Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
I tossed my towel aside with a groan and finally picked up my phone after Garrett escalated his tactics and began ringing it off the hook.
“Goddamn, can a man not dry his balls in peace?”
Garrett cackled. “I know those things aren’t big enough to warrant more than a swipe. You’re not answering my texts or calls, asshole. How do I know you’ve not fallen over somewhere and can’t get up?”
“Because I still have another leg and two arms that work fine? I told you I’m not coming tonight, G. I’m busy.”
“Busy doing what?”
Fuck. “I’m going on a date,” I ventured.
Garrett full-on cracked up like a jerk. “You haven’t been on a date in forever. I call bullshit. You’re just doing your introvert thing.” It was partially true. I hadn’t had many relationships in the first place. Aside from Cullen, I’d focused almost solely on football, with a few occasional hookups here and there. Nothing like G, who, prior to meeting Ramsey, seemed to view dating and football as equally competitive sports. “Finish drying your balls and get your ass to Sway at eight. I’m serious. Not taking no for an answer. It’s your brotherly duty. I want a ring this year, Houston. Now that Nance is gone, I think we have an even better chance. But all the parts need to be working together. Teamwork makes the dream work and all that. If you’re there, Atwood’s gonna have a touchstone, something that feels familiar and instantly makes him comfortable. A comfortable Atwood is an Atwood who can help take us all the way.”
I wasn’t sure I’d ever heard Garrett make such a passionate case for me to be social.
“Since when did you start majoring in psychology?” Did Garrett have a point? Maybe. I knew Cullen, and for as cocky as he could be, I suspected this most recent media storm focused on his sexuality and the subsequent trade had done a serious number on his confidence.
But that didn’t mean I had to be part of building it back up again.
“You and I both know that’s just team dynamics. C’mon, dude, break out of your cave for a little while and come. Please? What’s the big deal?” Garrett paused. “Wait, is there some beef between you two that I don’t know about?”
“No.” I sawed at my lower lip. I could tell him, but what would that accomplish? And I really didn’t want to rehash it with Garrett right now. He’d have five million questions and a whole fucking load of opinions I didn’t want to hear. Exhaling a sigh, I conceded defeat. “I’ll come for a while.”
“Sweet. I knew you wouldn’t let me down. It’ll be low-key and laid-back, no biggie.”
It was not low-key and laid-back. The guys had rented out half of Sway. Drinks and women flowed freely, the music thumped through my bloodstream, and everyone was in a festive mood that made me seem like Eeyore in comparison.
I grabbed a beer on the way in and then got lost in convo with the other guys for a solid half hour. I’d been forced into early retirement from football life, and the truth was I missed the camaraderie. Despite how much I’d bitch, every time I went out with Garrett or Ramsey, I was reminded of that. But it was a weird spot to be in, an odd feeling of both belonging and not belonging anymore that stirred a dull ache in my chest. Playing football had been my entire life, and now it wasn’t, and I wasn’t special in that regard. Plenty of other pro ballers had been forced into early retirement. I reminded myself of that, too, as I grabbed a second beer.
“So, what’s your take?” Tucker, the Rush’s starting center and another friend of mine, knocked his shoulder against mine as I eyed Cullen where he stood near the bar jawing with Ellis and Ramsey. He’d shown up a little after I arrived, but I hadn’t made my way over yet to greet him, despite Garrett constantly tossing me pointed looks. I’d get there in a minute.
“On this beer? Overrated.” I grinned as I took a swallow, and Tucker rolled his eyes.
“For real. You played with Atwood. Gimme the skinny. Think he’s good for us? I won’t say a word to anyone.”
Tucker most certainly would, but I didn’t have to lie, at least where Cullen’s skills were concerned. “It was a smart move for everyone. He’s always had good instincts, even when we first started. Had a knack for being right where he needed to be at the right time. That’s only gotten better with time. Cincinnati was a shitty fit for him, though. Their QB is an arrogant prick, like Cullen. Two arrogant pricks don’t work. With Ramsey, he’ll do fine. Ramsey knows how to handle that shit.”