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“Maybe we wouldn’t have to force our way into your life like this if you would simply answer our texts or invite us over during the week.” Lawrence has his offended eyes on.
Nathan thumps the back of his hand against my chest. “You’ve been more aloof than usual this week. What’s up?”
I shrug and close the door behind them. “Just been busy training.”
It’s not a lie. It’s just also not the whole truth. Because Ihavebeen avoiding them. Distancing myself in case the idiots on sports talk radio are right and I’ll get cut at the start of the season so Abbot can take my position. If that happens, there’s no reason for these guys to keep me in their friend circle.
“Dude, you’re training too much. You need to get out once in a while or else you’re going to start thinking your weights are talking to you.”
All four men shuffle around my foyer and living room withnarrowed eyes. Their inspections are in full swing. If Nathan were using a magnifying glass, I wouldn’t be surprised. I half expect Lawrence to pull out a little notebook and pencil and take down clues. His eyes drop and a smile tugs his mouth when he finds one: Nora’s yellow sneakers. Lawrence nudges Nathan like he’s being discreet and then nods toward the shoes.
“Yeah, I saw them too,” Nathan half whispers.
I tense. “You’ve all had your look. Now leave me in peace.”
Jamal comes to stand in front of me, right eyebrow climbing slowly toward his hairline. “The question is, Derek ole boy. Why are you so adamant we leave? Hm? What are you hiding?”
I should have shown less interest. I try to backtrack with a cocky grin. “Truth is…I’m worried my date is going to run away screaming when she gets a look at your ugly-ass face.”
Jamal sniffs the air. He sniffs again, his nostrils flaring. He looks over his shoulder and makes eye contact with a contrite Nathan. “You smell what I smell, boys?”
Nathan nods slowly. Meaningfully. “Pasta.”
“Right.” Jamal puts a finger to my chest. “And we all know, pasta gives you the bloats and gas. You would never be caught dead eating pasta on a date. Therefore, you’re lying. Admit it.”
“Objection,” I say, and Jamal and I both look to Nathan.
He crosses his arms. “Overruled.”
Dammit.
“Answer the question.” Jamal is too joyful about this. “And also tell us why you’re trying to hide the fact that a woman who wears a size nine shoe is already here somewhere? Did you put her in the closet? I swear we raised you better than that.”
“Fine.” I shoot a nervous glance to the staircase, and the guys all follow my gaze. “Would y’all just keep your voices down. I don’t have a date, but I want my agent to think I do.”
“Why the hell would you want Bill to think you have a date?” asks Price while folding his arms and leaning against the wall.
Lawrence, who was just peeking out the front window, turns to us. “That’s not Bill’s car outside. You’ve got a new agent?”
They all four gasp, and I roll my eyes again. “Yes, okay? I have a new agent. And why are you gasping, Nathan, I already told you about her?”
“I like to be involved in group emotions,” he says, like that’s a normal answer.
“You guys are making way too much out of this. It’s not a big deal.”
Jamal holds up a finger. A point-making finger. “You texted us when you bought a new duvet for your bed. That was no big deal, and you still felt the need to mention it over dinner. The fact that you’re hiding this confirms it’s a very big deal. So, we’re not leaving until you explain why.”
“You’re not gonna leave even if I tell you.”
“Well, sure, but tell us anyway.”
They all four cross their arms and narrow their eyes. Before I get a chance to say anything else, a female voice filters down the stairs. “Hey, Dere-Bear, don’t be mad but I tidied up your bathroom drawers a little while…Oh! Sorry! Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Well shit.Nora is standing in the middle of the stairs wearing one of my T-shirts that absolutely swallows her whole and has paired it with my athletic shorts—drawstring pulled tight just to keep them from sagging off her hips. She looks so damn cute.
A slow smile spreads over each of the guys’ faces as they register a gorgeous woman dressed in my clothes who they now know is my agent. Yeah, this isn’t going to go over well for me. I can already see Nathan creating a mental wedding registry in his head.
Jamal speaks first, sidling closer to the stairs. “Not interrupting inthe least! Our friend Derek here was just telling us you’re his new agent. So lovely to meet you.”
