Read Online Love Match by Monica Seles - Free Book Online Page A

quite an entrance walking in on the arm of a hot guy. Sure, they were only friends, but the girls shooting her jealous looks as they watched the door didn’t know that.
    The good feeling lasted for about a half second. Then she saw the other brother heading their way.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Travis asked as she pulled away fromhim. He held on tighter, unaware that his brother was coming toward them. “It’s okay. Friends can hang on to each other’s arms. It doesn’t mean anything.”
    â€œNo,” Maya said. “It’s—”
    â€œI thought you two had some official hosting duties tonight. Did Dad give you a ‘get out of fancy reception free’ card or something?” Jake may have been speaking to both of them, but his eyes never once looked to Maya. If only the same could be said for other eyes in the club.
    The death glares Maya now got from the girls scoping the entrance almost caused her to laugh out loud. If only those girls knew the truth. Maya was standing with three of the hottest guys in the club, but it was the last place she wanted to be.
    Travis clung even more tightly to Maya. “We skipped out early. Diego wanted to see the town.”
    â€œDiego?” Jake asked, noticing the third wheel for the first time. “You the new competition?”
    â€œI thought the Reed brothers played American football,” Diego said. “Not the real thing.”
    â€œOh, we play the real thing, all right,” Jake said. “Not some lame version of kickball.”
    â€œAnd why do you need those helmets? To protect your hairdos?” Diego asked, coming chest to chest with Jake.
    â€œHey!” Travis jumped in. “My stylist charges two hundred fifty dollars for this look. I have to protect my investment.”
    The guys busted up laughing, breaking the tension. Funny how Jake could joke around with his brother, but still couldn’t bring himself to look at Maya.
    â€œWe’ll set you up at the salon sometime.” Jake reached for Diego’s head. “She could do wonders with those dark curly locks.”
    Diego ducked out of the way. “Thanks, man.”
    Jake held out a hand. “Nice to meet you, Diego. I look forward to beating you on the field of battle. Just name the sport.”
    â€œPoker,” Diego said as they shook. “That’s my favorite sport. So, did you come over to buy us drinks?”
    â€œNope,” Jake said. “Time to go. I have practice in the morning.”
    Maya was glad that Travis had her arm. She about fell over when Jake said that he was leaving a club early because of practice.
    Jake finally noticed Maya. “I never had the chance to congratulate you,” he said, holding out a hand to her. “Nice game this weekend.”
    Maya untangled herself from Travis so she could shake Jake’s hand. It was warm and inviting, with just the right amount of pressure. “Thank you. Have a good practice.”
    â€œThanks,” he said as he left. Just like that. He
left
. No posturing. No strained conversation with his brother. He was polite to Maya, but remote. And it didn’t seem to have anything to do with her hanging on to Travis’s arm.
    Maya couldn’t help but notice that no one was hanging on to Jake’s arm.
    Diego put his hands on Maya’s shoulders and pushed her into the crowd. “Okay, Maya,” he whisper-yelled into her ear over the thumping music of the club. “Since you already haveenough guys after you, I think it’s time you introduced me to some girls before I have to make my move, too.”
    Maya laughed at the joke. At least, she hoped it was a joke. He was right about that. She was already dealing with more guys than she could handle.
    Maya was so glad she’d blown off the reception, she didn’t even care if it meant another call to Nails Reed’s office. The playlist at 360 was great, the drinks were tasty,