Page 51 of Tough Score

"We're missing a couple of other girls in our group. Brynn is on a book tour. She's dating Seven Wrenley. His daughter, Cammy, is somewhere around here, but on nights like these, she is always really busy."

I nod. I met Cammy when I came in for an interview with Sam.

Suddenly a warm hand slides across my lower back.

"Hi, Reeve," the women all say in unison.

"Hey, did you all meet Keely?" he asks.

"We did and we already adore her," Autumn says.

"Good," he says and then slides to my side. "I finished with media. Are you ready to go back to the apartment? My leg is getting tired. But you can stay if you want—"

"No, that's fine. I'll head back with you." I say, now realizing that he probably did overdo it, and now I want to make sure he gets ice on it asap.

When I glance back, all four women are watching us intently, smirks on their faces.

"It was nice to meet you all," I say.

They all smile and share the sentiment.

I turn around and start following Reeve back the way that Tessa brought me.

"Hey, Keely?" I hear one of the women say. Reeve and I both turn to glance back at them. "I have a feeling you'll be seeing more of us," Penelope yells and then winks.

When I look back at Reeve, he's already watching me.

Why does Reeve's world have to come with all the bells and whistles?

Chapter Seventeen

Keely

As I approach the city soccer league fields during the after-work hours, the smell of rain from earlier today, freshly cut grass, and the sound of whistles blowing, balls being kicked, and children playing, flood my senses.

The multi-soccer fields are packed with players and spectators who seem eager to start the games.

I scan all the teams across the vast soccer park, each with players in various colored jerseys stretching or warming up, preparing for their matches.

Finally, I spot the field with the familiar Tornados jerseys and notice the metal bleachers off to the side. I head for them, walking to take a seat before the game starts, when a tall figure in blue catches my eye, running straight towards me.

It's Jaxson.

His face breaks into a wide grin as he jogs up to me, his dark blue eyes twinkling. "You made it," he says, slightly out of breath. "I wasn't sure if you'd come."

Honestly, until going to the Hawkeyes home game with Reeve a few days ago and remembering the thrill of being part of a team again, while doing something that you love, I wasn't so sure if I would come either.

I'm glad that Reeve convinced me to come.

"I figured I should check it out," I look around at all the fields. That has to be at least a dozen games all prepping to take place simultaneously. "There's a lot of games going on today."

Jaxson nods, gesturing to the bustling fields around them. "Tuesday nights are always packed. It's great to see so many people out here enjoying the game."

"I can see that," I say, taking in the lively scene.

Jaxson's expression suddenly turns hopeful. "Listen, I hate to put you on the spot, but we're short a player today. One of our guys – his wife just went into labor."

"Oh, whoa…" I say, looking over the team out in front of me and seeing that they are, in fact, short a player.