Playing to Win (The Players)

“Oh, your apartment is so cute.” Mom enters my place ahead of Dad, stopping in the living room and slowly looking around, her hands resting on her hips. Her gaze lands on me and she smiles. “I love it.”

I return the smile. “Thanks, Mom. We like it too.”

“Where is Natalie?”

“She had to work but she’ll be at the game and she’s going to sit with you guys,” I answer, my gaze tracking my father’s every move.

He’s currently examining the window that overlooks the parking lot, a faint frown on his face. “This window doesn’t look that secure.”

Always watching out for my safety. I love that about him.

I go to where he’s standing and pull on the cord that lifts the blinds, showing him the stick that sits in the sill, preventing the window from opening beyond a tiny crack. “We’re safe, Dad. Every window in the apartment has these.”

Ace made sure of it after his climbing through my bedroom window incident. He installed a new screen on my window the very next day and had these rods made for all of our windows, even Natalie’s because he’s just that great.

Ugh, sometimes I can’t stand how great he is. Especially when I can’t publicly share his greatness.

Pretending not to care about him is becoming harder and harder.

“Good,” Dad says, nodding his approval.

I wish I could tell him Ace is the reason we’re safe. Ace is the reason for a lot of things in my life, all of them positive and wonderful. But I have to keep my relationship with him quiet for only a few more months.

Months. That sounds impossible, but we can do it. I know we can.

My parents came to visit me for the weekend and they’re going to a football game because as Dad says, he wants to see me in action. It’s my turn to be on the sidelines to get footage.

Really? I think my dad just wants to watch the team play. I know he’s excited for me and is proud of me, but I also know where his true love lies.

With my mom and football.

“Are you excited for today?” Mom asks. They arrived last night and I picked them up from the airport. We went to one of their favorite restaurants for dinner and then we hung out at their hotel for a little bit before I headed home. Now they’re picking me up before we go to the game.

“I’m a little nervous,” I admit. “I’ve never been alone on the sidelines before, filming content.”

The last time it was my turn, they allowed two people from the social media team to be down there and I went with Eric. Now I’m on my own.

“You’re going to do great,” Mom says firmly as she wanders into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator. I want to roll my eyes because I know she’s checking on what we’ve got inside, which isn’t much. “Are you eating okay, honey?”

See? “Nothing but junk food and Taco Bell runs,” I tell her.

She shuts the fridge and turns to look at me. “Please tell me you’re at least drinking plenty of water.”

I point at my water bottle sitting on the kitchen table. “I pee day and night.”

“TMI,” Dad teases. He likes using acronyms. Says it keeps him feeling young.

“I just worry about you,” Mom says, her voice full of concern. “Just because you don’t live with us anymore doesn’t mean I don’t want to take care of you.”

“Aw, Mom.” I go to her and wrap her up in a big hug. “You have Dad to take care of, and he needs as much help as he can get.”

“I resent that,” he mutters, making us laugh.

“He doesn’t let me fuss over him much,” she admits, squeezing me. “Though neither do any of my children.”

I pull out of her embrace and smile at her. “I’m eating okay. I promise it’s not always Taco Bell.”

“At least have a taco from there,” she says. “They have lettuce.”

Rolling my eyes, I show them the rest of the apartment before we end up back in the living room.

“What time do you have to be at the stadium again?” Dad asks once he’s settled on the couch.

“Soon.” I pluck my phone from the back pocket of my jeans and check the time, surprised to see I have a text notification from Ace.

Acey Baby: Miss you. Good luck today.

I’m smiling, just staring at my screen when Dad says, “Who’s the text from?”

I jerk my head up, my smile fading. My brain scrambling. “A friend.”

His phone rings and he checks it, holding it up to show my brother’s name flashing on the screen. “I’m going to take this.”

Before we can respond, he’s already on his feet and out the door, standing on my front balcony and talking to Knox.

I send a quick text to Ace.

Me: Shouldn’t I be the one wishing you luck today?

I accompany it with a bunch of heart emojis and pocket my phone.

“What friend has you smiling like that?” Mom asks, her tone curious.

My face flushes. I can feel the heat sweep over my skin and God, I hate myself right now. “It’s no one.”

She just looks at me.

“Seriously.”

“Uh huh.” She leans forward, resting her arms on her thighs. “Is it a boy?”

The look on my mother’s face has my resolve weakening into dust. Just like that, I open my mouth and the story pours out.

I tell her everything. Well—I leave out the sexual stuff because yikes, I’m not going to admit all that to her—but I let her know that I’m involved with Ace and we’re totally into each other, but we can’t be because of that stupid agreement I signed.

“You really like him,” Mom concludes when I finish speaking. I can’t believe my dad is still outside talking on the phone.

“I do,” I say, vaguely miserable.

“You always said you wouldn’t date a football player,” she reminds me.

“I guess I lied.” I shrug. “He’s just so—ugh. There’s something about him. He’s confident and sweet and kind. He’s the reason we have all of those sticks or whatever in the windows. He’s protective and he’s nice and we have fun together. He makes me laugh. He’s a good kisser.” Mom laughs and I think my face is now on fire. “I think he cares about me.”

That’s a lie. I know he cares about me.

“Are you in love with him?” Mom asks.

The door slams open before I can answer, Dad striding inside with Knox still on the phone. Dad switches it to speaker and says, “Go ahead and tell them what you did last night, Knox.”

“I asked Joanna to marry me,” my brother announces.

“Oh my God!” Mom squeals, leaping to her feet and rushing toward Dad so they can both crowd around the phone. “I need every single detail, Knox. Where’s Joanna? Can you FaceTime us? I want to see the ring!”

