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“Poor kid,” Pete muttered. “I remember the first time the media roasted me after a game. Fuck, that sucked.”
“It’s never fun,” Gonzo added. “But yeah, the first one was the worst.”
“Kid’s having a great season. He’ll rally.” Smitty picked up his beer and took a long, slow sip as he stared off toward the back of the bar. “Looks like Andy is in fine form again tonight.”
Ryan watched Andy as he set a tray of shots down at a table of women. “He’s such a tool.”
“No shit, so why’d you help him out the other night with the girl?” Gonzo asked.
“I don’t know. He’s a teammate. That’s what you do.” Although when it was drilled into his head as a kid to always put your team first, he’d never pictured he’d have to rescue his teammate from getting caught cheating on his wife. It kind of seemed like that should be above and beyond. Except he kept hearing his dad’s voice, telling him to do whatever it took to keep the team in sync. Unfortunately, that meant sometimes you had to take a bullet for a teammate.
“I guess,” Gonzo said. “So, you are going to see the sexy blonde again?”
“I kind of have to since Kirsty thinks we’re dating.”
“I can’t believe Andy did that to you at a team meeting,” Smitty mumbled. “What an asshole. Please tell me blondie was smart enough to dump his ass.”
“Her name’s Peyton,” Ryan said. “And yeah, she sure acted like she was done with him, but who knows?”
“Well, I guess if you’re going to fake date somebody, she may as well be hot.” Gonzo waggled his eyebrows.
“What’s she like?” Pete asked.
“No clue really.” Ryan pictured Peyton when she’d opened the bathroom door. She’d been a hot mess and as much as he disliked women who chased married men, he’d felt a little bad for her. “She said she had no idea he was married.”
“What? She didn’t google him?” Pete’s brow raised in shock.
“That’s what I said.” Ryan shrugged. “But apparently not. Obviously, if she had, she would have seen what an idiot he is, but who knows?” Ryan looked back over at Andy, who now had a woman on his lap. “I seriously do not get it. What do women see in him?”
“No fucking clue,” Pete replied. “I asked Kendall, and she said she didn’t get it. She says he’s smarmy, whatever the fuck that means, so I have no idea.”
“Confidence,” Smitty said. “Women like a confident guy.”
“Nah, my sister nailed it. He is fucking smarmy.” Ryan pictured Peyton, and his jaw tightened. The guys were right. She was fucking hot. It pissed him off to picture her with Andy. Maybe that’s what his problem was with Peyton. He was jealous Andy had been with her. He honestly didn’t get it. If she wasn’t a groupie or trying to use Andy to get her company the contract with the team, then why the hell had she dated him?
“Damn.” Smitty fake coughed into his hand, muffling his voice as a sultry redhead and her friend walked up to their table.
“Tough loss tonight,” she said and trailed her hand down Ryan’s arm. “You look like you could use a little cheering up.”
“I’m good,” Ryan replied. What the hell was that about? He’d said no with zero thought whatsoever. Not even a second glance at the woman. Now he was turning down a sure thing because of his fake girlfriend. This Peyton thing was messing with his head.
“You sure?” She pressed closer to him.
Ryan eyed the way her round breasts spilled out over the top of her shirt. She was hot in that obvious way while Peyton’s sexiness was more subtle. Jesus, why was he even comparing them? Peyton wasn’t here. He barely knew her.
Loud laughter erupted from Andy’s table in the back and he grit his teeth. Here he was in a fake relationship with Peyton to save Andy’s ass and the guy couldn’t even be bothered not to cheat on his wife again the first chance he got. “Thanks, but I’m seeing someone,” he told her, smiling to soften the rejection.
“I won’t tell if you won’t. She’ll never know.”
Ryan’s spine straightened. That right there was a part of the problem. These women made it so damn easy for guys like Andy to cheat. “I’ll know,” he growled.
Gonzo leaned over to the brunette friend. “I’m single.” He flicked his thumb toward Smitty. “So’s he.”
The red head slid closer to Smitty and away from Ryan. “Is that right?” she purred. “What’s your name?”
“Jeff,” Smitty replied.
Ryan hopped off his chair. “Here take my seat. I’m gonna go play pool.”
