“And you wouldn’t want a long-term relationship with the world’s grumpiest goalie?” Fuller asked with a little huff.
“Nah, my attraction to him is pretty solidly in the fling zone.” Though watching him play with kids last week did something for me. So, more to myself than to the boys, I said, “But maybe if I got to know him better …”
“Do you want a refill?” a deep voice asked and my head snapped up to see Kean carrying a tray of food, including two baskets of mozzarella sticks, my favorite. But what was more important, or should be more important if my stomach could stop screaming for a second, was if Kean overheard anything.
“I’ll take one if you’re offering,” Fuller said, holding up his glass to Kean. The other man set the food down, pushing a mozz basket to me while glaring at Fuller. “All right. Message received. Only Kodi gets special treatment.”
“It’s not special treatment,” Kean mumbled under his breath. He grabbed Sosa by the elbow and yanked him down the couch to take the spot next to me. Then he asked me again, “Do you want a refill?”
“Oh, no, I’m good. Thanks.” I stuffed a mozzarella stick in my mouth to keep from saying more stupid, tipsy shit. But as the goo of cheese pulled and pulled from my bite, I couldn’t helpbut moan at how fuckinggoodit was. It wasn’t an inappropriate noise, but it did kinda sound like one.
Beside me, Kean chuckled.
“What?” I said, defensively. “They’re good.”
“I couldn’t tell,” he said with a little huff.
“Woah, Kean almost made a joke,” Fuller said with a mock gasp and Kean rolled his eyes before leaning back against the couch and crossing his arms.
“Are we still playing the game?” he asked. And the way his brow raised just a little made me realize hewantedto continue playing. And that was cute behavior coming from Kean.
“Nope!” I said, voice high pitched. I shot up to my feet, grabbing a napkin and shoving as many mozzarella sticks into my bag as possible. “I’m gonna get a cab and go back to the hotel. Jet lag, you know?”
“Jet lag? Are we even in EST?” I vaguely heard Fuller ask as I rushed from the table.
Without saying anything to anyone else, I rushed out of the building and paused just outside, a little freaked out my kinda boss might’ve overheard me say I kinda want him. After a few deep breaths and telling myself even if hedidhear, Kean wouldn’t care, I pulled out my phone to order a cab. But before I got the app up, a hand reached over me, waving to a cab on the road.
“If you’re not staying, I figured I’d call it a night, too,” Kean said, so close that his breath sent goose bumps down my neck. The cab stopped in front of us and Kean moved around to open the door for me, head cocking when I didn’t immediately join him.
Whatever, it was fine. The alcohol was making me dramatic. I could share a cab ride with my hot boss who was suddenly trying to get the stick out his ass without incident. Easy peasy.
A Muscle Memory
Olli
In retrospect, I should’ve known Fuller and Sosa would be in on Brooker’s wingman plan. They were his little protégées and had the same tendencies to party and be menaces.
What I hadn’t expected was Kodi to straight-up say she thought I was hot. I could tell she was attracted to me, there’d been just enoughlooksto draw that conclusion. But to hear her say it … it set my blood on fire. I was so hot, I considerednotriding in the cab with her in case something else happened that would tip me over the edge.
But then there was the softness. Pink rising to her cheeks when she admitted that she’d consider dating me if things changed.
That confession dampened the hunger and made me think long term. The game was a good start but I needed to do … more to open up to her.
The only problem was I didn’t really know how to do that. Did I tell her random facts about myself? Or just respond to everything she said? I couldn’t for the life of me think of how to begin a friendship, let alone how to begin one that turned into more.
“So … did you get enough to eat?” I asked when we were settled in the cab. The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror, raising an eyebrow like he was unimpressed with my attempt at conversation.
“Um, yeah,” Kodi said, fiddling with the strap of her bag. I could see the napkin she rolled up the mozz sticks in, sticking out.
“Well.” I chewed at my lip. “I didn’t. I’m sure the guys are enjoying those apps, but I’d like to get an actualmealbefore bed. So I’ll be getting delivery, if you want something too.”
“No, that’s all right. You already spent money on me at the bar. I can order myself something, if I get hungry later.”
I hummed, disappointed the only obvious avenue for conversation was shot down so quickly. But it was fine, there was no rush for us to get to know each other. Nothing could come of it until she got the other job anyway. Just because I wanted it badly didn’t mean it needed to happen immediately.
“You can just tell me if it’s too personal, but I’m curious about your relationship thing,” Kodi said, eyes still on her bag. The driver hummed and I straightened up.
“Yeah, ask whatever.”
