The Long Game (Long Game, #1)(48)

Adalyn seemed distracted for a moment because it took her a bit to answer. “She called me a princess,” she finally said. My throat clogged for an instant. I had too. “And she’s mocking you and the team. I won’t allow that.”

Something softened inside my rib cage, appeasing me. But while I was as shocked as I was flattered by that defensive strike, I was also protective of keeping my anonymity, and there was a rather large crowd around. “I don’t know, boss. I say we be the bigger people and ignore her.”

I felt the tension in her body fly away. My arm was still around her. “You just called me boss.”

So I had. I searched our surroundings quickly, checking for curious eyes. Everyone but the other coach seemed distracted by the game. Ah, hell. “Remember how you said earlier we shouldn’t worry?” She nodded. “I think we should.”

“I could still get the ref to suspend that woman, you know?” she piped in. But her voice was softer. Calmer. “I’m convincing. And I also know very important people in the PRO.”

A chuckle escaped. It wasn’t the first and I was beginning to understand that it wouldn’t be the last, either. “I don’t think your contacts in the PRO are relevant here, darling. This is a little county league.” She grumbled, and my arm shifted, my fingers helplessly reaching forward and brushing that top I’d been eyeing before letting go. It felt like satin. She didn’t complain. “Let’s meet on Monday.”

Her chest expanded with a breath, and when she spoke it was only one word, “Why?”

Fuck if I knew, honestly. “Seems like we have work to do.”

Adalyn hesitated for an instant, but then she stepped closer until the tips of those shoes I despised touched my boots. She lifted her chin, assessing me. There were tiny freckles on the bridge of her nose. “I see,” she said slowly. “Maybe you have a third mode after all. Besides self-important and annoyed.”

I knew I did.

And without me really knowing how, that switch had just been flipped.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN



Adalyn


“My dearest Green Oak volunteers,” Josie said, opening her arms with a flourish. “Welcome to Green Oak’s annual BBBBL, or as we all know it, Beer, Barbecue, and Boogie By the Lake.”

Diane cleared her throat from the first row.

Josie’s smile tightened. “Yes, Diane?”

“Why did we change the name again?” she asked, making Josie’s lips stretch. “This was supposed to be our end of summer party by the lake. It should have been weeks ago, the last week of August, like every year.” That head of bright yellow turned in the direction of the stands. “Where are the corn dogs or the mini glazed donuts? We’re also serving more than just beer. And while you’re at it, I still don’t understand what you mean by boogie.”

Josie let out a chuckle that didn’t sound as lighthearted as she’d hoped, if I had to guess. “Well, Diane, if you would have paid a little attention during our spring council meeting, you’d remember that we were trying to spice things up for the upcoming seasons. You know, to bring in more people from all over the county with fun and catchy events that have fun and catchy names. Hence the boogie, hence the barbecue, hence the craft beer and hence”—her voice went high—“the change of name.”

“But there’s a coffee booth,” Diane countered. “And our end of summer party was fine. It was the best one in the county, if I may say so myself. I don’t get why we need to be attractive to folks from other towns.”

Josie’s whole expression bunched up as she launched herself into another discourse about why change was good.

The man standing next to me exhaled long and deep, catching my attention. His hand had risen to his hair and he was dragging it down the side of his head. By now, I knew a few of Cameron’s tells. He wasn’t happy to be here, and after watching him during yesterday’s game, I could guess it was because of the people this could bring. He’d flinched every time the crowd had stirred.

“It’s the boogie part, isn’t it?” I asked him in a hushed voice.

My question seemed to surprise Cameron, because when he looked over at me, it was with a frown. “Yeah.”

I wondered why he would put himself through this when he hated it so much. He really thought I would expose him. Guilt swirled in my stomach. “If Josie does so much as suggest we dance, I’m out of here.”

“We?”

“The volunteers,” I explained, feeling a wave of warmth climbing up my neck. The image of Cameron’s arms around me took shape in my mind. “I’ll hide in the woods if I have to. Even after Josie said some very disturbing things about them being possibly haunted. That is how bad I don’t want to boogie tonight.”

Cameron snorted.

“Out of everyone here, I’d thought you would believe that.”

Amusement flashed across his expression. “And why is that, darling?”

“Because your kind believe in lucky rituals and things like juju,” I pointed out with a shrug. I wanted to ask him if wearing the ring on a chain had been partly about that. “I’ve seen players do the most ridiculous things before games.”

Cameron’s eyes roamed around my face for a moment, as if searching for something. That stupid flush returned. “Not all footballers are the same.” He turned away, facing forward. “If you’re nice to me tonight I’ll take you on a hike and show you there are no ghosts. But you can’t come in those bloody shoes.”