Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

MAX

Running through the damp grass and dribbling the ball between my feet felt like a walk in the park instead of what it really was, advancing toward the opponent's goal without breaking contact with the ball. Every step got me closer to the goalie and the opponent's team closer to losing.

We were at the end of our extra time, seconds away from moving into penalties to decide who is going to win.

But in my mind, there was no question.

The win belonged to us.

The Titans never lost.

And we weren't going to start now.

My thighs burned from the past 99 and a half minutes I've spent running, but I pushed through the pain and ran faster.

The opposing team tried to catch up, their defenders doing their best to close in on me, but I broke away from them, and it was just me and the goalie.

His dark eyes widened, fearful, because his defensive players were nowhere near to stop me.

I was unstoppable.

Playing the ball between my feet, I continued to advance toward the goal without a second thought.

I kicked my feet with all the remaining strength and shot the ball, all the while smirking.

Lined straight, the ball landed in the net. Score!

Loud screams and shouts erupted from all around me, and the referee blew the whistle, ending the game.

My teammates rushed at me, jumping on top of me, their weight almost bringing me down.

"You did it, man!" my best friend, Dex, shouted, as he ruffled my hair.

"We did it." I laughed.

Soccer was a team sport and there was no point being a captain if there was no team.

"I was worried you would let us go to penalties." Maddox smirked. "You took your sweet-ass time."

"Yeah, I like to keep everyone on the edge of their seat."

"That was some fine soccer out there, son," Coach Parker praised, clamping my shoulder. I nodded as the last of adrenaline pumped through my body.

It wasn't just any win; I helped facilitate and made it happen. It was against our archnemesis, Westpoint University.

We beat them in their home. Because that was the Titan's way of winning.

Our rivalry was legendary. It'd been ongoing since San Matjo was created.

San Matjo is a little city in the middle of California and the only thing besides soccer that it's known for is the music festival. Westpoint and Hillview are the only two universities co-existing in this city and our soccer teams are going head-to-head all the time. Most Major League Soccer players come from this no-name area and gain fame.

The crowd raved at our win, which was funny, considering we were standing at Westpoint's soccer field as we wiped the floor with them.

Oh, the irony.

Cheeks aching from my grin, I slipped into my blue sweater before I lined up with my teammates and shook hands with the opponents.

Respect mattered, after all.

The Lion's' captain, Ander Sanchez, did his best to crush my hand, glaring daggers at me.

"Lose with some dignity, dude. Same way you take cock." I grinned, making him grit his teeth.

It was easy to piss Sanchez off, and I enjoyed doing it.

It was both of our first year as captains and we both wanted to prove ourselves. And while I started a winning streak, he didn't.

"Talking from experience, Maximus?" Ander barked.

My name was Maximilian, but everyone called me Max.

Well, everyone, but Sanchez.

"Move on, dickhead," his teammate called out, clearly addressing me, and I moved down the line with Dex on my heel.

"We should crash their sour losing party," he offered with a wicked grin. "It will be fun."

I high-fived the last person before I moved toward the sidelines to disappear down the long corridor into our changing room.

"My definition of fun must be different than yours."

"Come on." He wrapped his arm around my neck. I hated that he was taller than me and could treat me like I was his little brother instead of his captain. "I'll tell you one thing: fresh pussy."

"I'll tell you something else… pussy that's not interested in Titans."

"Everyone loves to fraternalize with the enemy." Dex snorted as he leaned in, the smell of his sweat making my eyes itch. "Makes a good gossip."

"Sure," I muttered, still unconvinced. "Let me shower first and then we will talk."

"Just think about it." He released me as he shouldered his way through our changing room door. He had all the girls wrapped around his little finger with his blonde hair and blue eyes. But the dude always wanted more.

"Think about what?" my best friend and fellow midfielder, Maddox, stood next to me, holding the door open for me. He, too, was taller, and it worked in our favor because he was a defensive player also. But while Dex was light, Maddox was his opposite. Composed, dark, and private. He was my best friend since freshman year. They both were, despite their personalities.

I shook my head. "Crushing a Lions' party."

"I'm game." He shrugged as if I offered him a burger. "Would be fun to see their smug faces when they realize we can not only take the championship but their girls too."

