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“Yeah, but I’m special.” He flashes a grin that makes his dimples pop. “And then Maya made it impossible for me to even think about women and partying.”
“Still does.” I point out the obvious, and he gives me a reluctant smile. “What if it doesn’t work out for you two? Do you think you’ll ever date again?”
“I don’t know. Hard to say with everything going on. You ever going to date again or just continue to hope for Xander?”
I give him a look and then shrug. “I’m over it. Mostly. I knew it was never going to happen, but at least as long as he wassome single playboy with an inability to commit, I could pretend it was possible, you know?”
Xander Xavier is my older brother Tobias’s best friend. I’ve had a crush on him since the first time I saw him when I was in high school. He recently got engaged to a woman I actually really like, so I’ve finally moved on to having no crushes and no dating prospects.
“Yeah. Well, I still say you’re wasting too much of your time on work. You need your own personal life, instead of always managing everyone else’s. Not that we’re not grateful for it, but I’d happily be on the other side of the advice-giving dynamic here.”
“Oh, I can only imagine the advice you’d give.” I smirk at him.
“Hey now, I’ve got some good advice on occasion.”
“That’s not about football?” He starts to respond, but I continue on, “Or golf. Or real estate investments. Trust that I’ll always come to you for those things.”
“Even football? Tobias and Easton are gonna have words with me over that.” He laughs.
“Quarterback things at least.” I grin.
“Well, just know you have my permission to cheat. Discreetly of course.” He winks at me.
“I doubt I’ll need it. Frankly, this is going to make my life easier too. There’s always some guy who won’t take no for an answer. Sees me as some sort of in with my father and this family, and it makes me feel sick every time. With it being East’s team, it would be even worse to deal with. So you’ll make a nice fake-boyfriend shield against all of that.”
“Glad to know I’m needed.”
The car pulls up to my place, and I glance up at it. I grab his hand one last time and squeeze.
“Good luck with everything. Anytime you need me—text orcall. My dad gives you shit. You need advice on winning Maya back. I’m here, okay?”
“Same to you. And I’m serious. Maybe stay away from the football players but find yourself some recreational fun. Not all work and no play. You see where that got me.”
“I’ll do my best.” I smile at my old friend, and we exchange a hug before the driver opens the door.
I hurry up to the small studio I’ve been renting. The few things I own are scattered everywhere. Half in boxes and half out. Three half-packed suitcases line one wall, and toiletries and electronics are scattered over the dining room table. As usual, I’m packing my life back into a few small boxes and my airline luggage allowance to move yet again. But at least this time I’ll have Easton and my sister-in-law close at hand, and hopefully, my best friend Bea as soon as she gets back from her research trip. I might not have some great love of my life like A.J. does, but I’ll have family and friends while I work on getting through this contract in Cincinnati and figuring out what’s next.
2
Quentin
I’m still unpackingthe last of my stuff in the loft I’ve purchased downtown not far from the stadium. It’s the top level of a converted factory, and it feels about as welcoming as this city has been so far. I probably should hire someone to decorate and warm the place up, but I’m hoping to find a house. If I’m here for the next three years, I might as well make them count.
My phone rings, and I see my uncle’s name flash across the screen. He’s the reason I’m playing for the Queen City Chaos. The previous coach had been fired, he was hired, and now he’s set to work, creating the locker room he wants for his vision of this team. I was his first call. It might look like nepotism on the outside, but if you knew my uncle, you’d know it’s anything but. For him to call me meant one of two things: no one else wantedto play here, or I was the best person for the job. I’m still figuring out which it is.
“Hey.”
“Come over for dinner in an hour.” It’s never a question with him. Just orders.
“I’m still unpacking.” It’s a weak protest—one I know he won’t respect, but I make it anyway.
“Your cousins are home. You haven’t spent time with your family in years. I’ll see you in an hour.”
There’s a pause on the line, both of our wills silently doing battle. It’s useless on my part. I agreed to let him have the upper hand when I came here, but it’s the thought that counts.
“See you in an hour,” I relent.
“Bring some wine. There’s a place down the block from you that has a decent selection. I trust you can pick out a good wine.”
