The Game Changer(56)

I don’t.

He laughed. “I actually don’t have a problem with it at all. I just need to know my boundaries.”

“What do you mean?” I jerked my head toward him as my muscles tensed.

He better not be talking about his boundaries with Cass. I’ll beat his ass right here in his cousin’s restaurant.

“I just mean, what exactly do you want from me? If someone heckles her, do you want to me to knock his teeth out, get him to shut up, or do nothing?”

This was my idea and I hated it already. The thought of someone else defending my girlfriend was agonizing. I should have been the one protecting her, but I was willingly handing that job over to another guy. A guy who looked like a fucking magazine model.

“I don’t think you should cause a scene unless it’s absolutely necessary. Don’t overreact, ’cause that will only lead to more bad press.” He nodded as I continued. “I basically don’t want Cassie to be alone at the games anymore. I figured she’d make friends with the other women on the team, but since that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen… I need to make other arrangements for her safety.”

“I understand.”

“And all this is fine with you? I need you to be sure,” I asked, waiting to sense any hesitation on his end.

“I’m sure. It’s not a problem.”

“Great.” I smiled, happy we’d come to an understanding. “Listen, that girl is my world, and I can’t stand the thought of anyone hurting her. I’d handle this myself if I could play the game and be by her side at the same time, but I can’t.”

“You need me to start tonight?”

“Yeah, if you can.”

“I cleared my schedule already.”

“Perfect. I appreciate you watching out for her.”

“I won’t let anything happen to her. I promise.” His expression turned serious, his mouth narrowing into a thin, tight line, and I believed him.





He Can Drive Me Anytime


Cassie

Matteo arrived at my office promptly at six, just like Jack texted he would. He waited for me downstairs with the car while I finished up some last-minute photo editing. Tonight’s game would be the first game he’d attend with me, and I was nervous. Not to be alone with Matteo, but because now I’d be photographed with some guy who wasn’t Jack.

It wasn’t like Matteo wasn’t a good-looking guy. He was downright gorgeous. I started wondering if this was a good idea after all. Were we unintentionally giving everyone more ammunition against me?

I sighed before heading down in the elevator, the stress of the situation starting to gnaw at me. I hated the things I had to think about now before I even walked out the door. All the added drama affected my ability to be happy. I was too concerned with everything around me to simply sit back and enjoy Jack’s time on the field.

I hated this.

I spotted Matteo the moment I exited the elevator. He smiled, and I couldn’t help but smile back in response.

“I get to be your date tonight,” he said with a wink.

Date?

“Yeah, I guess so,” I said, silently berating myself for agreeing with that word choice.

I walked toward the car, and when Matteo pulled open the back door, I declined, opening up the passenger door instead. “I hate sitting back there while you drive me around. It’s dumb.”

“You sure?” he asked with surprise.

“Yeah.” I nodded before sliding in and closing the door behind me.

I fastened my seat belt as Matteo scooted into the driver’s seat, starting the sleek Town Car with a flick of his wrist. “This should be fun, huh?”

“I hope so. Honestly I think it might create more drama at first, but hopefully that will die down in time.”

“More drama how? Because I’m going with you?”

I wondered how exactly to phrase what I meant. Matteo was stupid hot, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. “Matteo, it’s not like you’re ugly. So I’m sure it’s going to cause some sort of chaos.”

He laughed, and I noticed a hint of color creeping into his cheeks. “You think I’m pretty?”

“No,” I choked back. “I said I think you’re not ugly.”

“Well, thanks.” He grinned. “I think you’re not ugly either.”

Unsure of how to respond, I flashed a quick, tight-lipped smile instead. The last thing I wanted was to make things uncomfortable between us, so I dropped the subject altogether and reached for my phone. I typed out a quick text message to Melissa before gazing out of the car window at the city whizzing by in a blur.

“So, tell me what I’m in for tonight,” he asked.