The Striker Ana Huang Quotes

To loving every version of yourself, even the ones you want to leave behind.

I’ve been here since day one, darling. I was simply waiting for you to join me.

He wasn’t my brother’s nemesis or my trainee—he was the person who’d carried me up three flights of stairs, stayed with me until I regained consciousness, and didn’t make me feel like an object of pity when I told him about my accident. And that’s exactly why he’s dangerous.

Does she know what an idiot she’s dating?” “Yes, sir, and she loves me anyway.

Asher laughed. “Scarlett, this is Jules, an old friend of mine.” “And this is Josh, my boyfriend,” Jules added, gesturing at the man beside her.

now I found out the girl I couldn’t stop thinking about was related to my biggest rival. The universe had a sick sense of humor.

The past was the past, and the future was unpredictable. But the present? It belonged to us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

God definitely had favorites, and Asher was one of them.

If it makes you feel better,' I said. 'I prefer Asher to Asher Donovan.

Even if there were seven hundred thousand instead of seventy thousand people here, I would’ve found her just as easily because a part of me would always be connected to a part of her.

If the way he said darling was illegal, the velvety intimacy with which he uttered my name was downright sinful.

If her smile was a burglar, her laugh was a fucking thief because I was pretty sure she just stole a piece of my heart from right out under me.

If Scarlett had plagued my thoughts before, the kiss had built her a permanent home there and invited her in for tea.

No matter where we were or how many people surrounded us, she commanded my attention like a lighthouse in a storm.

We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to. Sometimes, actions were enough.

For someone whose mere presence put me on edge, he had a way of also easing my anxiety—namely by distracting me so much I didn’t have time to think about anything else.

Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won’t stop you.

But at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what you’d regret more—trying and failing, or not trying at all?

After all, there was nothing wrong with staying in. A book and tea were far superior to battling drunken strangers for breathing room in a sweaty nightclub.

I was so used to the luxuries in my life that I sometimes took them for granted, but experiencing them through her eyes did something to my soul.

Amusement slid across his infuriatingly perfect face. “What’s this?” “The flirting. It’s unprofessional.” “I’m afraid flirting is part of my nature, darling.

I could handle it if they were just coming after me. I know what I signed up for," Asher said. "But you're getting caught up in this mess, and that's not fucking okay.

Tomorrow would always be there. Tonight, it was just us, and I was going to enjoy every second of it while it lasted.

The noise around us dulled into an indistinguishable roar. No matter where we were or how many people surrounded us, she commanded my attention like a lighthouse in a storm. Bright. Beautiful. Unwavering.

The point is, your injuries don't define who you are. Maybe you're not the same dancer anymore, but who says you have to be? Growth isn't always linear, and I've seen you in the studio. I think you're still pretty damn incredible.

He’s hot.” My head snapped toward her. “Who? Markovic?” “Yeah. In a scary, I-might-kill-you-after-I-fuck-you sort of way. But it works. What?” she said defensively when I arched my eyebrows. “I have a thing for bad boys.” “Sometimes, you worry me.” “I always do.

She was objectively, unequivocally stunning. Glossy black hair, creamy skin, light gray eyes fringed with thick lashes—she looked like a classic Hollywood star in the mold of Ava Gardner and Hedy Lamarr.

Most of all, I don’t want to ruin my chances of spending as many days with you as possible because I love you. More than football, more than racing, more than anything else in this universe—Pluto included.

I looked at her, this beautiful, incredible woman whom I never would’ve expected would turn my world upside down, and marveled that she was mine. The universe knew what it was doing after all.

Ugh. It should be illegal for any word to sound as delicious as darling did in Asher’s deep, silky voice.

(dance moms were a terrifying breed),

I love you,” he repeated, his words thick with emotion. “I’m so fucking in love with you, darling, and the only reckless thing I want to do is explore how deep this rabbit hole goes with you. Together.

We couldn’t change the past. We could only shape the future, and I wanted a future with him. Together.

I firmly believed paparazzi deserved a special place in hell next to the telemarketers and corrupt politicians.

And I think you’re doing her a great bloody disservice to insinuate I’m only interested in her because she’s your sister and not because she’s incredible on her own.

I think you’re capable of more than you give yourself credit for,” I said. “But at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what you’d regret more—trying and failing, or not trying at all?

Paparazzi often played fast and loose with the rules, but Sloane had a history of bending them to her will.

Give me a break. It’s been years since I ran like that.” “Shit. I forgot how high-impact running is. It’s not good for chronic pain, is it?” “You looked up chronic pain?” “Out of curiosity, that’s all,” he said. “I didn’t know much about it, so I figured I should learn the basics. Obviously.” “Obviously.

