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“And we didn’t know if you’re from around here or if you’re far from home. I moved here last year and if Bryce hadn’t taken me under her wing, I’d probably still have no female friends here.” Shayna laughs.
That’s actually really sweet of them both. Although I’m not the most social of people, I find myself not wanting to say no in case I come across as rude. I have Saturday night off, but I’d mentioned to Amara that we should do something. We don’t have any concrete plans, but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if we had a bigger group.
“I am from around here, but sure, I’d love to come. The only thing is that I made tentative plans with a friend of mine for Saturday night. Mind if she comes along too?”
Shayna beams and looks a little relieved I said yes. “Of course not. The more, the merrier.”
“Great.”
“Do you have your phone on you? Let’s exchange numbers and I’ll text you the details.”
We pass one another our phones and input our info. As I’m passing mine back to Shayna, Brady and Lee approach.
“Why do I get the feeling you three are up to no good?” Lee says and looks at his fiancée as though he wants to devour her.
“Because you’re a smart man,” Bryce says.
“Shayna and Bryce invited me out on Saturday night,” I say to Brady, gauging his reaction. Will he be upset that I’m infiltrating this part of his life?
Brady’s gaze flicks to the two women and I swear a muscle in his jaw tics, but he smiles. “Sounds like fun.”
“Oh, it will be.” Bryce waggles her eyebrows.
“Where’s Theo?” I ask, changing the subject.
Brady nods behind him. “With Miles.”
I look over Brady’s shoulder and see that Miles has Theo up on his shoulders, doing squats.
“Show-off,” Bryce grumbles.
“You don’t like Miles?” I’ve only met him briefly that one time, but he seemed like a nice guy.
“Well, Bryce insists she hates him,” Shayna says and rolls her eyes. I get the feeling that maybe she thinks that’s not the case.
“Hey, go easy on my man. He’s a good guy,” Lee says.
Bryce huffs. “I gotta get back to work. I’ll see you ladies on Saturday.” She walks farther down the sideline and approaches a group of players.
“Me too. It was good to meet you, Violet. See you this weekend.”
I give her a smile, and Shayna and Lee head off in the opposite direction that Bryce went, leaving me with Brady.
“Are you sure you don’t mind me going out with them this weekend?” I ask.
His forehead wrinkles. “Why would I?”
I shrug. “I don’t know… I just wanted to be sure you didn’t feel like I was invading your territory or anything.”
He seems surprised, but before he can say anything, Theo shouts from the field, “Violet! Watch how far I can throw the ball.”
I smile and wave so he knows I’m watching. Jeez, I’m so distracted by Brady it’s as if I forgot I have a job to do. I need to remember that’s the only reason I’m here—my job.
Thirteen
Brady
Training camp is more grueling than the regular season, and it takes some time for my body to become accustomed to the grind—even when I take pretty good care of myself in the off-season. Every year that passes, my body feels the difference. At thirty-two, I’m not old, but I’m becoming football old. I can see why most professional football players don’t make it to their forties in the league.
