OFF LIMITS

CHAPTER SEVEN - Trouble

KAT

Mack has been actively avoiding me.

And typically, a hookup avoiding me would be a blessing. But for some reason, when Mack avoids me, it grinds my gears.

They have a game on Friday, and then they get on the road for a few back-to-back away games, so if I want to find out why Mack got traded here, I need to find out now.

But since he pretty much walks the opposite way every time he sees me, I see myself compelled to act like a stalker and wait for him by his car.

How did I find out which car was his? I'm not actually proud of the level of stalking I stooped to get this information, so I'll keep it to myself.

When my dad is busy talking with Myers, I sneak out and make my way to the parking lot to lean against Mack's Range Rover.

I spot him walking from afar, wearing a black hoodie and grey sweatpants.

Stupid grey sweatpants. I can't fucking contain myself from staring at the outline of his dick whenever he wears those. Especially knowing that what's behind that piece of fabric is impressive.

His hair is wet from the shower, as it always is after practice, and he's strolling with his head hung low.

I've watched Mack put all of himself during practice since he got here. He's constantly looking at my dad for a fraction of approval that the old man never gives him.

The assistant coach that works with the offense has been preparing Mack, Myers, and Hudson for the first game they'll play together on the first line, and my dad just stands there, giving pointers but never telling Mack that he's doing a good job.

During practice, you can see Mack carrying that distinctive confident sparkle that he had at the bar, but as soon as practice is over, that sparkle disappears, and this exhausted version of the cocky guy I met at the bar comes to light.

I've seen it every day while I stalked him to find out which car was his.

When he starts getting closer to the car, he lifts his head and spots me here. His ocean-blue eyes light up a fraction, and my heart spins.

My heart is still figure skating, which apparently happens often when Mack is around.

His strides get faster now that he sees me, and I want to smile so badly, but I'm supposed to be serious here.

I cross my arms and straighten my posture, trying to make myself look more intimidating. "You've been avoiding me."

His head tilts with a dumb, confused look, making him resemble a golden retriever, "Have I?"

He finally gets here and stands in front of me, looking as tall as ever. He smells as delicious as he did the other day in the utility closet, and I'm having trouble controlling myself from pulling him to me.

We're angry, Kat. We're angry, and we can't have sex with him again, so please keep your cool.

"You literally did a one-eighty flip when you saw me in the hallway the other day," I speak. Arms still crossed. Walls still up.

Mack runs a hand through his hair. "Okay, I might've done that, but only because I don't want your dad to get suspicious."

That's ridiculous. My dad is not suspicious at all. He definitely won't find out just from Mack acknowledging my presence every once in a while.

"What's with the ambush, anyway?" He asks before something interesting goes through his eyes, and his lips curve into that cocky smirk of his. "Have you missed me, Katharina?"