Page 58 of Tiger Lilies and Tight Ends

Titan:

Dylan: She even caught me on camera . . .

Ryder: It wasn’t me . . .

Miles: I think you’re aiming your questioning the wrong way.

Sully: Tell me what you know, or I’m coming to your house.

Miles: As long as you bring dinner.

Sully: Dinner? I have some bananas for you that I can shove up your ass.

Miles: Have you asked J.J.?

Sully: Why would I? He’s D-line and knows better.

Miles: Does he, though???

Dylan: Heard the screams getting louder . . .

Ryder: It wasn’t me . . .

Camden: Did you know if you scratch letters into the peel of the banana, the words turn brown first, leaving a message?

Sully: Is that so?

Camden: There are all kinds of pranks you can do with those bananas.

Rico: Bro, quit giving him ideas.

Sully: It wasn’t me . . .

Chapter 25

Tyler

Iswear, it’s hot as balls out here today.

Florida in August and September is stupid. There’s no reason for us to have this game at one o’clock today, yet here we are, sweating our asses off in basically the direct sun. And it isn’t just us. The fans are dying, too. Even poor Lily. More than once, I’ve caught her fanning herself and wiping her face.

I get it, I do. We can’t have all of our games at eight during prime time, but the northern states should definitely have their games at the one o’clock time slot. That or they build us a dome for better working conditions.

Speaking of working conditions, don’t get me started on this stupid mic that’s driving me crazy. I can’t believe they talked me into this. Well, I should say forced. Apparently, it’s in our contracts that we are to be complicit with whatever the organization requires of us, and social media falls under media and marketing.

They couldn’t even wait until the game started. Danica had to put it on me starting at warm-ups.

Also, ask anyone if they’re surprised that I’m mic’d up for this game, and they’ll tell you no. When the mic’d-up list first came out, I was scheduled for a game later in the season, but they sure did make that change super quick after all the commotion last weekend. I bet they’re just sitting on the sidelines salivating and waiting for something to happen today.

Which it won’t because I’m not a dumbass.

Even Lily, she eyed the wire like it was going to catch her on fire when I met her on the sideline and we did our pinky shake. We didn’t exchange any sort of conversation, just a few eye gestures toward the offensive device and one of me looking her over appreciatively. That shirt with my name on it, tiny white shorts, heeled sandals, and big hoop earrings—she does it for me, and I have to take a few deep breaths to keep myself in check in these tight pants. I’d hate to embarrass us both. She wished me luck with a flirty smile that nearly brought me to my knees. I thanked her for coming, and we did our pinky shake.

Lily.

I’m proud that she came today, given the fact that he’s here. I told her she didn’t have to, but she likes spending time with Camille, Sophie, and Lexi. She’s also starting to come out of her shell more. It’s been nice to watch. The girl who showed up a few months ago was closed off, wary of the world, and spent more time hiding than anything else. And if we’re all being honest, it’s fair to say she was even hiding from herself.

That’s what he did to her. It pisses me off just thinking about it, and I have to roll my head to crack the tension in my neck.