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24

When the game ends, I'm still processing the fact that Ares Hidalgo dedicated a goal to me. A thousand thoughts have run through my head in the last ten minutes. Maybe he has a secret girlfriend that he calls Witch-someone who isn't me. But he looked at me and smiled . . . at me.

I'm overthinking.

I shouldn't let him get to me. I shouldn't let one gesture break my resolve to stay away from him. Yes, he might have dedicated a goal to me, but that shouldn't be enough, not after all the damage he's done.

Part of me-most of me-wants to run into his arms, but the rational part, the part that has regained her dignity, doesn't approve, and I decide to listen to her. Though I wonder if my decision is actually due to a different emotion, one that's new to me: fear. Fear of letting him in and getting hurt once more. I can't take it again, so I won't risk it.

"Wow, that was exciting," Dani says, pressing her elbow into my ribs playfully as we walk down the bleachers.

"Yeah," Apolo agrees. "I loved the game. Three-nil. That goalie deserved it after what he did to my brother."

"We have to celebrate!" Carlos tries to take my hand, but Dani, like an expert ninja, slaps him, deflecting him. "Ow!"

"You deserve it," I say, " I don't like being grabbed like that."

"Understood," assures Carlos.

I look at Yoshi, but he's looking weirdly serious.

"Guys, we should go congratulate the players," Apolo suggests.

Apolo's idea doesn't sound too good right now. I don't want to face Ares. It's one thing to be strong enough to stay away, and it's quite another to have that dedication when he's in front of me.

Dani notices my discomfort. "Nope, we'd better go to the celebration party."

"Celebration party?" I ask, confused.

Carlos pats me on the back. "Aren't you up to date with the social events, princess? It's the party the team holds when they win."

Of course, how could I forget the infamous Panthers' parties? I've only been to one because Dean invited us. Unfortunately, on that occasion I was completely invisible to Ares. He was always in a crowd of people.

We walk past the field as we head to the parking lot. I can't help but glance over to where the players are gathered, talking. Ares is there, completely drenched in sweat, his hair sticking to the sides of his face the same way his uniform is sticking to his body. How can he still look sexy when he's all sweaty? I need professional help.

His eyes meet mine, and I freeze. He gives me a mischievous smile and takes the edge of his shirt and pulls it off over his head. A lot of players walk around shirtless, so no one thinks it's strange. My eyes travel down his torso to where the word Witch has already faded. I bite my lip.

I hate my hormones.

Shaking my head, I look away and continue walking. I only manage to take a few steps before I crash into Yoshi. "Ow! I didn't see you!"

"Let's get out of here," he says. Yoshi takes my hand, and I let him even though I just told Carlos off for doing the same thing. He drags me to the parking lot, where everyone else is already waiting for us in Dani's car. Apolo has taken my place in the passenger seat, so I sit in the back in the middle of Yoshi and Carlos. They both smell great. I love it when a guy smells good. Ares smells divine.

Shut up, hormones!

The party house is located east of town, about ten minutes from my house. You can hear the music from outside, bass booming off the walls of the giant two-story building. There are groups scattered around the garden with plastic cups in their hands. I'm surprised to see so many people there already. They sure move fast when there's a party.