I guess it was easier to make friends when I actually left the house. Imagine that.

Moments like this meant I’d made it and proved my critics wrong—which I had, many times over. After all, I was Asher Fucking Donovan.

Scarlett wasn’t my best friend, girlfriend, or family, but I didn’t need a label to know that I did care about her.

Her physical limitations weren’t her biggest obstacles; her fears were.

So maybe I was stepping over the line with what I had to say next, but I wouldn’t be a friend if I didn’t point it out—and I did consider her a friend, even if that sentiment wasn’t reciprocated.

You’re early.” “I’m just that type of student.” “You mean a teacher’s pet?” “Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won’t stop you.

Despite my misgivings about the girl and losing focus, a twinge of jealousy snaked through my gut at their easy banter. "Do you know each other?" I asked as casually as possible. She didn't seem like the type who'd go for Vincent, but stranger things have happened. In hell. She opened her mouth, but Vincent beat her to it. "Of course." He looked at me like I was stupid. "She's my sister.

I’m just that type of student.” “You mean a teacher’s pet?” “Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won’t stop you.

I didn’t know much about Scarlett DuBois, but given she was related to Vincent, I knew one thing: I wasn’t going to like her. At all.

Devastation was a private thing, to be confined within the walls of my mind and soul.

I thought you liked structure.” “I do but only on my terms. I’m a hypocrite that way.

Self-aware hypocrites are the best kind.

That wasn’t true anymore, but a girl could dream. Sometimes, dreams were all we had.

Scarlett is off limits. Vincent’s warning echoed in my head. I was inclined to heed it—not because I was afraid of him, but because I was afraid of what getting close to Scarlett might do to me if I didn’t.

There was no steady ground with Asher Donovan. It was a constant sea of change--frustrating, terrifying, and, as much as I hated to admit it, exhilerating.

Look at Eldorra’s royal couple. They overcame a centuries-old law to be together.

We all have ugly feelings sometimes. It's a part of human nature. But it's what's do with them that counts.

I do but only on my terms. I’m a hypocrite that way.

He wasn’t my brother’s nemesis or my trainee—he was the person who’d carried me up three flights of stairs, stayed with me until I regained consciousness, and didn’t make me feel like an object of pity when I told him about my accident. And that’s exactly why he’s dangerous.

I got the Lambo!” Adil jangled his keys with a triumphant grin. “Thanks for breaking up with him, Scarlett. You should do it more often.

said.

He was my childhood best friend. We grew up next to each other. He loved football as much as I did, and he was better at it than I was.” “Stop.” I found it impossible to believe that any living player could be better than Asher. Sorry, Vincent. Yet another, albeit silent, betrayal of my brother. But I’d worry about that later. “It’s true,” Asher said. “He was better compared to how I played back then, at least. But whereas I couldn’t wait to sign with a club, he refused. Said he wasn’t interested in playing professionally.” “Why?” “He was afraid. Football isn’t a steady career, and he didn’t want the pressures that came with it. He hated being in the spotlight. He was worried that if he failed, he’d do so publicly and humiliate himself. So instead of living his dream, he let me live it for him.” “He must be proud of your success.” Proud or bitter, but I chose to give him the benefit of the doubt. “We don’t exactly talk anymore.” Asher sounded distant. I sensed there was more to the story, so I remained quiet. I was right. “I signed with Holchester when I was seventeen. I was so damn excited. We went out to celebrate, but I left early because I had a meeting with Holchester’s manager the next morning. Teddy chose to stay, and I remember thinking, good for him. He needed to loosen up a bit, you know?” Asher’s laugh sounded hollow. “We went to a pub in a seedier part of town since it was the only one that didn’t ID us since we were underage. Teddy left maybe an hour after I did. He was on his way to the bus stop when he got mugged.” I sucked in a sharp breath, already dreading the conclusion to the story. “It must’ve been the liquid courage, but Teddy refused to give up his wallet. He got into a fight with the mugger, who stabbed him six times and ran away. Teddy didn’t even make it to the hospital.” I saw it coming, but that didn’t stop my lurch of shock. Stabbed six times. Jesus. “One minute, he was there. The next, he was gone. And all these years, I can’t help but think…would he be alive if I’d stayed with him? If I’d insisted he leave when I did?” Asher’s voice thickened. “He wouldn’t have been there in the first place if it weren’t for me.

The point is, your injuries don’t define who you are. Maybe you’re not the same dancer anymore, but who says you have to be? Growth isn’t always linear, and I’ve seen you in the studio. I think you’re still pretty damn incredible.

Hi, darling. The only words that always made me feel like I was coming home.

I’m afraid flirting is part of my nature, darling.

