Book one | Alexa Harvey, a celebrated actress known for her fierce independence and uncompromising nature, has always steered clear of the sports world. But when her latest film role requires her to shadow Jude Bellingham, a rising football star wit...
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Alexa stood in her kitchen, peering into her fridge as she mentally prepared for what was about to happen.
It was the first time Jude and Jobe were coming over to her place, and while she'd entertained guests before, something about this felt different.
There was a strange mix of excitement and nerves bubbling in her chest, especially with the knowledge that tonight was supposed to be all about fun.
No drama, no intense discussions—just a relaxed evening playing cards.
As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Alexa quickly grabbed a bowl of chips from the counter and made her way to the front door. She took a deep breath, then opened it with a bright smile.
"Hey, you two," she greeted.
Jude was leaning casually against the doorframe, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans, looking as effortlessly handsome as always. Jobe stood beside him, grinning from ear to ear, already looking like he was up to something.
"Evening, Alexa," Jude said, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her.
"Hi, Alexa!" Jobe chimed in, practically bouncing on his toes as he spoke. "Ready to lose all your money to me in cards tonight?"
She chuckled, stepping aside to let them in. "Not a chance, Jobe. But you're welcome to try."
They walked into the living room, and Jude glanced around, taking in the space. It was warm and inviting, a mix of modern and personal touches that made it feel like home. The walls were decorated with a few art pieces she'd collected over the years, and the furniture was comfortable, with plenty of cushions and throws to give it a cozy vibe.
A small collection of framed photos sat on the mantle, mostly of her family and a few close friends, though she couldn't help but notice how barren the space was of recent memories.
"This place is nice," Jude commented as he took a seat on the couch, his eyes still roaming the room. "It suits you."
"Thanks," Alexa said, feeling a slight blush rise to her cheeks. "I wanted it to feel comfortable. Somewhere I can just unwind."
"Well, it definitely works," Jobe said, already making himself at home as he plopped down next to Jude. "So, what's the plan? Poker? Blackjack? I'm ready to take you both down."
Alexa laughed, grabbing a deck of cards from the coffee table and tossing them to Jobe. "How about we start with something simple, like Go Fish? We'll save the high-stakes games for later."
"Go Fish?" Jobe feigned shock, holding the deck of cards like it was a foreign object. "I was hoping for something a little more... sophisticated."
"Trust me, Jobe," Jude said with a smirk. "You'll lose at that too."
Jobe shot him a mock glare but started shuffling the cards nonetheless. "You're lucky I like you guys. Otherwise, I'd be out of here in a flash."
As they settled in to play, the atmosphere lightened even more. Alexa took a seat on the floor across from the brothers, leaning back against the couch as she grabbed a handful of chips from the bowl.
