Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Not feeling it.”
“Since when are you not feeling it?” he asks.
That’s the trouble with best friends, they know you, and it’s hard to keep anything from them. I’m not a huge partier, but having a drink with the guys after a game, no matter the loss or win, is something I’ve never passed up. At least when he finds out about us, he’ll see I’ve changed. That Joey has changed me.
“Now that I think about it, you’re not hooking up unless you are being super stealth about it. I know you don’t brag about your bedroom activities, but even when we go out, I don’t see you chatting up the ladies. What’s going on?” He tilts his head to the side, studying me.
For the first time in my life, I’m about to lie to my best friend. I’ve never lied to him, never kept my truths from him, but I’m about to. For her. The woman I love trumps him every time.
Wait.
What?
The woman I love?
Flashes of our time together filter through my mind, and yeah, I’m in love with her. For the second time in a matter of minutes, I have to bite back my smile. “Just getting used to the new team and all that.”
“What better way to get used to the team than to have a drink with the team?” he asks.
Fuck. He’s got me there. “Fine,” I grumble. I don’t see any other way out of this mess.
“My man.” He claps me on the shoulder and heads to the shower. Grabbing my phone, I text Joey.
Me: Caleb’s asking questions.
Joey: About us?
Me: No. But he’s calling me out for skipping drinks and going straight to my room.
Joey: Oh.
Me: It was either tell him about us or agree to go.
Joey: You need to bond with your team.
Me: I bond with them at practice and games. What I need is you. To see your face and to hear your voice.
Me: Sunshine?
Joey: Give me a minute. I’m busy swooning here.
Me: I miss you.
Joey: I miss you too, big guy. I’ll see you when you get home tomorrow.
Me: Too long.
Joey: Have a good night.
Me: I don’t like this.
Joey: It’s one night.
Me: One night too long.
Joey: Go celebrate a great game.
Me: You watched?
Joey: Always do.
Me: I’ll text you later.
Joey: Have fun.
Caleb appears next to me. “Who are you texting?”
“Just checking in with Mom.”
“How is she?”
“Good,” I say, guilt churning in my gut. “She said good game.” I might as well twist the knife of lies and guilt a little deeper.
Caleb grins. “We kicked ass.” He drops his towel and gets dressed.
I avoid eye contact as I pretend to check my emails while he finishes changing.
“Ready?” he asks a few minutes later.
“Let’s do it.” I stand and follow him out of the locker room. It’s not that I don’t want to hang out with my teammates. It’s that I want to see her and hear her voice more. I’m slowly becoming addicted. It could be something to do with the “I’m in love with her” revelation I came to not minutes ago. I’ve never been in love, never wanted to spend every waking moment with a woman. Usually, it’s shared pleasure, and we go our separate ways. With Joey, it’s different. I never want to be away from her.
Ever.
The last few days have about killed me. I don’t like leaving her alone. At least when we have home games, I know she’s in the stands watching. Yeah, I’ve got it bad.
“Damn,” Jones says, digging his elbow into my side. “Hottie at three o’clock can’t take her eyes off you.”
I tip the beer bottle to my lips and take a long pull, not bothering to look to my right. There’s no point. I know it’s not going to be my Joey standing there.
“Here she comes, my man,” Caleb says, keeping his voice low. “Watch the master in action.” He nods at me.
I try not to take offense to his words because they are true. They were true. I’ve been told my dark hair, blue eyes, and killer smile is a panty dropper. I’ve always had a way with the ladies and never regretted enjoying the company they provided, at least not until this minute—my stomach rolls at the thought of touching someone who is not Joey. What’s worse is that I’m going to have to turn her down in front of my teammates. In front of my best friend. If he didn’t think something was up before, he’s going to know now.
And I can’t tell him.
I know the exact moment the leggy blonde reaches my side, not because of the attraction but because of the panic. Having her so close is wrong. I don’t want her next to me. Hell, I don’t want her or any other woman who is not Joey next to me.
“Hey, handsome,” she says, resting her hand on my arm.