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His eyes left mine, and his head bent to his phone. A few seconds later, my phone vibrated with another message from him.
Wes: Me neither. I can’t stop thinking about it.
Me: Same. But I can’t stop thinking about the fact that it probably wasn’t a good idea.
I held his eyes for a few more seconds before tipping my head to my phone and typing out another message.
Me: Was it a bad idea, Wes?
Wes: Yes.
His response was immediate—and annoyingly deflating—but another message came hot on its heels.
Wes: But I wouldn’t take it back for anything.
In an effort to ignore just how powerful the surge of relief his words provided felt, I defaulted to the best emotional defense mechanism four brothers had ever taught me—humor. Physically, my best defense mechanism was a left hook.
Me: Not even for a first-round draft pick and Green Bay’s quarterback?
He met my eyes and shook his head.
Wes: New England’s quarterback…maybe? But definitely not Green Bay’s.
Me: Asshole.
Wes: I’m kidding. I doubt he smells so much like peaches.
Peaches. God. One simple sign of perception should not have made my heart beat faster.
Wes: Would you take it back if you could?
Me: No.
Me: Well…maybe for a job offer with New England. I’ve always wanted to meet their quarterback.
Wes: Cheeky, Win.
Me: ;)
“Are you guys texting each other while you’re sitting right next to each other?” Quinn Bailey asked as his eyes moved between Wes and me.
I froze, but Wes responded with an easy grin. “Yep.”
Quinn smirked. “What are you talking about?”
My eyes widened slightly of their own accord, but once again, Wes stayed composed, answering with a smooth tone. I almost got upset by his ability to keep his cool, but I quickly reminded myself that he no doubt had more experience.
“I was telling Winnie that I’m tempted to take this trade with New England for a new quarterback.”
Quinn’s content face creased with annoyance.
“Yeah,” I chimed in, finally finding my stride. “I think it might actually be good for the team, Wes.”
Wes smirked and nodded his head. “You might be right.”
“What the fuck Dr. Double U?” Bailey questioned with a furrowed brow, aghast at my betrayal.
I laughed and shrugged my shoulders. “It’s nothing personal, Bailey.”
“Three touchdowns and three hundred yards isn’t enough for you guys?”
I shrugged. “I heard Smith threw three hundred and fifty yards last night against Buffalo.”
“Smith is a fucking pansy. He never leaves the pocket and had two interceptions last night.”
Wes laughed, and I grinned in response.
Quinn searched our expressions. “You guys were just fucking with me, weren’t you?”
I shrugged. “Maybe you’ll think twice the next time you think doing a synchronized towel dropping when I walk into the locker room is a good idea.”
Wes furrowed his brow. “Synchronized towel dropping?”
“Man, I’m beat.” Quinn faked a yawn. “I should probably settle back into my seat and take a nap. Good talk, guys,” he said before turning back around and strategically putting his earbuds in.
Wes: Next time they pull that kind of bullshit, tell me.
Me: If my memory serves me right, you pulled the same kind of bullshit on me last night after we showered.
Wes: If MY memory serves me right, you thoroughly enjoyed what happened after.
Yeah, I definitely did.
Me: It was okay.
Wes: Liar.
Me: Stop bothering me, Lancaster. I have work emails to catch up on.
Wes: Subtle subject change, Win.
Me: ;)
I made a show of acting like I was working, tapping dramatically on my laptop keyboard as I sent Georgia a quick response to her email about Mitchell’s PT schedule and when he could fit in a quick interview with ESPN this week.
I heard Wes chuckle softly beside me, melodically accompanying the ping of my phone—another message from him.
Wes: Emails to Georgia and Cassie about pregnancy-approved foods do not count as work emails.
Me: I’ll have you know that my email to Georgia was about Mitchell’s PT schedule.
Wes: Uh-huh. Whatever you say.
Me: You calling me a liar?
Wes: Pretty sure I already called you a liar…
Me: Fine. It wasn’t just okay. It was mind-blowing. How’s that for stroking your ego?
Wes: Oh, sweetheart, you can stroke me anytime you like. You should know that much by now.
Me: I’m rolling my eyes at you.
Wes: No you’re not. I can see you and you’re smiling.
Me: Don’t you have work to do???
Wes: ;)
Lord Almighty, he wasn’t making this easy.
Quiet, reserved Wes Lancaster was showing me a different side of himself. A side that was charming and playful and so goddamn endearing. And it was that side of him I found myself wanting more of. Which I feared was bad. Very, very bad.
Jesus. I had to focus on something else.
I tapped the trackpad and opened up an email from Cassie.
To: Winnie Winslow
From: Cassie Kelly
Subject: You can thank me later…
Don’t worry, Win. I’ve got you covered for Brooks Media’s big Halloween bash this weekend. Your costume has been ordered, and you’re going to look fuck-hot as Harley Quinn.
