Page 64 of Gridlocked on the Gridiron

Maya laughed quietly beside Lucia, though it sounded forced. When Lucia looked at her closer, she could see the sadness that’d been there at Jenna’s house still lining her face, and she wondered what might still be weighing on her.

Just as their champagne arrived, her phone buzzed. When she saw who’d texted her, the warmth from the alcohol spread through her whole body, those pesky butterflies fluttering around again.

Colton

Take care of Maya, I think she’s upset.

I’m sure dinner with our father didn’t help, even if it was her idea, but something’s been wrong since she got here.

Lucia

Always.

“Lucia?” Jenna had been talking to her and she hadn’t even realized.

“Huh?”

“I was asking how things have been with you and Colton. I remember the beginning stages with Rudy, especially with the spotlight, though I bet there’s a bit more of that for you two.”

Lucia stowed her phone, not wanting to get caught texting the very man they were talking about.

“Oh, good, good. We’re really good.”

A mischievous grin spread across Leigh’s face. “Do you get to see him when you travel with the team?”

Lucia chuckled, not sure why Leigh looked so impish. “Yes, if we get time, we try to see each other.”

“And the sex?”

For the second time that night, Lucia choked on her drink, not quite certain why her friends were so interested in her sex life.

“Ugh, gross. That’s my brother.” Lucia stifled a laugh at Maya’s words.

Jenna leaned forward toward Maya, her cheeks rosy like she hadn’t had an opportunity to talk like this for years. “What’s up with you and Cooper, anyway?”

Maya went rigid as four pairs of eyes fell on her. She downed her glass of champagne and then cleared her throat. “Nothing. He’s Colton’s best friend, and he’s like a brother to me.”

Lucia was having a hard time believing that, but if Maya wanted to pretend, she wasn’t going to out her. Later, she would try to talk to her separately.

Jenna looked unconvinced as well. “He looks at you like you put stars in the sky. The same way Colton looks at Luc.”

Lucia was startled at that. Isa tensed beside her, like she, too, wasn’t sure what to make of the comment. Did Colton look at her a certain way when they were around others? She certainly hadn’t noticed, but if Jenna thought so, he was doing a great job of acting. All those Redditors who’d made fun of his sandwich commercials were seemingly wrong about his skills.

Her phone buzzed against her chest, and she pulled it out as stealthily as she could. Which was not at all stealthy, if the displeased look on Isa’s face told her anything.

Colton

You never take care of me when I’m upset, what’s that about?

Lucia

I’ve taken care of you plenty.

Colton

Like when?

Lucia

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