Page 173 of By His Play

“I’m excited. We achieved so much last season, and with that, plus some fresh blood on our roster, I think we’re going to have a fantastic season.”

“There have been rumors about some big signings this year. Are you able to shed any light on that?”

I smirk. She knows full well I can’t. Assuming I knew, of course.

I haven’t exactly been fully focused on everything in the last few months.

“All I can say is that we have an exciting season ahead of us. We’re all relaxing and recuperating, ready to hit it hard once training camp starts.”

“And of course, we have the Chiefs Summer Ball approaching,” she says excitedly.

“Of course,” I agree. Our annual fundraiser marks the end of the off-season and celebrates a summer full of successful camps.

Usually, I look forward to our events. They’re always a good night, and I always have a very beautiful woman—or two—on my arm.

This year, though, despite it still being a few weeks away, I can’t think of anything worse.

There’s only one woman I can picture attending the ball with me, and she barely responds to a message right now.

“Any clue to who your lucky lady will be this year?”

She leans forward in her seat and looks at me from beneath her lashes.

It’s not the first time she’s attempted to flirt with me.

I get it. She’s hot, and I do have a bit of a reputation.

But not today. And certainly not with her.

She might as well be a guy, for all the interest my body shows in her.

It’s been that way since I first laid a finger on Effie.

No other woman exists.

“No,” I state, and thankfully, for the first time this afternoon, she takes my cue and winds up the interview.

I’m not usually so ill-tempered during these things, but my patience is getting shorter and shorter these days.

As fast as I can, I make my way out of the building, putting any thoughts of the interview and her blatant come-on behind me.

The sun burns my eyes and I take my cap off before twisting it around and putting it back on, lowering the bill so I can hide.

Crossing the road, I walk into the coffee shop and order myself a drink and something to eat.

My legs bounce the entire time I sit in the back corner.

I’m restless, and I don’t know how to stop it.

I spent almost three hours in the gym this morning, pushing myself until my limbs were trembling and I was covered in sweat.

But it wasn’t enough.

Nothing is.

Pulling my cell from my pocket, I hit call on Effie’s number as I leave the coffee shop and walk down the street toward my car.

“Hi, you’ve reached Effie Campbell. Sorry, I can’t take your call right now. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”

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