Page 114 of Even Exchange

“What the hell, me?” He slaps me on the back of the head. “What the hell, you? You’re going to give up aprivateextra training for the NFL team youjustsigned with? Why? You need to get your priorities straight.”

“They are,” I tell him weakly.Aren’t they?

“They better be,” he tells me firmly. “If you want this, if you want to be the best, you have to practice like the best. You have to play like the best. And you sure as hell will not be giving up any opportunities or extra attention.”

A stadium-sized weight presses on my shoulders. I’ve been so focused on Charlotte, I haven’t prioritized football. She’s not even my real girlfriend,yet,and it’s already affecting my job.This is why I avoid relationships.The thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Charlotte is the one thing keeping me sane right now. She isnota distraction… is she?

“I vouched for you,” Porter continues. “And you are not going to make me look like an idiot. Especially not this year.”

“Why exactlyisthis year different?” I ask, ready to be out of the hot seat.

“It’s on a need-to-know basis,” he says, returning to nurse his drink.

“Will Ineedto call you Coach Porter again sometime soon?” I press, fighting a smile.

“Not likely. They can’t afford me.”

“Are we done here?” Knox asks, throwing an arm around Porter.

“Yes,” Porter says before downing the rest of his drink. “Please.”

“We’re going to Ploutos,” Knox tells me. “Care to join?”

“I’ll ask Charlotte if she’s up for it,” I say, thinking about the hotel room awaiting us upstairs and all the things I’m planning to do to her in it. We walk out to the hallway and meet the girls.

Charlotte saddles up next to me, and I throw an arm around her shoulder, tugging her close. “They’re going to Ploutos, a club near here. Do you want to go?”

She contemplates me, biting her lip. “No, I don’t think so.”

I grin, looking towards our friends. “We’re going to call it a night.”

“Have fun,” Andi says with a teasing wave as the three of them walk away.

“You sure you’re fine with not going out?” I ask, turning to face Charlotte.

“Definitely,” she says with a mischievous grin. “I’m not really in the mood for clubbing tonight.”

“Whatareyou in the mood for?”

“Isn’t preparing the lesson plan your job, Professor?” she says, low and sultry, gripping my suit jacket and tugging me with her as she retreats towards the wall, her back hitting a wooden door with a rattle.

“If I didn’t know better”—I flatten my hand behind her, caging her in—“I’d say you’re asking for trouble.”

“What makes you assume you know me so well?”

The click of a door followed by a flood of chatter fills the hallway. One voice in particular stands out that I would definitely not like interrupting this moment. My eyes snag on the door behind Charlotte, and I reach around her, tugging it open. Gripping her waist, I pull us inside the room and shut the door with a quiet click. The space is dark, an exit sign illuminating it enough to indicate it’s some kind of supply closet.

“What are you doing?” Charlotte giggles as her hands clutch my suit jacket, tugging me close.

“Taking a private minute with my beautiful date where I don’t have to make small talk.”Or deal with unwanted advances from my boss’s daughter.My hands hold her waist, the delicate material begging to be rumpled.

“So you’d rather be in the closet?”

“I’d rather be anywhere you are,” I admit, the urge for her overwhelming.

“Well, I am great company.”

Our breaths are heavy in the small space. Even with the limited visibility, her curious gaze sears me.

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