Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

IVY

"How was your drive from Arizona?" I asked, taking a big sip of my coffee and washed off the lingering taste of Max's cum. It was safe to say that our passionate night resumed with an equally entertaining morning, where he made me scream his name in the shower. Definitely less mortifying when the house is full of guys.

"It passed by very quick," Max's mom, Rachel, replied with a sweet smile. She was a beautiful woman and I could tell Max got more of his features from her. Especially the dark hair and eyes. And his height. His father was much taller, fit, and still handsome with his silver hair. I certainly wouldn't have any complaint if Max aged like his father.

"We make the drive every year for semi-finals and finals. We love watching him play."

Max looked at his mom with eyes full of love, while his dad grunted.

I don't think his father liked me very much, he had a judgmental look on his face every time our eyes met. Or maybe he was just protective over his son who was destined for greatness and he didn't want me to bring him down.

"Aw, that's so sweet," I smiled. "You must be very proud of him."

"We are." She nodded, her eyes glistening with emotion.

Max squeezed my knee under the table, and he flashed me an appreciative smile.

"Are you ready to impress the National Team scouts?" his father asked, all business.

"Of course," Max nodded. Despite his stress, he played it very cool, but I learned to read him these past months. The way his knee bounced under the table, or the impatient tap of his fingers gave him away. To the outside world, he was cool and collected. But deep down, he was trembling with the fear that he might not be good enough.

I pushed down the desire to reach over and wrap him in my arms like I could protect him from all the negativity he was feeling.

"Coach McCarthy thinks I have a good shot," Max went on with the speech I heard him give his teammates too when they asked about the National Team. "The process takes longer as they are scouting for the World Cup. It's not just the America Cup. It's a whole different level and they need to make the right decision."

"And you think you are the right fit."

Max nodded. His fingers wrapped around my hand, and he squeezed it tight, releasing some of his stress.

I kept my smile on, allowing him to lean on me as I assessed their family dynamics.

"Of course, you are." His mom nodded, while his dad grunted.

"So, what is your plan?" his father continued with his line of questioning.

I resisted the urge to sigh, because he seemed like an asshole.

Max arched a brow. "What do you mean?"

"You guys are dating, so it must be serious if you decided to spend two holidays together. I wanted to know what was the plan when you move on to the World Cup."

"Nothing." Max shrugged. "It's just for the summer. I'll be back for senior year. It's not a big deal, Dad, I've done it hundred times."

"But your focus..."

"No," Max cut him off, and the collected, kind person he always was disappeared. "My focus is on my career; having a girlfriend doesn't change that."

"I support him in everything he does," I chimed in. Max squeezed my hand in response.

"Of course, you do."

"What's his problem?" I whispered to Max as his dad asked for more coffee.

He rolled his eyes. "We don't get along well. He thinks I made a mistake in breaking up with Thalia. He thinks that she would have helped me secure a spot in the soccer world. He doesn't get it..."

I nodded.

His dad didn't get that Max wanted to do this on his own. He wanted the accomplishment to be a testament to his talent. He wanted to be appreciated for who he was, not for who he was dating or sleeping with.

Yet, here I was, making him be defined by dating me. Fake dating me. Or real dating? We didn't exactly put a label on things yet; there hadn't been a good moment to discuss where last night and this morning had left us. But I hoped we could move from fake to real.

I wasn't even sure what I was hoping for. But I knew I wanted to keep seeing Max, be in his presence, and kiss him and hug him any time. For real this time.

I could just hope he felt the same and it wasn't just bodily release for him.

Gently cupping his face, I turned his head away from the food and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"What was that for?" he asked, his sweet half smile returning.

My heart did a little happy dance in my chest, and I shrugged. "I just wanted to do it. And I wanted to see you smile."

"All you have to do is ask, Blossom," he said, kissing my forehead.

I almost melted into his arms because I loved his small gestures.

"Ready to show up your ex?" he muttered in my ear, smothering a laughter. "You'll be wearing my jersey tonight."

Last night, he gave me his jersey. The second one he wasn't planning to wear. It smelled like laundry detergent, but he put his perfume all over it for me, and it was like having him wrapped around me. I couldn't wait to wear it.

"Tonight, for the finals and during the World Cup. Always," I whispered back before our lips connected in a brief kiss.

It didn't hit me what I said, until Max pulled away with a wide grin and focused his attention back on his avocado toast.

Did I just confess I wanted to be with him forever?

I grew obsessed with wearing jeans and Max's jersey. It was simple, yet I felt sexier in it than in any short dress. His lingering smell wrapped around me, and it felt like I was in his embrace. Kaia messaged me asking if we are going to watch the game together, but the moment I saw her wearing Tristan's red jersey and sitting with Daisy, I decided to take Rosalie up on her DM and watch it with the other girls.

"Finally," Nova shouted, waving me toward her. She was sitting in the first row, the best seat right behind the Titans' benches, together with Brooklyn and Paige.

Rosie and I exchanged a look and slowly descended the stairs. All Titan's fans stared at us like we were walking a runway on the fashion show and not going to watch a soccer semi-final.

