AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The hot water feels good on my sore muscles. Tomorrow is a rest, relaxation, and massage day. The highlight of my week. I’m going to spend some time formulating a plan on how to woo Kelsey. I like her and I like spending time with her. A relationship may not be in the cards for us, and honestly, I should probably not jump into one so soon after Maggie, but I want to hang out with her and show her around. Hell, I want to see her at the game, cheering me on. Even if we’re only friends.
Except, I don’t want to be just a friend to her. I enjoyed the chaste little kiss I gave her and definitely wanted to explore where kissing could lead us. Still do.
“Who has plans for tonight?” someone hollers out. I can’t tell who, but it’s probably one of the single guys looking to go downtown for the night. At best, he and whoever ends up going will find themselves in a sports bar, trying to hide who they are under ballcaps. A few of the others grumble about going home. Me, I say nothing. I’m tossing the idea of heading over to Kelsey’s and being all nonchalant about the game. But then I think women might not like a man who’s in your face and being forward. The dreaded “my mom said you had to play with me” line is very much the same when it comes to dating—no one wants to be forced to hang out with anyone. I sigh heavily and toss my wet towel into my locker where it lands with a dull thud. It doesn’t have the same effect as throwing my helmet or shoes in there. Instead, it slides down until it’s in a wet pile on top of my other stuff.
Westbury elbows me and nods toward the towel. “What’s your issue?”
“I’m in a funk.”
“Because his girlfriend didn’t show up,” Chase Montgomery says from two seats down.
“Maggie’s in town?” Westbury asks quietly. He and his wife, Peyton, are, or were, friends with Maggie. The breakup wasn’t meant to be a pick sides sort of thing, but that’s how it ended up being. More so because she’s moved away.
“Not Maggie,” I tell him. “Besides, we broke up. It’s over. Done.”
“Who then?”
The image I have of Kelsey flashes in my mind and brings a smile to my face.
“Moore’s in love with the chick he had to show around the other day,” Montgomery adds. For emphasis, he slaps my bare back with his wet towel. It stings like hell. I’d stand to kick his ass, but naked guys fighting is never a sight anyone wants to see.
“Grow up, Montgomery,” I tell him before I slip a shirt over my head.
“You like her?” Westbury asks and I nod.
“We clicked. She’s fun to hang out with. I took her out to dinner the other night and invited her to the game, but she didn’t show.”
“She say why?”
My head shakes slowly. “Nah. I think I sort of left in the air, ya know? I didn’t ask her, no really. I was like, ‘hey you should come to the game. There’ll be a ticket for you at will call.’ And then I sent over a bunch of gear.”
“One ticket?”
“Yeah, I know. That’s where I fucked up, I realize that now. I should’ve left her two so she could bring a friend.”
“You should introduce her to Autumn,” Julius Cunningham, our wide receiver, says. Autumn is his wife and our local weather person. She doesn’t miss a home game. She’s also a mom and brings their two older children to all the games. I’m not sure Kelsey would want to hang out with her. Not that I’m saying this to Julius. Autumn’s great, everyone loves her. But not everyone loves kids.
“I doubt she wants to hang out with the wives,” Westbury says to Cunningham. He then turns back to me. “If you’re going to invite her to a game, give her an on-field pass and at least let her chill with Myles. I heard they hit it off. Don’t throw her to the wolves before she has a chance to get to know them.”
“See, I knew I messed up.”
“You didn’t mess up. You’re just used to Maggie.”
Noah’s right. Maggie used my games as a way to network with sponsors and whoever had suites. Anything she could do to raise money for the children. I never faulted her for using the ticket I left her to increase funding for her programs. In hindsight, it feels like she used me.
Noah stands and starts dressing. I do the same, now eager to get the hell out of here. “You should call her.”
I grimace at the idea but he’s right. Ishouldcall, or at least text her. “I don’t even know what to say.”
Cameron Simmons, our cornerback, comes up behind me and puts his arm around my shoulders. He’s the Romeo of our team. “Do you want my opinion?”
“Nope. But you’re going to give it to me, aren’t you?”
“Of course, I am. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t?”
“What should I do, Cam?” I ask, sighing heavily.
“Go to her work tomorrow.”
