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I tip back my drink. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Every time I see you two within five yards of each other, there’s friction.” Darius hits me on the shoulder, and I just barely suppress my cringe.
My shoulder’s been a little tender lately. Nothing big, but enough that I’ve noticed.
“Maybe she just gets tongue-tied because I’m the QB1.” I flash a wide smile and tip my drink back to avoid having to answer any other questions.
The guys let it slide when Dr. Frampton comes by to say hello. We chat with him for a minute before we’re told to make our way to our seats for the dinner portion of the evening.
Usually I don’t mind these things. It’s a good chance to get to know some of the guys on the team better and build a bond with them outside of the field. But ever since Shayna entered the room, I’ve felt agitated.
She was gorgeous tonight, which isn’t surprising. Every man here has noticed, giving her second glances, their eyes roaming up and down her body. It’s impossible not to with that dress she’s wearing—classy and sophisticated, yet sexy as fuck. That’s Shayna in a nutshell, and after tonight, everyone will know it and she’ll have guys sniffing around for sure. It’s why I wish she would have shown up on my arm tonight.
The entire dinner is spent with me pretending to listen to the other people at my table and joining in on the conversation, but I keep sneaking glances at Shayna because I have a perfect view of her table. I can’t see her face, but I can see the back of her head, and there’s a whole helluva lot you can read from body language alone.
For instance, she prefers talking to the man on her right, who must be the date of the other athletic trainer to his right, and she’s trying her best to avoid conversation with the guy directly across the table from her. Also, it’s clear that she and Bryce are tight now—they’ve been chatting and giggling and whispering the entire dinner.
“Burrows, you paying attention?” Miles pulls me back to where my focus should be.
I put down my fork. “Sorry, what’d I miss?”
“Twyla has something to tell us all.” Miles motions to his little sister with a proud smile.
Most of the guys know Twyla pretty well. She’s kind of like all our little sisters. She visits so often from where she lives on the East Coast that we’ve all grown to feel protective of her. Maybe me more than others since I’ve known her for longer.
Her hands are in her lap, and she draws in a deep breath as though maybe she’s nervous about whatever she has to say. “Last week, Mathew proposed, and I accepted. I’m getting married!” She holds up her left hand and a large diamond sparkles on her ring finger.
The entire table breaks out in applause and congratulations. Everyone slides out of their chairs to give her a hug and congratulations. Miles’s eyes are wide and his mouth hangs open. I smack him on the back as I push my chair back and stand, walking over to Twyla to give her a hug and my congratulations.
I’m sure she decided to announce it here in front of everyone at the table because Miles is like a big brother pit bull and he especially doesn’t like Twyla’s boyfriend, now fiancé, Mathew. But Miles’s opinion matters a lot to her, so I’m sure she’s nervous to see what he thinks of her upcoming nuptials. If he’s smart, he’ll pretend he’s excited for her, no matter how he really feels.
When I back up from Twyla, Miles hugs his sister and wishes her congratulations. Twyla’s eyes are filled with relief.
We all toast to Twyla, then I excuse myself to use the restroom. When I leave the men’s room, Shayna is making her way down the hall toward the ladies’ room. I call her name. Why, I have no idea. She’s made it clear she wants me to leave her alone, and if I didn’t already know that, the scowl she gave me in front of the guys earlier would make it clear.
She doesn’t slow, so I jog to catch up with her.
“What’s the rush?” I ask.
“I want to get back to my table.” She stops but doesn’t turn her head to look at me, so I come around her to stand in front of her.
“Did I say something earlier to piss you off? I wasn’t the one who bumped you.”
She sighs. “I realize that, Lee. Not everything is about you.”
My forehead wrinkles. “Are you all right?”
“Shouldn’t you get back to your table? I’m sure your date won’t be happy if she finds you in the hallway talking to me.” She crosses her arms, and I pretend not to notice the way her cleavage goes from a ten to a twelve. I must look as confused as I feel because she says, “What, you don’t think she’ll care? Maybe not. Then again, I’ve never known you to be the smartest guy when it comes to women.”
I shake my head. “I came alone.”
She guffaws and rolls her eyes. “I saw you with her earlier, and don’t go getting a big ego, no, I wasn’t looking for you in the crowd, I just happened to notice.”
I stare at her for a beat, and her arms drop to her sides. I’ve never seen this side of Shayna.
“Seriously?” She shakes her head, as though I’m so predictable or something. “It was obvious the way you two were with each other.”
I raise my hands. “I swear I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
