A Matter of Heart Read Free Page A

this rivalry started between him and Connor. Over the past two months, it’s gotten worse, and now there’s something hot and angry in those eyes. I’ve caught him staring at me like he’s trying to figure something out. I have no idea what. We barely talk. I see him every morning at practice and every Sunday when we both teach, but that’s it. Now that I’ve seen how he handles losing, I want to keep it that way. I have no respect for whiners. You deal with defeat by working harder, not by glaring at the competition.
    Jen’s nudge brings me out of my thoughts. “Oh my gawd, look at this.”
    Alec is walking toward Connor. It’s not just a stroll, either. It’s an I’m-coming-to-rip-out-your-throat sort of walk. Tanner and Logan back up a little because everyone on the team feels the tension.
    My heart thumps against my ribs as Jen stiffens next to me. “No disrespect to your guy, but if there’s a fight, my money is on Alec.”
    “They’re not going to fight.”
    “Hope not,” she says. “You think Alec keeps a switchblade in his Speedo?”
    I swallow. I’m not going there. Not to switchblades or to Alec’s Speedo.
    He’s only a foot from Connor now. They’re about the same height, but Alec seems taller because he’s leaner. Connor is builta little thicker, and right now his shoulders are back and his hands fisted. Even though he looks ready for a fight, Jen is right. Alec looks ready to
win
the fight. Any fight.
    I start forward. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but before I move a step, Jen grabs my arm and holds me back. “Abby, no.”
    Alec leans in toward Connor. Close. I barely see his lips move, but I know he’s saying something. A muscle pulses under Connor’s jaw.
    Then it’s over. Alec moves past and I let out a breath I don’t realize I’m holding.
    Then nearly choke on it.
    Alec is headed for me.
    A second later, he’s standing in front of me, so close I can feel the heat coming off his skin. Pool water drips from his hair, and I half expect it to evaporate into steam as it hits his chest. My breath is trapped halfway down my throat. I step back and Jen wraps her arm through mine, moving closer. I love her for that.
    “Nice win,” he says, sarcasm heavy in his low voice. Alec’s eyes are like laser beams and I’m caught off guard for a second by their intensity. “If you can call it that.”
    What does that mean?
    He pushes past and his shoulder brushes mine, just enough for me to feel his anger like a living thing.
    “Jeez,” Jen whispers. “That guy has serious issues.”
    “Ignore him,” I say. “Who cares?” I turn to look for Connor. This has been an amazing day, and no one is going to ruin it. Not even Alec Mendoza.
    It takes me a minute to realize I’m still rubbing my shoulder where his skin touched mine.

4

    “M y heart is racing.”
    Connor whispers the words in my ear, then kisses my neck.
    My heart is racing too, but in a slightly different way, because while he’s kissing my neck, his hand is sliding down my arm, around the curve of my bra, and now it’s circling my stomach. My lower stomach.
    I cover his trailing hand with mine. “Connor,” I say hesitantly. I shift and the leather seat squeaks beneath me. Connor drives an old black sedan. It’s full of dents and smells like stale Doritos and chlorine, but it’s a BMW, so that’s pretty cool. The window above me is cracked open and the cold air feels nice, though it smells a little ripe since we’re parked near the canal.
    He sighs and pulls back. I scoot up a little higher in the seat and straighten my bra and my shirt. I’m a little nervous to meethis eyes. I love this backseat, and I don’t want to lose it. Or Connor. But I don’t want to lose anything else, either.
    I look up. He’s got a hand in his hair, his elbow resting on one knee.
    “Sorry,” I say.
    He lifts his face and all I see are shadows and lines: strong nose, wide-set eyes, full lips. I don’t need a light to see his