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The Whitmores were a big deal in the community. As in, they had a tremendous amount of money and were big philanthropists. Doing a party for the Whitmore family could make a difference in her business for the next year. The access to contacts and referrals alone could be nothing short of amazing.
“Does two o’clock sound good to you, Mr. Whitmore?” She gave him the address to her new location, and he said he’d use GPS to find it.
“Sounds perfect. I look forward to meeting you tomorrow, Willow.”
It wasn’t until at least fifteen minutes later she realized he knew her name—and she’d never said it once. Was he a friend of her dad’s? Or did he just know who she was? The town was pretty small, after all…
Could her father have directed Phil Whitmore to her business out of some sort of sympathy deal? She liked how he stayed out of her business beyond the occasional, “let me give you lots of money so you never have to worry again” offer. She didn’t know whether to be pleased or angry. Her father wanted the best for her but sometimes, he tried to manage her life a little too closely.
And she didn’t like it.
…
“You were outrageous on the field today.” Jared clapped Nick on the back as he walked by.
“Right back at ya,” Nick tossed over his shoulder, slamming his locker extra hard. The rattling sound did nothing to soothe his agitated nerves. Not that he thought it would. He’d been stomping around the entire weekend, amped up over his night with Willow. Taking all of his sexual frustration out on the field. On the ball, on other players, on the fans…everyone.
He’d even yelled at his mama when she called first thing this morning to wish him good luck at the game. After giving him a good scolding, she’d hung up on him and he’d promptly received a call from his dad about good manners and how he should always treat a lady—specifically his mother—like a queen.
Nick called her right back and apologized. Then continued to ponder for a good part of the morning, reimagining his night with Willow. Instead of him walking out on her, in his imagination, he took it much further.
Dragging her back to her bedroom and pushing her onto the bed. She’d lie in the middle of the mattress, watching him with those hot dark eyes as he quickly undressed. Then he would climb on top of her, kiss her everywhere, and proceed to drive her out of her ever lovin’ mind with lust until finally, finally he would…
“Are you all right? You’ve been acting all day like your ass is on fire and someone is chasing it.”
Nick glanced to his right to find his coach standing there, a grim expression on his face. Just great. “Isn’t that what you want? Me running like my ass is on fire?”
“Hey, I’m not complaining. You were working the Hamilton ball-handling magic hardcore on the field today. But you’re also acting all down and out off the field and that’s not like you. You’re our go-to guy. The cheerful one,” Walsh explained.
“Sometimes even the cheerful one has a bad day, right?” He had no idea these high expectations were piled on top of him. He’d just always…been himself. Now he was feeling out of sorts and everyone freaking noticed.
“Not you, Nick. Never you.” Walsh shook his head. “Even when you’re having a shit day, you’re always pretty damn cheerful. So I’m wondering if something is going on. Your family doing okay? Got some personal problems that are messing with your head?”
“Christ, no.” Like he’d tell Walsh. Like he’d tell anyone his “trouble” with Willow. How would he explain it without the entire scenario sounding sleazy?
I bribed my ex to go on pretend dates with me and I’m not pretending. I want her. I need her…
One freaking date and he was in too deep. She was driving him nuts.
He remembered Sheridan’s speech, how she told him the way he was treating Willow was exactly what she needed.
Not so sure about that right now…
“So nothing bothering you?” Walsh peered at him, his bushy brows drawn together, checking Nick out like he was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve.
“Leave him alone, Walsh.” Jared appeared out of nowhere, an easy smile on his face. “Maybe he’s just having an off day. We’re all allowed to have them on occasion, right?”
“Right, right.” Walsh nodded, looking from Nick to Jared and back to Nick again. “We need you on your toes, Hamilton. The season’s down to the wire and the last thing I want to see is you spiraling out of control over some girl or whatever else has got you twisted into knots.”
Nick frowned. How the hell did Walsh figure he had girl problems?
Jared remained silent until Walsh walked away, then gave Nick the side eye. “What the hell is your problem anyway? I know you’re all wound up over Willow, but it’s putting a serious damper on your mood. You’re stalking around here like an agitated bear, growling at everyone who gets in your way. And if you’re not growling, you look like a sad sack who just found out your best girl just stomped all over your pitiful heart.”
His friend was cutting way too close to the truth. “Am I really that obvious?” Nick scrubbed his face with his hand. Women. They would be the absolute death of him.
“I knew it had something to do with a certain dark-haired pretty lady with a penchant for sarcasm.” Jared laughed when he caught sight of Nick’s murderous glare. “Am I right or what?”
“Damn it, I don’t want to talk about her.” The locker room was emptying out but the guys still loved nothing more than to listen in on other people’s conversations. He didn’t want anyone to hear what went down between him and Willow. Not only was it nobody’s business, but hell. He’d already said enough to his best friend about what happened. And he definitely didn’t want to relive the embarrassing and fucked-up scenario yet again.
