God of Temptation

Chapter 32

~Remington~

I pace back and forth in the locker room, feeling the weight of my teammates' stares drilling into me like laser beams, questioning my sanity.

Can't blame them, really. I've been prowling like a caged panther for a good thirty minutes, racking my brain for the perfect excuse to invite Ariella to tonight's game. I don't want to come on too strong, but I definitely want her there, soaking in the atmosphere.

Then again, it's not like the world will end if she doesn't show.

Tonight's match against King U. is crucial. Their defense is as sturdy as a castle wall, making scoring challenging. But fear not, for I am Remington Astor, and victory is as good as ours. We've faced them countless times, and every single time, I've ensured we emerged triumphant. I just want Ariella to witness my prowess firsthand.

But why do I want her to witness it?

"Remi, are you nervous?" Easton's voice cuts through the tension, bringing my pacing to an abrupt halt. His eyes widen with disbelief, mirrored by the rest of the team's curious gazes.

Ridiculous! As if I, the team captain, would succumb to nerves.

"What? No, not nervous. Just contemplating how to extend an invitation to someone," I reply honestly, hoping they'd offer a more brilliant idea.

Easton gapes at me, as if I am suddenly speaking an entirely another language that isn't even in existence, "You don't need to invite anyone, they always are there because of you."

"Well, they aren't just anyone." I think Ariella would be there, but she also doesn't usually like the crowd. Also I want her to know, that I want her there at my game.

Collin, my trusty defenseman and confidant, chimes in, "Just ask her to come."

"Oh, wow, Collin, groundbreaking suggestion. Why didn't I think of that sooner?" I retort, mockingly. Seriously, do they think I'm daft?

"Well, if that's a no, how about boasting about our winning streak against this team?" Coach Shawn's voice slices through the tension, snapping everyone to attention.

We stand in formation, ready for our pre-game pep talk. The coach launches into his usual spiel, but my mind is elsewhere, fixating on his suggestion to subtly pique Ariella's interest.

How did he know it's a 'she' I'm inviting?

The team belts out our customary chant before hitting the court. My thoughts race, faster than I'd like.

Collin's hand lands on my shoulder, a silent reassurance amidst the whirlwind of thoughts.

"Who's she?"

Even Collin can sense it's a 'she' now. Suddenly, the idea of Ariella at the game feels off.

"What do you mean?" I manage to keep my voice steady, though my insides are twisting uncomfortably.

"The girl who's got you all worked up. Who is she?" Collin rephrases, and instead of comforting me, his question leaves me unsettled. Yet, there's a strange sense of satisfaction in it.

"Not the time, we've got a game," I brush off his inquiry, relieved to avoid the topic of Jailbait.

On the court, facing off against our opponents, I don't feel like I'm in my element anymore.

In the midst of the game, the crowd's chants echo my name, urging me to seize the moment and score.

Yet, the ball remains in my hands as the coach's exhortations blend into the background. Instead, my gaze drifts toward the crowd, stopping at one single face.

It's the most beautiful face I've ever got to lay eyes on.

A face that ignites a swarm of butterflies within me.

A face that sets my heart racing, as if I've just won life's grandest prize.

A face that gets me hard in no time. I move to adjust so the crowd doesn't see my boner.

A face that fills me with undeniable joy.

Ariella's face.

Her blue-green eyes clash beautifully with my own brown, creating an entire world within their depths.

Ariella's face is my favorite sight, and for the life of me, I don't want to look away.

As Ariella looks on, urging me to take the shot and secure the win, I make my move, only to have the referee's whistle pierce the air, signaling the game's end.

We've lost. It's a first for me, yet it feels like I've hit the jackpot.

Coach's disapproving stare locks onto me, and I know I'm going to get shit for the costly lapse in judgment. But, for once, I couldn't care less.

My thoughts are consumed by Ariella, who came to the game, despite hating the crowd-a gesture that speaks volumes.

For once, a realization settles within me: what I feel for Ariella isn't just a passing crush. It's something deeper, more potent. Something that could be my downfall, and yet, I've never felt more alive.

"What the fuck happened to you in there, Remi?" Coach Shawn's voice thunders through the locker room, shaking me to my core.

I resist the urge to flinch, his words piercing through my ears like daggers.

Maintaining a stoic facade, something I rarely adopt, I mutter a feeble apology-though I'm not truly sorry.

"I didn't ask for an apology, I asked what happened to you out there?" Coach repeats, his teeth clenched with frustration.

God, I'm scared.

"Well, truth be told, I'm not entirely sure myself. My mind just went blank," I confess.

Coach pinches the bridge of his nose and whirls around. "Get out," he mutters, his words heavy with disappointment.

I hear it loud and clear, and I waste no time making my way to Ariella.

She's seated on a bench, her legs drawn together, clad in skinny jeans and a crop top that hugs her waist perfectly, accentuating her sculpted midriff. Her denim jacket rests neatly in her lap.

As I approach, her head lifts, sensing my presence.

She springs up and rushes toward me.

Her eyes, like a rainforest, brim with concern. "Are you okay?"

An involuntary smile tugs at my lips. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you lost against a shit team, and your coach seemed pretty pissed off," she reasons.

My hands cradle her cheeks, my heart overflowing with myriad emotions. "nous sommes définitivement permanents."

"Huh?"

"I'll make sure to come back stronger next time," I declare.

She chuckles. "I believe you." Standing on tiptoes, she plants a kiss on my cheek, sending my heart racing once more.

Taking her hand in mine, I lead her out of the court.

We are definitely permanent.