“Did you guys share a bed?” Austin asks.
“What? No, she stayed in my guest room.”
“Did she hear you?” Hunter pipes up.
“I don’t think so.”
“Then what’s the problem? What does it matter if she doesn’t know?” he asks, confused.
“You’re going to get attached,” Cooper muses.
I let my eyes drag to him and I take in his smug expression. “I think I already am.” Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I reveal the last piece of information. “I’m taking her on a date.”
“Hold up, a date?” Austin gapes.
“How did you get her to agree to that?” Cooper questions.
“So, are you guys like dating now?” Austin asks.
“Yes, a date. No, we’re not dating. It was my stipulation if I won a bet.”
“And you won the bet,” Austin fills in the blank.
“I won the bet,” I confirm, lips pressing into a firm line.
“So, why do you sound so upset about this? You’ve asked her out before and she shot you down. Isn’t this what you wanted?” Cooper prods.
“We’re not allowed to date,” I say, trying to explain the situation as simply as possible. But from the look of horror on all of their faces, that doesn’t seem to help.
“Allowed?”
“She’ll lose her job if she’s found fraternizing with the team or anyone else she works with.”
Cooper gapes at me. “Then what in the fuck possessed you to ask her on a date as part of the bet?”
Okay, ouch. The judgment in his tone stings. I know it probably wasn’t the smartest idea, but we’ve been hanging outas friends up until now and everyone’s still none the wiser. Even the guys didn’t know the extent of our friendship until recently.
“I wasn’t exactly thinking so clearly when I pitched it. But now I’m determined.”
“Determined to do what? Get herfired?” Hunter asks.
“No, of course not! I have something in mind that keeps us out of the public eye and I think she’ll enjoy.”
“Then what’s the goal here?” Cooper asks.
“I want to show her that we could be good together, great even. Not just as friends, but in afor the rest of our livesway.”
“Oh boy. You’re in deep,” Austin points out, voice solemn.
I purse my lips. “I’m afraid so boys. So, help me figure out a way to get the girl.”
SEVENTEEN
LET’S BALL
ISABELLA
My palms areslick with sweat and my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest.