Running my fingers through my hair, I sighed. "It's either I agree and we all go, or you all go without me agreeing and I have to get the pep talk from Coach."

"It will be good for team spirit," Dex shouted, waving his jersey over his head.

A laugh bubbled out of me as my teammates cheered.

"Fine, we are crashing their party." It was my first year as captain, and I wanted to make a good impression. And I could do that by not denying my team the well-deserved fun after the first game of the season.

Maddox glanced at me, a reserved smile on his face. "It's okay to have fun sometimes, Aarons."

"I'm fun," I said through clenched teeth, dropping my ass onto the bench and pulling my shoes off. "But this season is important."

"Every season is important," Maddox mimicked me. "Take a breather, dude. You work way too hard; this whole captain thing is going to your head."

"We never lost a championship," I reminded him. "I won't go down in history as the captain who lost our winning streak."

"We just won a fucking game, dude." Dex poked his head out from the shower stall. "Take a chill-pill, get laid. Tomorrow, we return to running laps and chasing ball. Tonight… let's chase something else."

Another round of cheers sounded, making me annoyed yet oddly relaxed.

There was nothing I could do to stop my team from their merited rest. The best I could do was try to enjoy myself and not ruin their fun.

Two hours and two double cheeseburgers later, I walked into Welly's, the bar most frequented by Westpoint University students. I was overwhelmed by their ugly burgundy-colored merchandise. Every girl wore a Westpoint or Lions shirt, crop top or sweater.

"I need to bleach my eyes out," Dex muttered with a grimace. "Or take it off the girls."

Maddox chuckled. Our teammates scattered, and Dex made his way to the bar.

"I need a drink," I announced over the blasting music. "Screw being DD, we will take an Uber."

"Lead the way, captain." He motioned toward the wooden bar, where a bunch of college students shouted their orders. Wooden tables and chairs littered the bar, and I spotted the losing soccer team playing darts.

Sanchez looked like he bit into a lemon, warming his beer with both hands, as a pretty blonde chatted him up. He literally looked over her head, watched his goalie miss the board. The girl next to him giggled and reached on her tiptoes. Her shirt rode up, exposing her flat stomach and smooth skin as she wrapped her hands around Ander's neck. She was short yet attractive.

Jerk barely spared attention to his girlfriend.

If she was mine, she would have been showered in attention.

Even though she wasn't really my type, I still felt bad for her.

Ander tugged on her blonde ponytail, tilting her head back, and with a half-assed effort, kissed her neck.

"Stop staring at my sister," an annoyed yet soft voice warned me as I stopped in my tracks and stared at the scene unfolding in front of my eyes.

Blinking, I turned my attention to the source of the pissed off voice and came face-to-face with green thundering eyes, that were attached to a very attractive face. She was taller than her sister and had legs for days that were bare from the tiny shorts that barely peeked out from under her oversized Westpoint sweater. One would think girls were all about showing off, but this girl gave me the zero fucks giving vibes.

"I wasn't checking out your sister," I replied calmly. It always worked on the girls in Hillview. My gaze travelled down her body, wondering what was hidden under that ugly burgundy hoodie.

"No, but you are checking me out now."

Busted.

This firecracker was one to look out for. But instead of retreating, I grinned. I loved a good challenge.

"Can't decide if I like your outfit or not." I shrugged, lifting a shoulder. "Maybe if you took your hoodie off…"

She rolled her eyes. Her blonde hair was long, disappearing behind her back and with every move of her head blonde curls bounced around her heart-shaped face.

"You are Maximilian Aarons," she said my name in a way that I knew she wasn't a fan.

"Do you want an autograph or a selfie?" I wiggled my brows, and her scowl deepened.

"Actually… no. But thanks for the offer."

A chuckle escaped me, but I quickly recovered as I ran my fingers through my hair. Her green eyes followed my movement, and it seemed like her face softened up. Just a tiny bit.

"What's your name? It's only fair you tell me now that you know mine."

"Ivy," she clipped.

It fit her.

"Hey, Cap!" Dex appeared with two beers. "Here's your much needed drink and… Oh my goodness, are you talking to a girl?"

I rolled my eyes at how my friend portrayed me. Pathetic.