Despite my misgivings about the girl and losing focus, a twinge of jealousy snaked through my gut at their easy banter. "Do you know ech other?" I asked as casually as possible. She didn't seem like the type who'd go for Vincent, but stranger things have happened. In hell. She opened her mouth, but Vincent beat her to it. "Of course." He looked at me like I was stupid. "She's my sister.

I think you’re capable of more than you give yourself credit for,” I said. “But at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what you’d regret more—trying and failing, or not trying at all?

Once you’ve been betrayed by someone you trusted completely, it was hard to let your guard down again.

You called her darling.” “You must be enjoying the date more than you admit unless you use that endearment with everyone. Does it always work for you?” “I’ve only called one woman that and meant it.

Why did you come back?” “I came back for you.

I’ll always have your back. Always. No matter what happens, there’s nothing in this world that I won’t do for you.

If we think we're perfect and there's nothing we can improve on, we'll never grow. If there's no growth, we stagnate. And greatness doesn't come from stagnation; comes from progress.

You're early.'' She didn't move from her spot near the barre, nor did I move from the doorway. ''I'm just that type of student.'' ''You mean a teacher's pet?'' ''Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won't stop you.

Come with me.” “Come with you to where?” “To Japan.

Barring that, I’d go off the rails with something wild, like a dog surfing instructor or professional cuddler or something.” “Professional cuddler is not a thing.” “It most definitely is. Google it.” I waved my phone in the air. “Not to brag, but I’m great at cuddling. I can demonstrate.” “No, thanks. I’ll take your word for it.

But I’m not that dancer anymore, and I want people to remember me as I was. Healthy. Talented.” Her voice cracked on the next word. “Whole.” “Bullshit. You’re not broken, so don’t give me that ‘whole’ BS.

Sometimes, we needed someone else to point out what was right in front of us.

Where the hell did that come from?” “It’s the truth. I didn’t have to look too hard for it.

Because what was more shallow than refusing to step onstage in case I looked like a fool, like a has-been desperately clinging to her former glory?

Apologies to every stupid character I’ve ever lambasted for making poor decisions. It turns out I, too, am a stupid character who makes poor decisions.

Someone was going to get hurt, and it wasn’t going to be me. Not today, Satan.

Oh my God. I’d almost bashed Asher Donovan’s face in with cookware.

Free falling into hell couldn’t be worse than assaulting my host with surgical-grade stainless steel.

Getting hauled off on attempted murder charges would’ve put a serious damper on my weekend.

I hate to interrupt your ogling, but can you please get up? As much as I love having you on top of me, this tile wasn’t designed for comfort.

If I died tonight, I only had myself to blame. Here lies Scarlett DuBois, a victim of self-inflicted humiliation.

I wasn’t ogling you.” “Sure, and rain isn’t wet.

What did I say about calling me ‘darling?’” “I’d say I get a pass considering you almost rearranged my face with my own cookware.

Usually, it was enough, but right now, it wasn’t the thought of my Maximus 3000 Ultra that made my body sing with heat.

Good news: I was no longer hungry.

Maybe Asher imported his bathwater directly from a secret French mountain village and had it blessed by virgin nuns before he allowed it to pour out of the faucets. Or maybe his Epsom salts were higher quality than mine. Whatever it was, I wasn’t complaining.

Scarlett DuBois: the woman who sold her convictions for Epsom salts and a Jacuzzi bathtub. Damn right I did. And it was worth it.

How sad was it that Asher had done more for me in one month than my now-ex-boyfriend did in the year following my accident? Pretty damn sad.

A DuBois saying something nice about my character? Someone check the temperature in hell.

Note to self: Buy more full-coverage robes in case of similar future occurrences. Preferably full-length with a turtleneck and so many layers you can’t tell if it’s a human body or a concrete block under there.

Don’t bat your lashes at me. It’s not going to work.

Come on. What happened to facing your fears and overcoming them?” “I never said I would do that. I’m perfectly happy locking my fears in the closet and pretending they don’t exist.” “Ah, denial. The best way to go through life.” “Slap it on a T-shirt and call me Egypt.

Ah, denial. The best way to go through life.” “Slap it on a T-shirt and call me Egypt.

Everything was better coming from her.

Second note to self: Restock guest toiletries with unscented products. Or better yet, with Lynx. My father had worn Lynx exclusively since I was born, and it was the ultimate attraction killer.

Who wanted to kiss someone that smelled like their dad? No one.

Why is she going to the attic? It makes no sense! If I heard strange noises coming from my house, the last thing I’d do is investigate alone.” “Maybe she’s braver than you.” “You mean stupider.” “Every brave act is stupid until it succeeds.