Page 33 of Gridlocked on the Gridiron

“I was asking what you think the over-under will be next week, but now I want to know what the hell happened between six weeks ago—when you were still spewing your nonsense theory to anyone who’d listen—to now. One minute, you’re pretending you can’t stand her, and the next, you’re dating her.”

Colton clapped Cooper on the back. “I’ve got you to thank for that, actually. After you called me out for being an idiot, I tried to right the ship a bit between me and Lucia.” He hated lying to his best friend, but he’d agreed to keep the secret a secret, even from his closest friend.

“So, now what? You’re not exactly a dating kind of guy.”

Colton shrugged. He’d have taken offense if he didn’t agree. He’d just been so busy with football that dating hadn’t been a priority. “I don’t know, man. Let’s call it a crush and see where it goes.”

Cooper’s words were lost as a gaggle of women sat beside them. A couple of them moved closer to Colton, trying to trap him in a conversation about—were they talking about vegetables? Colton wasn’t paying enough attention to them to say for certain.

He watched Lucia throw her head back and laugh at something Rudy’s wife said. They’d found each other quickly in the maze of bodies that took up the first and second floor of Devin’s house and back patio, and he was glad she was making friends. It warmed his heart to see her getting along with people who meant so much to him, especially so quickly.

Her eyes met his, though they slid away quickly, landing on the two women beside him. Just as one of them placed their hand on his bicep, Lucia tracking her every move, Colton stood. He mumbled an “excuse me,” knowing Cooper would be perfectly content without him.

Lucia had already turned back to Jenna and another woman when Colton approached. In keeping up with appearances, he slid an arm around Lucia’s waist. She tensed for half a second before leaning against him.

He bent his head down to rest his lips against the shell of her ear. “Moretti,” he whispered. Her whole body shivered, and he grinned wide.

When he was satisfied with the teasing, he turned to Jenna. “Hey, Jen. How are you? And the kids?”

“Colton damn Beaumont. Come here.” She gave him a bear hug, and because his arm never left Lucia, she became a part of it. “The kids are good. Rudy’s mom’s got them tonight. I’m so glad she lives nearby. Can’t miss a party at Devin’s.”

Devin. Star wide receiver and notorious partier. He’d bought his house between two other teammates to ensure he wouldn’t get noise complaints. Not Coach Turner’s favorite man, but he certainly did his job well.

Lucia turned in his arm slightly, her nose scrunched. “What’s so great about a Devin party?”

Jenna answered before Colton could, gesturing above them. “Besides all the condoms hanging from the trees out here?”

Lucia’s eyes widened, and she turned her head to take in her surroundings. “Oh my god, I didn’t even realize.”

Jenna laughed. “That’s tame. Once Devin gets nice and drunk and convinces some of the rookies to drink too much, you’re really in for a treat.”

Lucia whispered to Colton, “I’m scared.”

Squeezing her waist, he whispered back, “It’ll be so much fun, just you wait.”

She raised an inquisitive brow. “Do you party with him a lot?”

“Nah, not really my scene. I’ll come to bye week and New Year's. Maybe a couple others during offseason, but I’m usually—”

“Yeah, yeah, focused on winning. I know, Superstar.”

“Mm, trying new nicknames? I like that one, you should call me that more.” Her cheeks pinked, and Jenna and her friend seemed to take the hint to turn further toward each other and talk.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

They continued mingling. He introduced her to as many of the partygoers whose names he knew, and some he didn’t, his arm never leaving her waist. She was nursing her third drink by the time Devin’s antics started.

The minute all the rookies came out of the house naked (but for a tiny, incorrectly-sized loincloth) and shivering, Colton knew it was about time to go. They each had one green and one yellow pompom, shaking them awkwardly.

“Alright, now for the pyramid. Sanders, you’re on top. Don’t look at me like that, you lost at straws.”

Lucia’s hand came up to cover her mouth as she giggled. Colton joined the rest of the people at the party as they cheered and whooped for the oversized men pretending to be cheerleaders.

Only a moment after they got into formation, the pyramid began to sway, and nine NFL players fell into the Olympic-sized swimming pool, splashing everyone within thirty feet. Devin clapped gleefully and jumped in after them.

“Alright, this is about the time I typically leave. Let me check on Coop…” Cooper somehow had three women wrapped around him—one of whom had stolen his cowboy hat—and the biggest smile on his face. “Yeah, I think we’re probably good to go.”

Lucia looked in Cooper’s direction, her laugh melodic.

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