Ivy's curiosity piqued as she tilted her head and studied Dex. She was trying to make sense of the rumors she heard of me across the city and of the scene unfolding in front of her eyes.

Way to go, Dex.

"I will make myself invisible," my friend offered, pushing the beer in my hand and leaving us. "Enjoy, Cap!"

"Now, you have my attention." Ivy grinned at me. "I thought you are the infamous playboy of Hillview."

"Technically, that title always belonged to Dex." I smirked. "My best friend. Right now, I'm committed to soccer so I don't have time for flings or any of those things. You know… I'm the captain."

"I figured that out." Her face lit up. "Are you celibate?"

"No," I replied way too eagerly. "I'm not opposed to sex. I just can't do the whole ‘you said you will call but you didn't' bullshit the next morning."

"Ah, you want the easy way out," she concluded. "The happy ending without the strings."

I shrugged. "Does that make me sounds like a bad guy?"

"Not as bad as most guys in Westpoint. At least you are honest and upfront about it."

"Now that we established that, you game?" I wiggled my brows suggestively.

She gave me her best poker face, a clearly unimpressed expression that would have made anyone else drop their charming act and smile. But not me.

"You can start by buying me a drink," Ivy suggested, crossing her arms. Her hoodie smoothed over the curve of her boobs, making my throat run dry. "Even the non-decent guys buy drinks first."

I flashed her my sweetest smile. "Where are my manners? Ivy, can I invite you for a drink?"

A chuckle escaped her, as she tried to keep a straight face. "Yes, Max, I would like a Long Island Iced Tea."

"Coming right up." I winked and pushed my way toward the bartender.

Ivy's sweet and fruity scent followed me. I softly gripped her wrist and pulled her in front of me, keeping my hands on her shoulders, guiding her as we made our way through the stuffy bar.

My original plan for the night that involved sticking it to Westpoint for winning faded and my sole focus shifted to Ivy. I was curious about her, I wanted to know why she was letting her sister date a jerk, when she clearly cared about her, and also everything she knew about said jerk.

Did that make me an asshole? Probably.

Did Ivy look like she wanted to hook up with me? Not a chance.

So, it was safe to conclude, we were just keeping each other company.

"Hey." I leaned on the bar, my hand still on Ivy's shoulders. "A Long Island Iced Tea, please."

The bartender, who must have been a college student, based on his messy hair and wrinkled white T-shirt, nodded and proceeded to mix her cocktail.

Tapping my watch, I paid and then motioned toward the exit. "Shall we get some fresh air?"

Ivy nodded, reaching for her drink, but I pulled it higher, out of her grasp.

"I got it, lead the way."

She guided us through the sea of people, and I groaned, "Finally," as I dropped on the curb of the road, next to the bar.

Chuckling, she sat beside me, crossing her legs at her ankles.

"Are you okay with sitting on the sidewalk?"

She gave me the side-eye as she lifted her drink to her lips. Before, I didn't even notice the shimmering pink lipstick on her plump lips. "I wouldn't have led the way, if that was the case."

"Got it, babe."

Ivy's eyes fluttered closed as she sipped, her lips wrapping around the paper straw making me wonder how those lips would feel wrapped around my cock.

Maybe I should have gotten laid. My throbbing cock agreed with me.

"Good game today," she mentioned casually.

I smiled, and this time, I didn't even have to force it. It came naturally, like any time someone told me I played well. But contrary to all the Hillview girls screaming it at me as we exited the stadium, Ivy stated it. As if she didn't expect anything less.

"I know." I grinned, wanting to hear her sweet chuckle one more time.

"Can't even pay you a compliment without you getting all cocky about it."

"Oh, you can. I'm just surprised you watched me play. I assumed your eyes were glued to your captain."

The sharp inhale of her breath told me I hit a nail. Her cheeks flushed and her playful smile dropped.

"You know," she muttered, turning around and letting her golden curls cover her face.

"I was trying to piece it together. You look alike… you and your sister."

Her shoulders slumped. Having your boyfriend dump you for your sister was not a position anyone would want to be in. Especially not when said boyfriend was a colossal asshole. Even I heard the rumors about their messy break-up during their family vacation.

"Hey… you don't have to be embarrassed about it," I said, reaching out to touch her shoulder. I curled my fingers into the soft cotton of her hoodie until she stiffened under my touch.

