Sarah nods, a little more composed than before. “Yeah. You’re welcome to join us if you want. No pressure or anything. Just not sure if you’re here alone or anything.” She raises her hands. “I can’t promise I won’t talk football, but my fiancé will stop me.”
Fiancée?
My gaze immediately falls to her hand, and yep, right there is a giant rock on her finger.
She... she has no interest in me?
Why am I so fucking surprised about that?
I guess I got used to being talked about as a commodity, and girls’ looks lingering for just a second longer. It’s been like that since St. Michael’s. Most of them don’t even bother pretending it’s about anything other than what I can give them.
I’ve gotten used to the dynamic. Expect it, even.
But this? This wasn’t that.
This is what I told Honey would happen.
Every time she got overwhelmed. Every time she said she couldn’t handle the looks, the comments, the way people treated me like I wasn’t just... hers.
It won’t always be like this, I’d told her.
Once I go pro, it’ll settle. People won’t care as much. It’ll be different.
She never believed me, and at St. Michael’s, she was right not to. It didn’t matter how well I played, the attention never dipped. If anything, it got worse after the Jenni debacle and people thought I was single.
I kind of forgot that one day it might change.
Had no idea that day would come now.
Before I can respond, something catches my eye in my peripheral vision.
Honey.
She’s in the same white robe from this morning when she ambushed me in my room this morning. Only now her hair is down, she’s got sunglasses on, and she looks... relaxed. Hopefully, it’s because of the massage, and not another guy.
Fuck, I really can’t stop thinking about her, can I?
Sarah and Taylor are still standing beside me.
Oh, yeah, I forgot they were here after seeing Honey. But also, shit. If Honey sees them, is she going to think things are still the same?
She’s scanning the area now, for a lounger, I presume, and I dip my chin, not wanting her to see me like this.
“Hey,” I say, pushing up a little from the lounger. “I appreciate the offer. Really.”
Sarah nods immediately, like she already knows where this is going. “Yeah, of course.”
“But I think I’m gonna keep it low-key tonight,” I add. “Got some stuff I need to figure out before I head out.”
“Totally fair,” Taylor says without missing a beat, slipping her phone back into her bag.
“Honestly, we’ll probably be asleep by ten anyway. We’re not that exciting.”
Sarah laughs softly. “Speak for yourself. James is going to make me go to the club tonight, and I’m not sure I can handle it.” She laughs, then looks back at me. “Good luck this season, though. Seriously. We’ll be watching.”
“Yeah,” Taylor adds. “Don’t make her regret that jersey.”
I huff out a quiet laugh. “I’ll try not to.”
