Page 26 of Gridlocked on the Gridiron

Her eyes met his, and the corner of her mouth quirked up. “I haven’t taken him seriously in a while. He went from a shitty boyfriend, to a shittier fiancé, to the shittiest ex.”

“Why don’t you block him?”

She swirled her straw again, and Colton had to stop himself from reaching out to halt her fidgeting. “I know it might seem stupid, but a part of me thinks he might, maybe, apologize? Finally see that he was wrong for cheating on me, and say sorry?”

“Would you take him back?”

She scoffed, “God, no. But I spent seven years of my life loving him. Or at least thinking I did. I’d like to see some kind of redemption arc for him.” Colton watched her fiddle with the ring on her middle finger.

He really didn’t want to say the next words. He’d been enjoying their fake relationship and truce, and he wanted it to continue, but he couldn’t ignore all of the hardships she was having to endure because of it. So, quietly, he asked, “Do you think it’d be easier if we broke up?”

Her hand stilled. “Oh, uh, why?”

“Well, just, if it’s making your life more difficult, both by adding extra work and an even shittier Clark, maybe you want an out?”

She watched him, her mouth opening and then closing.

“Lucia, I’m not saying I don’t want to continue, just so we’re clear. But the point of the arrangement was for us to both benefit, and if you aren’t benefiting, then I don’t want you to feel like we have to continue.” He smiled at her warmly. “I’d like to think we’re the kind of people who can play nice and maybe one day be friends if we were to break up.”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t think it makes sense. You were right about this allowing us to control the narrative the press spins, and that’s what I need right now. The added report and a few more texts from Max a day aren’t a big deal. I think it’d be worse if we broke up now.” She placed a hand on his, startling him. “But I appreciate the offer. And what you’re giving up by fake dating me.”

Giving up? What was he giving up by dating her? Having fewer laughs a day and very empty—albeit rare—free time?

Before he had an opportunity to voice that, she asked, “So, if we’re going to keep doing this, I need to know more about you.”

“Anything specific? Or should I just dump anything meaningful from my life onto you?”

“Why don’t you tell me about your family?”

His family. That was a bigger question than she knew. “Well, I have a younger brother and sister. Landon plays tight end for the Sentinels, but I’m sure you knew that. My sister plays pro tennis, and she’s on the women’s tour right now.”

“Jesus. Athletic family. I know Landon went to Crestview, too. Did Maya?”

“Yeah. We grew up near LA, so it just made sense to stay nearby. Especially after our mom passed.”

Lucia’s eyes widened, and the waiter chose that moment to bring their food.

The young man, little older than a boy, placed Lucia’s pasta and Colton’s personal pizza in front of each of them. He stopped when Colton looked up at him.

Excitedly, he said, “Oh my gosh, Donovan said it was you, but I didn’t believe him. I—I’m so sorry to do this, but would you sign my shirt for me? My family will lose their mind.”

Colton always felt awkward when people asked him for pictures or autographs, but he smiled. “Of course. Do you have a pen, or…?”

“Yes!” He rummaged around in his apron pockets, pulling out a black pen and lowering his shoulder so Colton could sign where he pointed.

When Colton capped the pen, he motioned toward Lucia and asked, “Don’t you want her signature? That’s Lucia fricking Moretti, the greatest NFL analyst and football software creator the league has ever seen.”

Lucia’s eyes widened again, for a different reason this time. The poor waiter began stuttering. “Oh, oh, oh, I’m so sorry. I—I’m so sorry. Would you…?” He sank down, pointing out a place on the opposite side of his shirt.

“I don’t think—”

“Moretti, do the man this one small favor.”

She sighed, smiling politely at the waiter before signing on his shoulder. When he walked away excitedly, she glared at Colton. “Why would you do that? He seemed so stressed out, like he thought he should’ve known who I was.”

“I always feel uncomfortable when that happens on a date. At least this time, I’m dating someone important enough to warrant an autograph.”

Lucia twisted her fork in her pasta, pulling out a steaming bite. “Right. Like I’m going to believe you’ve never dated a celebrity.” Colton couldn’t stop watching her lips as she placed the bite delicately in her mouth. When her eyes met his again, she covered her mouth with a hand. “Stop watching me eat!”

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