I wasn't the best with dealing with outbreaks and the last thing I wanted was to see Ivy cry.

She turned to face me, no longer teary-eyed. "I want payback."

I wanted to shake myself for not seeing it before. Perhaps, I was too busy ogling her to realize the truth of our encounter.

She. Sought. Me. Out.

And she had an agenda.

"I would say… date his best friend?" I offered, but we both know Ander didn't care about that. He would have cracked a joke about how they are sharing her, and even the thought of that pissed me off.

Ivy shook her head. "You and I both know he only really hates one person."

Hate was a strong word, but Ander couldn't separate the game from real life. I was his enemy on the field, but he was always hostile toward me outside of it as well. Ever since our freshman year when we first played against each other.

I thought he saw me as a threat, but maybe there was something more to it.

"You want me to date you?" I pried, putting her out of her misery. "I never even had a girlfriend."

"You had, freshman year… that brunette girl."

Okay, yes. Thalia was, but that was a long time ago. I was a junior now, and ever since that shit show of a relationship, I never jumped back into the dating pool. I preferred playing in the hookup now.

"It wouldn't come as surprise," Ivy went on. "Plus, you don't want to get caught up in emotions. This would be the perfect alibi for you too. It would give you a free pass."

I stared at her. "Are you proposing I date you?"

" Fake-date ," Ivy corrected, making me blink.

What the hell was even fake-dating?

"Babe, I think you read way too many romance books. People don't do that in real life."

"Yeah, they do. Even soccer players when they mess up and they need to clear their image, or whenever you want to get back at someone… or really any time."

My ego hurt. I needed to end it and get the hell away from Ivy.

She was Ander's ex. What was to say he didn't set her up for this to distract me from this season. It was such a laughable idea to fake-date someone, that it could easily come from Ander. He wasn't the brightest.

"Thanks for the offer, but no thank you." I flashed her a smile. "I'm good with my own alibi, and I don't have an image that needs improving or any other reasons you pointed out."

Ivy's shoulders slumped and she grabbed my arm, stopping me from standing. "Can you at least think about it?"

"I thought about it, and my answer is no. I'm really sorry your sister and your ex did this to you. But I have no interest in playing this game with you. I have a career to focus on."

She nodded. "I understand… I guess, I thought you hated him as much as he hates you."

I shrugged. "I don't like him because I think he is a shitty human being. But I don't hate him. I wouldn't waste my energy on him like that. And you shouldn't either. There are hundreds of nice guys at Westpoint, I'm sure you will be able to find yourself one who will happily fake-date you."

"It's not that easy." She scoffed. "I'm his ex. No one wants to date the girl he dumped for her sister. I'm damaged goods."

I almost laughed how dramatic she sounded over such a small thing, but I restrained myself.

"As I said, there are hundreds of students who don't care about Ander. You just need to stop looking in his group and step outside of the soccer-obsessed bubble."

"Have you met our school?" She raised her voice, frustration rolling off her in waves. "Everyone is soccer obsessed."

She could find anyone, but she wanted me. Because that would guarantee his attention.

"A word of advice?" I stretched out my sore legs. "You're better off without him. I doubt he was a Prince Charming boyfriend, and soon, your sister will realize that too. Maybe make your sister realize she is wasting her time with him."

"She is a freshman," Ivy muttered. "She is not going to listen to me when she has the most popular guy of Westpoint showering her with attention."

Clearly, my idea of showering someone with attention was different than what I witnessed inside, but if girls these days wanted to be ignored, I understood why I was still single.

"Good luck with your quest, then."

"I was so convinced you would go for it." Ivy shook her head, disappointed.

"Another word of advice?" I offered. "If you are going after someone to get them to do something for you, next time, do your research and don't base your decision on rumors. Play the man, not the game."

"Thanks."

"Good luck," I nodded to her spilling my beer into the close by bush and without looking back I made my way to the car park. I didn't have to throw a glance over my shoulder to see Ivy's disappointed gaze following me, I felt the back of my neck burning from it.

I resisted the urge to turn around and give her the smallest ounce of hope of reconsidering her offer.

Because if freshman year taught me anything, it was that girls went to crazy lengths to get their way and Ivy almost got under my skin tonight.

Almost.