The Defender (Gods of the Game, #2)

by Ana Huang

It wasn’t my mom’s intention to make me feel invisible; it never was. But that made it worse. Careless cruelty always cut deeper than intentional malice.

😕

That was the beautiful irony of the bet—it gave us “permission” to kiss the other, but it effectively ensured we wouldn’t, thereby keeping us safe from emotional vulnerability and any other consequences that might arise if we ever gave in to our attraction.

Good luck

It was a complete one-eighty from my easy conversations with Vincent. I wish he were here. The thought came to me with sudden force.

We don’t love each other. We don’t hate each other either. Two sentences that encapsulated our long-standing dynamic.

It wasn’t my place to question Brooklyn’s relationship with her mother, but I’d never met the woman and I already kind of hated her.

Same

Did I say I kind of hated her mother? I was wrong. I hated her, full stop.

I wanted her to want me, and I needed her to make the first move. That was the only way I could be sure.

Because I 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.

“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.”

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.”

It was…fuck, it was her. Every piece and facet of her. They shone so brightly I couldn’t look away.

“I’m so excited to go out with you guys,” Seth said when we left the restaurant.

Stalker

When he showed concern, it was genuine. When he said he wanted me there, I believed him. And when he looked at me the way he was doing now, with dark heat and aching tenderness, I never wanted to look away.

“The last time I took your advice, I walked in on you shirtless after you almost burned down her bloody flat.” I wisely kept my mouth shut. Some statements did not need a response for the safety of all those involved.

😂😂

“I hate to break it to you, but look around. There aren’t many single women here. It’s family and couples central.” “I don’t need a ton of options.” “No?” “No.” His dimple deepened. “I just need one.”

While Mason launched into a monologue about his life lately, my gaze latched onto the shopping bag in his hand. It was from a sports memorabilia vendor. A Blackcastle scarf and shirt peeked from a cloud of white tissue paper.

Ohhh or maybe HE’S the stalker 🤔

“You ruin me,” I said, my voice barely there. Then I leaned in, my lips brushing hers in the softest of kisses, and my ruination was complete.

I’d never imagined I would find someone who made me feel the way he did, like I was finally whole and seen. Like every broken part of me was just a little softer and more at peace when I was around him.

“I’d choose you. Every time. Because you’re it for me, Brooklyn Armstrong. There’s nothing and no one else I love more.”