Face Off (D.C. Stars, #1)

by Chelsea Curto

“Why is your face red?” Hudson asks. “Is Maverick Miller blushing?”

That earns me another half smile from her, and I want to collect them all. Shove them in my pocket and keep them for myself.

“Hold up,” I say, and every head in the room turns to look at me. I crack open the water bottle that’s sitting in front of Emerson and shove it toward her. “We’re not going to do that.” “Do what?” Simon asks, and he’s lucky there is a barrier between us. “Throw in the for a female athlete one-liner. You’ve been around since I was a rookie, Buttecker, and I’ve never heard you tell me my stats were good for a male athlete. If you’re going to cover us this season, you’re going to recognize Hartwell is an NHL player. Full stop.”

“You don’t have a girl’s handwriting inked on your body?” Her eyes bounce down my tattooed arm then back up. “I’m shocked.” “I don’t. Can I use yours?” I ask. “I’ll put pretty boy right over my heart.”

I’ve always considered myself a feminist, but there’s something so goddamn sexy about a man in a backwards hat that has me ready to drop to my knees for the patriarchy.

“I’d find a way to track you down.”

“You’re smiling right now, Red. You’ve got these little wrinkles around your eyes, and they’re the cutest damn thing. They make me want to stick around for a while.” “How long?” Forever. “Until you get sick of me.” “I’m not sure I’ll ever get sick of you,” Emmy admits. “You’re my favorite person in the world.” “Funny. You’re my favorite person too.”

“You deserve all the nice things, Emmy girl, and when you’re with me, I’m going to give them to you.” I love him.