Within minutes we’re watching Knox and Joanna on my father’s phone screen, Joanna holding up her hand and showing us the giant diamond on her finger. Mom is practically crying, she’s so excited. Knox and Jo can’t stop smiling at each other and Dad is proud.

“Congratulations, you guys,” I say, thrilled for them. Envious that they can bask in each other’s love and don’t need to hide it.

“Thank you, Ruby. Where’s Natalie?” Joanna asks me. “I keep trying to call her and she won’t pick up.”

“She’s at work, but she should be off soon,” I tell her. “Text her and tell her to call you later. She’ll want to hear this.”

“I will.” Joanna pauses, her gaze sticking on me. “Ruby, would you be one of my bridesmaids? I know I should do some elaborate thing where I send you all gifts with my request and I’ll do that eventually, I swear—”

I interrupt her, unable to help myself.

“Are you serious?” I rest my hand against my chest, honored. “I would love to be.”

There’s more excited-talking about a wedding and what time of year is best. The call ends pretty much after that, Joanna eager to try to get a hold of her best friend. I sneak a glance at my phone while Mom and Dad are still chattering away about the upcoming nuptials and I read Ace’s response.

Acey Baby: We’ve got this game in the bag, just like you do. You’re going to do great.

Me: So are you.

Acey Baby: It’ll be nice to have you on the field with me.

Me: You have to ignore me. Pretend I don’t exist.

Acey Baby: Impossible. You’re all I see.

My heart swells. He says the best things, and they never feel cheesy either.

“Should we go soon?” Dad asks, and I can tell he’s eager to leave.

“Let me grab my stuff and then I’ll be ready.”

I send Ace one last text.

Me: See you soon.

Acey Baby: Can’t wait Red.

It’s just about the end of halftime and I tilt my head back, marveling at the gorgeous weather. The air is crisp and cool and the sky is blue, dotted by the occasional white fluffy cloud. There’s a cool breeze that sweeps through the stadium that makes me shiver and I’m grateful I wore my CU hoodie. By the time this game is over, it’s going to be cold.

We’re winning with four touchdowns to their one and I get the feeling Ace was right. It’s going to be an easy win. So far, I’ve recorded some great footage and I can’t wait to share it with Eric and Gwen, who are currently sitting in the stands, not too far from where my parents and Natalie are sitting.

Our team jogs out onto the field accompanied by the roaring crowd and my gaze finds Ace. And his finds me too, like we’re two magnets drawn to each other and the slow, easy smile that spreads across his face has butterflies dancing in my stomach.

He’s so freaking handsome. And strong and capable and confident. Women scream for him throughout the game. Make signs with some pretty inappropriate stuff written on them. I know this sort of thing goes on all the time and I should be completely immune to it, but when it comes to the guy I’m dating in secret?

It’s annoying. I want to tell them all to back off. That Ace Townsend is mine.

But I can’t do any of that.

My phone buzzes and I check it to find a text from Gwen.

You’re doing great! Can’t wait to see what you filmed!

I smile at my screen, happiness bubbling up inside of me. Who knew grumpy Gwyneth could be so encouraging? She’s definitely not so moody thanks to her and Eric being together all the time.

The game continues on and it’s such a relief that it’s going to be a big win. The tension has completely evaporated from the sidelines and the team is joking and laughing with each other, easy grins on their faces. I check the scoreboard for the time when our defensive line runs out onto the field, grateful to see we only have a few minutes left when I sense someone approach me.

“Hey, Red.”

I turn at the familiar drawl to see Ace standing there, a little distance between him and his teammates, his focus one hundred percent on me.

“Hi.” I’m breathless, my heart hammering in my chest. Just having his attention on me, even for a little bit, can almost feel like too much.

“Looking good out here.” His gaze slowly scans me from head to toe. “I like having you close.”

“You might’ve mentioned that already,” I tease him, feeling flirtatious since no one is paying any attention to us.

You know, just an entire stadium full of people could be watching us, but no biggie.

“I meant it.” His gaze locks with mine. “Whatcha doing later tonight?”

I shrug. “Hanging out with my parents. They want to go to dinner.”

He nods slowly. “That sounds nice.”

The expectant look on his face tells me he wants to go with us, and I—I want him to come too.

“Do you have plans after the game?”

“Not sure. The usual? Logan’s and whatever.” He shrugs those broad shoulders, the breeze ruffling his hair. It’s grown out a little and it flops over his forehead in the most appealing way. He wears a headband a lot of the time to keep it out of his eyes and when he does, I always think he looks adorable.

Clearly, I have a total thing for him and believe he’s adorable no matter what.

“You want to come with us?” Oh, this is dangerous, but we could write it off to my dad wanting to meet him. Dad always enjoyed meeting Knox’s teammates so that tracks.

Ace’s eyes light up. “You wouldn’t mind? People wouldn’t…say anything? About us together?”

I slowly shake my head. “We’ll go somewhere far away from campus. Not like anyone is going to catch us.”

“You don’t mind if I go?”

“Why would I mind? I want you to meet my parents.”

“I want to meet them. And not because your dad is who he is. I want to get to know them because well…you know.” He smiles.

I smile too.

I know. Because we’re basically together and this is the next step. An important step. Introducing Ace to the family.

Oh my God. This feels serious.

Glancing around, I take a few steps closer to him, my voice low so no one can hear us. “I’ll text you after the game and tell you where to meet us, okay?”

“Perfect.” He’s grinning. He looks very pleased with himself. Extra confident. It’s a good look for him. “I’ll see ya later, Red.”

A whistle blows, and without warning, Ace slaps my ass before he jogs out onto the field, leaving me standing there in shock. What was that?

God, hope no one noticed.