"Everyone knows Nova is the coach's daughter," Rosalie explained as she tucked her brother's jersey tighter into her jeans.

"Whose jersey is she wearing?" I asked, but I didn't see the back as she was facing us.

"No clue. I haven't watched a game with her yet."

"You almost missed the beginning," Nova informed me as I gave all the girls a quick hug. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Max's parents on the block next to us with other parents. "I was a bit concerned you might show up in the wrong jersey."

I shook my head, and taking a Coke from Brooklyn, I sat next to Nova. "I was tempted, but didn't feel like pissing Max off. He needs to focus and not worry what I'm wearing."

The girls chuckled.

"How does it feel? Sitting with the enemy?" Paige asked, pointing to the opposite end of the pitch where the Lions warmed up and a sea of burgundy jerseys flooded the stands.

I sighed, but I didn't feel the pang of sadness I was expecting. Instead, I felt content.

"Weird... it feels like I'm right where I belong," I replied, taking a sip from my drink. "Can't explain it."

My eyes found Max as he was warming up with Maddox and Derek with their black and blue warm-up set. He looked handsome with his windswept hair and focused expression. Despite that, his eyes shone with love for the game. That was real passion.

"You belong with us." Brooke lifted her cup. "I'm glad you joined us. Our little club is growing."

I chuckled.

Nova caught my eye and turned her back.

"Out of all the guys, I was not expecting to see Maddox's name on your back." I almost choked on my Coke.

"He demanded I wear it. I don't usually respond to demands but he seemed upset and I didn't want to aggregate him further." She shrugged. "But I usually wear Dex's or Max's; it doesn't matter. It only matters to them. They keep a tally, and I'm trying to make it equal."

"Was there ever anything between Max and you?" I asked, unable to control my curiosity.

Nova laughed and shook her head. "I'm the coach's daughter. Off-limits to all the guys on the team. Plus, I would never date a soccer player. They are pretty self-centered and I love being the center of attention so our personalities would crash."

"Max isn't like that."

"Max is a people pleaser." Brooklyn snorted. "He is the nicest guy of them all, a true gem. But that guy is going to explode one day from all the shit he swallows with a smile. I have no clue how he does it."

I contemplated her words and maybe to the outside world, Max seemed like a people pleaser, but I got to see his other layers and a glimpse of what he was hiding behind all that sweetheart personality.

"Maybe you just don't know him."

She nodded. "That's true, you know him better than I do," she said, exchanging a look with Nova. "I was expecting you to jump at my throat for calling Maximilian a people pleaser."

Nova chuckled. "He has his girlfriend to protect him now; no need for me to get upset. But don't call him that."

I found myself grinning, until she turned to look at me.

"Ivy, if you hurt him, I will hunt you down and make you regret it."

"You let Thalia walk." I gave her a knowing look. "Definitely not taking your threat seriously."

The girls laughed but something like sadness flashed on Nova's face.

"Trust me, if I could, I would make Thalia pay for what she did. But... can't put my dad in a tight spot. Or Max. So had to find an alternative way to deal with my anger."

"Which is arguing with Maddox?" I asked.

Brooklyn and Paige howled, and I grinned wider.

"Oh my god, is there anything going on?" I moved closer to her, prompting her to share her secret.

Nova shoved me. "You have the memory of a goldfish. I just told you I'm off-limits.

I hummed while Brooke and Paige gave me a meaningful look. There was something brewing, and I was curious to find out what.

It didn't even cross my mind in that moment that I might not be around to witness it if we end our arrangement as per the original deadline.

The only thing I kept thinking about was how good it felt to have girlfriends who laughed with each other, shared gossips, and seemed genuinely nice.

"Earth to Ivy." Rose poked me, making me squeal. "Lover boy is waving at you."

"What?" I blinked, remembering where I was. Glancing down at the pitch, I saw Max, Liam, Maddox and Derek all waving at us as they were getting out of their warm-up clothes.

I waved back with a sweet smile and my heart melted a bit. Ander never acknowledged me during a game, but then again, I've learned over these past few months that what we had wasn't even classified as love.

"Good luck!" I mouthed, and he nodded, running his fingers through his hair.

Then, he turned and jogged to the pitch. I watched him slip on his game face as he, Maddox, Oliver and Andrew positioned in their lines.

He tried explaining me their strategy, the lineup of three lines with different number of people, but I was way too distracted by his naked chest to remember anything. He didn't expect me to understand, he just needed to vent and I was happy to listen to him talk about soccer any time. His enthusiasm and passion rubbed off on me and he almost got me invested in soccer.

Almost.

"Where is this asshole scout sitting?" I asked Nova, glancing around the stadium.

"Behind us," she whispered. "Six rows up. He is wearing an ugly green baseball hat. Trying to disguise himself. I think that's why Max and the guys wanted to make sure he saw you wearing Max's jersey and waving at him."

Oh . Embarrassment heated my cheeks and I couldn't' believe I almost convinced myself we were no longer playing this game, when in reality, this was the grand finale.