The Defender (Gods of the Game, #2)

by Ana Huang

wasn’t even about the lack of romance in my life; it was about being someone’s priority. Having an anchor. Knowing there was a person out there who would be my first call if shit went down and vice versa.

was a balloon drifting aimlessly through the crowd while everyone around me found their tethers.

Instead, I was greeted by a distressingly familiar face: light brown skin, dark brown eyes, and full lips that slowly curved into a smile that would make most women swoon. Key word: most. My own smile vanished. “Oh. It’s you.”

“Don’t sound so happy to see me, buttercup. I’ll get the wrong idea.” I suppressed a laugh at Brooklyn’s eye roll.

Long, wavy blonde hair that shimmered like gold in the sunlight. Big blue eyes. Full lips and an adorable smattering of freckles across her nose. It was like God had sent her specifically to test me—I mean, us. The team in general.

Brooklyn may look angelic, but she had the tongue of a viper. It was oddly attractive. I shouldn’t enjoy verbally sparring with her so much. She was the manager’s daughter, which meant he would rip my balls off if I looked at her the wrong way. On top of that, she was one of my sister’s best friends, which meant

Scarlett would also rip my balls off if I looked at her the wrong way. It was a lot of potential danger for one girl. The problem was, I’d never liked playing it safe.

Vincent DuBois might be able to charm everyone else he met, but I’d known he was trouble from the moment we met.

He was like the moon to my tide; his mere presence altered my gravitational field.

“Who’s the one who can’t control themself now?” “I never said I could control myself around you.”

your new security system. I bet your personality is enough to ward off any women who might think of setting foot in there.”

as much as I hated to admit it, I did find him infuriatingly attractive.

“You have to ask yourself—why are you risking the Boss’s wrath by living with her?” Asher mused. While I usually called Coach, well, Coach, Asher always referred to him as the Boss. “Maybe it’s because you have a crush on her.”

“Yeah, I was there when you basically dared her to let you move in. Why would you have done that unless you have a crush on her?”

We don’t love each other. We don’t hate each other either.

No matter where we were or how many people were around, Brooklyn could make the rest of the world fall away with one glance. I couldn’t explain how or why. She just…did.

Vincent had always been gorgeous, but the recent glimpses of his vulnerability tugged on my heartstrings in just the right way. The world loved the player, but I liked the flawed human underneath even more.

You giving me a pep talk, buttercup? You should come with me. So what you’re saying is, I’m special. That’s exactly what I’m saying.

Words that nearly killed me with their fierce sincerity. You’re Vincent fucking DuBois…You don’t need validation from outside brands.

But when I commit to something, personally or professionally, I’m all in. Loyalty is important to me, and I don’t jump into a partnership for the sake of having one. I hope you understand.”

was the one who wanted her so much that I couldn’t breathe when she was near.

One glimpse of her skin, one graze of her fingers, and I’d almost crashed the damn car. It’d taken all my willpower not to react when I’d been silently dying inside.

“Okay. You’re not mad, but you have to admit this is a little weird.” I gestured between us. “We usually have a much easier time talking to each other.”

“That’s because I don’t want to be around you right now.”

“That’s not why I don’t want to be around you.” “Then what’s the reason? Either tell me, or leave,” I snapped.

“The reason is because I couldn’t stop thinking about you while I was gone. Then

I come home to see you sitting there, doing nothing except existing, and I can’t fucking breathe.” His voice was low and taut. “Maybe you were right. I am pissed at you because you can float through the kitchen, making pancakes and cracking jokes, while I’m using every goddamn ounce of willpower not to touch you. That’s why I don’t want to be around you. You’re killing me, and you don’t even know it.” He

“Then why’d you stay?” “Because I can’t fucking say no to you if I tried.”

This always happened. Something good came along, and I’d find a way to ruin it. If I had a therapist, they’d probably call it self-sabotage. I couldn’t help it. People liked the shiny, bubbly version of me, but if they saw what a mess I was on the inside, they’d leave. It was easier to keep them at arm’s length and to push them away first than to suffer the devastation of them abandoning me.

Is it because of the bet? Not everything is about the bet, Brooklyn.

There was no one around to put me back together, and that just made everything hurt a little more.

His forehead creased. His gaze swept over my face and shirt and back up again. “What’s wrong? Who made you cry?” he demanded. His unexpectedly fierce protectiveness made my throat ache with fresh emotion. “No one. It’s my allergies.” I sniffled and wiped my nose with the back of my hand again. “The pollen is, um, killer this week.” “Brooklyn.”

There was no judgment, only solid, comforting strength

Every piece and facet of her. They shone so brightly I couldn’t look away. The truth had always been there, waiting for its moment in the sun. It’d compelled me to invite her to Budapest even though I knew it was a bad idea, and it’d made me want to kill anyone who made her cry.

I hope you stay. It wouldn’t be the same without you. Who made you cry? I’m glad you’re here.

I’d spent my whole life feeling like a background character in the movie of my own life. There, but insignificant. I could disappear, and the lives of those around me wouldn’t change in any major way. I wasn’t arrogant enough to think I should be the main character everywhere I went. I didn’t need to be the center of everyone’s world. But just once, I’d like to be with someone who thought I was as important to them as they were to me. Scarlett and Carina were the closest I’d gotten to that feeling of reciprocity. But Vincent was the only relationship that felt truly equal. When he showed concern, it was genuine. When he said he wanted me there, I believed him.

“That day at my flat. If the fire hadn’t happened, and my dad hadn’t shown up…” My voice sounded almost too breathy to be mine. “Would you have kissed me?”

I was tired of pretending when all I wanted was her.

“You would’ve kissed me even if it meant losing the bet?”

“Brooklyn.” I lowered my voice, my throat strained. “I’d lose every single fucking bet in the world if it meant I could be with you.” Her breath audibly hitched. “You don’t really mean that.”

was admiring your choice of underwear.” “The person who bought them has good taste.” He stripped them off. “And I like to have part of her with me. Always.”

“And us? What happens next?” Vincent’s frown softened. “What happens next is simple. We’re together. Exclusively. No more games, no more uncertainty.”

tender. “In case you had any doubt, you’re mine, and I’m yours. I don’t care who knows. In fact, I want the whole fucking world to know because I’m done hiding.”

Even if he did, I’d tell him the truth anyway because if I had to choose between being with Brooklyn and staying on Coach’s good side, I’d pick her. Every time, over anything.

that. But that’s because I never met anyone who made me want to focus on something other than football—until Brooklyn. This is real, and I’m not going to fuck it up. I promise.” Coach snorted. “You’re trying to tell me you’re that serious about my daughter.” “Yes.”

“At the end of the day, it was a choice. I chose you.” I chose you.

And as we walked back to my car, her hand in mine, I realized that the most dangerous person in my world wasn’t the intruder or my birth mom or any rival footballer. It was Brooklyn, because she was the only person alive with the power to unravel me.

My throat thickened, and something warm and fierce swelled in my chest. This wasn’t about me, but her

unflinching defense of me knocked the air out of my lungs. I didn’t know what I did to deserve this girl, but I knew that I was never letting her go.

“I was enjoying a testosterone-free chat with the girls, but I guess I’m happy you’re here. You’re nice eye candy.”