Page 28 of Gridlocked on the Gridiron

“Don’t you wanna know what kind of fun I have by myself? And why it would be so much better with, say, a girlfriend?”

Lucia held back a giggle at the insinuation. Colton was an idiot, but he certainly knew how to make her laugh.

“I’m going to start recording our conversations and showing your teammates. Just so you’ve been made aware.”

He groaned. “Lu-chi-uh, I’m so bored. Talk to me.”

She wondered why he’d chosen her to talk to when he was bored when all of his best friends were on the plane with them. She felt almost honored that he’d chosen her to annoy.

In keeping with her faux-irritation, she said, “Colton, you get on my very last nerve.”

“Good.”

He placed his head on her shoulder as she continued to work. Minutes later, he was asleep, and she was too busy trying to make sure he didn’t hurt his neck to finish what she’d planned to get done on the plane.

Lucia’s phone vibrating was no longer new, but she was surprised to see two texts from Colton, especially since she knew he was supposed to be in his hotel room for the night.

Colton

Please come bother me.

Luc pls, Coach locked me in my room and it’s so early and I’m so bored.

Lucia rolled her eyes as she clicked open her phone. She had never met a man who could switch up like Colton. One minute, he was this manly, angry, hard-headed jock, and the next, he was a five-year-old.

Lucia

You text like a teenager.

She tried to focus back on her laptop where her checklist hadn’t even begun to dwindle. Most of her prep work for the game was done, but she also needed to prepare her and Colton’s sessions for the next week. Of course, those would change if something crazy happened during the game in a couple of days. If they won, she’d have to adjust a little, but if they lost, they’d have a lot more work to do. Some of which she was not equipped to handle without a sports psychology degree.

Colton

That’s fine. Bring some snacks, I am a man starved.

Lucia

I saw you scarf down an entire pizza during meetings. How does your body function with the amount of pizza you consume?

Lucia weighed whether staring at her computer for another two hours was a better or worse way to spend her time than taking snacks to her juvenile-esque, fake boyfriend. She opted for the second, knowing she wouldn’t be able to concentrate when he inevitably continued texting her.

Colton

Wouldn’t you like to know?

Lucia

Aren’t you guys supposed to be on a diet during the season?

Colton

Are you body-shaming me? I’m HURT. Here I was thinking you liked my physique.

Lucia pocketed her phone, put her laptop and tablet onto the desk, and made a snap decision to remain in the pajamas she’d changed into earlier—sweatpants and a Virginia Vipers t-shirt. She smirked at herself in the mirror, already picturing the glare on Colton’s face when he opened his door. To be fair, she’d only packed for a couple of evenings, and it was the only sleep shirt she’d brought.

The vending machines were mostly a bust, but she managed to scrounge up two bags of M&Ms, a bag of Chex Mix, and a bag of regular Lays. It would have to do, especially on short notice.

He’d texted her his room number—conveniently on the top floor—and she could see by the tape on his door that it was his. She laughed at the three layers of scotch tape on the top, middle, and bottom of the door. He must’ve been known for taking late-night trips out of his room.

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