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“No.” He’s quick to reply. “I just know there’s more that she’s not telling me. Like how she can take so much time off work.”
“I’m sure she’ll talk when she’s ready.”
“Yeah,” Caleb agrees.
“Yo, Henderson!” one of our teammates yells as he tosses a football at Caleb’s head. He catches it with ease, and they start talking shit to one another. I laugh along with them but sneak a quick message to Joey.
Me:You make it to the stadium all right?
The three little dots immediately begin to bounce across the screen, which calms my nerves. I let Caleb get me all riled up.
Joey:Yep. Just found my seat.
Her reply is accompanied by a picture of the field.
Me:You supporting team colors?
I stare at the screen, waiting for her reply, and when it comes through, I can’t contain my smile. It’s a picture of her wearing her brother’s jersey, but with both of our numbers painted on her cheek. I try not to let the disappointment show that she chose Caleb’s jersey over mine. He is her brother, after all. I’m just his best friend. The guy who can’t stop thinking about her. The guy who would give damn near anything for just a fraction of her time.
Me:Beautiful.
It’s the truth. Regardless of which jersey she wears, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and she needs to hear that as often as possible. Sure, I’m a little disappointed it’s not my name scrawled across her back, but that just gives me something to look forward to at our next game.
Joey:Good luck out there.
Me:See you after?
Joey:Count on it.
Tossing my phone back into my locker, I finish suiting up for the game. I’m ready to kill this first preseason game, so I can see her. Never in a million years did I ever think that I would want to rush the game, but here I am. The need to see her, to be around her, is strong.
“Fuck yeah!” Jones thrusts his hands up in the air as we enter the locker room. “Game one with the W baby!” he calls out. The entire locker room erupts in cheers and chants as we celebrate our win. Sure, it’s preseason, and it doesn’t count toward the playoffs, but damn, if it doesn’t feel good regardless—a win is a win.
“Drinks at the Rambler Inn,” Dominic Jefferson, a D-lineman, announces.
I make eyes with Caleb, and he just grins and shakes his head. I want him to turn him down because there is nothing that’s going to keep me from going back to his place to celebrate with Joey. Sure, I’d like to have her all to myself, but I know that if I ditch, I’m the new guy, not wanting to hang out with my new team. In reality, I’m the new guy who just wants to hang out with his best friend’s sister, but I’d rather not announce that either. Not if I can help it. Not yet anyway.
“Can’t tonight,” Caleb tells Dominic. “My little sister is in town.”
“Bring her.”
“Nah. Not really her scene. Besides, Brock and I promised her we’d be home for some dinner that she made us.”
It’s the first I’ve heard of it, but I’m rolling with it. “Right,” I agree. “And pissing her off is not at the top of my list of fun things to do.” My comment kind of makes her sound like a diva when she is anything but; however, it works because the guys grumble, but none of them invite themselves over. Caleb catches my eye and gives me a subtle nod. Good. He wasn’t feeling it either. Now all I have to do is get him to leave me alone with his sister when we get back to his place.
“You bowing out too?” Dominic asks me.
“Yep. When the lady of the house requests your presence, you make it a point to be there.”
“Lady of the house?” He raises his eyebrows.
“She’s the closest thing this one’s going to get to having a lady of the house.” I point at Caleb.
“He’s not wrong.” Caleb shrugs, taking the jab in stride.
“Fine. You two loners go home and be bored sitting on the couch while the rest of us celebrate with some babes and beers,” Dominic comments.
“I’m out too,” our quarterback, Bronson Baker, announces. “The youngest isn’t feeling well. I told the wife I’d come to relieve her.”
