldn’t live up to who I used to be. I’d finally faced those fears and learned to appreciate my body in all its forms. I had to scratch and claw my way toward this moment, but I made it. I was here, and that was an accomplishment in and of itself.

Inside the alcove, a striking woman with purple-black hair paused her conversation with her partner and rose from her seat behind a small table. A pile of books was stacked neatly on its polished surface. “Hi!” Her smile dazzled. “You must be Scarlett. I’m Isabella. Are you a hugger? I’m a hugger.” Scarlett made a strangled noise when Isabella Valencia, her favorite author, came around the table to greet her with a big hug.

Aww

“Isabella hasn’t done a UK tour yet, but I figured a personal meet and greet would be more fun than standing in line for hours anyway.” I gestured at the books. “I had special editions made of all her titles so she could sign them for you in person.”

My kind of man😍🤭

“When Asher emailed me about doing this, it was a no-brainer,” Isabella said, rescuing Scarlett from her speechlessness. “I didn’t care that I had to fly here from New York. His idea was the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.” Behind her, Kai frowned, looking insulted.

We hadn’t officially exchanged gifts yet (though the special edition books were my anniversary presents to her), but she didn’t even need to give me anything. Seeing her that happy had already made my night.

Isabella also insisted on taking photos of me and Scarlett to “document our night.” Kai did the honors. I heard he was quite nice and gentlemanly compared to other CEOs, but he didn’t look very nice and gentlemanly to me. He looked like he wanted to roast me alive, especially during my photo with Isabella—the one she’d asked for. Jesus. What had I ever done to him?

haha poor Asher😅

We had time, and I wanted to savor this moment. It wasn’t just about the sex—it was about the fact that she trusted me enough to let go. To hand over the reins of control and let me take us where I wanted because she knew I would never hurt her. Her trust was more intoxicating than any sexual act.

“You are one of a kind, Asher Donovan.” She stood on tiptoes and gave me a soft kiss. “I love you.” “I love you, too.” I kissed her back, my heart giving a heavy thump of agreement. “More than anything else in this world.” I didn’t always appreciate the way other people said my full name—like I was a brand and a commodity instead of a person. But when Scarlett said it, she said it like she saw every piece of me—the good and the bad—and she loved me because of, not despite, the different facets of my character. I’d been surrounded by money and fame for most of my adult life. But this, right here, with Scarlett happy and content in my arms? This was all I truly needed.

VINCENT We already guessed that was the book of the month. We saw you reading it the other day Aren’t you supposed to read it with the rest of the club? Why are you reading it early? STEVENS Yeah, that’s CHEATING ADIL It’s called vetting. Also, I’m the admin. I can do what I want

SAMSON Wait, we have a president? ADIL Yes, it’s me ADIL Anyway ADIL Noah, can you call the dinosaur cracker company and ask them for custom spinosaurus snacks? ADIL Hello? ADIL Noah? Noah Wilson left the conversation.

obsessed with these interactions🙊 also, I can't wait to read Noah's story

I finally joined in the celebrations, my heart full to bursting as I hugged and clapped my teammates on the back. After all the shit we’d been through and all the obstacles we’d faced, we were bringing home the trophy. Christ, it felt good—more than good. It was euphoric.

“Good thing you didn’t screw that up!” Vincent shouted over the noise. His face gleamed with a mix of perspiration and elation. “If you had, I would’ve banished you from the team myself.” “Like you have the power!” I shouted back. I flipped him off, laughing again when the team set us down and Vincent attacked me with a bear hug. “Fuck you, Donovan!” he yelled in my ear. But he was grinning. We all were.

Finding her should’ve been impossible given how many people were jumping and running about, but I spotted her almost immediately. Even if there were seven hundred thousand instead of seventy thousand people here, I would’ve found her just as easily because a part of me would always be connected to a part of her.

Scarlett sat on the north side with Carina, Brooklyn…and my parents. My heart stopped for the second time that day. I blinked to make sure I was seeing correctly, but there was no mistaking my mother’s curly dark hair and my father’s grizzled beard. They hadn’t said a word about attending today’s match, but there they were, decked out in Blackcastle gear—even my father. My mother beamed and waved when she saw me looking. My father didn’t smile or wave, but his short nod was the most affirmation I’d gotten from him since I transferred.

I winked and blew her a kiss back. It was cheesy as fuck, but I didn’t care how many people groaned or how many front pages it would land on tomorrow. I meant it with all my heart.

“I’ll say hi to Brooklyn with you.” Vincent moved to follow me before I stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Don’t even think about it,” I warned. “Think about what?” He was the picture of innocence. “She is not going to go for you. Even if she did, her father wouldn’t. The Boss will literally murder you with his bare hands if you so much as breathe wrong near her.”

so excited to read their book next!

I’m not interested in her like that,” he said. “I admit, I was intrigued when I first met her, but she’s annoying.” “Because she’s the one woman not related to you who doesn’t fall all over you? And Carina doesn’t count. She’s basically your de facto sister.” “No. It’s because she’s annoying.” “You used to think Asher was annoying, and now you’re best friends.” Vincent’s mouth curled. “Best friends is pushing it. We tolerate each other.” “I’m standing right here,” Asher interjected. “But he’s right. We tolerate each other for the team and for you. That’s it.”

For now, I allowed myself to abandon my worries and sink into the pleasure of the moment. The past was the past, and the future was unpredictable. But the present? It belonged to us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.