Page 38 of Stick Fight

He shrugs and searches through the pods. “We’ll tell them whatever you want.”

I arch a brow. “That I’m an old friend and you’re helping me out?”

“Reasonable.”

“Believable?”

His mouth quirks as he glances at me again. “My friends aren’t going to ask questions, Gabby. Not too many anyway,” he adds with a smirk. “You don’t have to meet them if you don’t want. You can keep a low profile until you figure out your next move.” He puts a pod into the machine, and turns, leaning against the counter. “I think the WAGs, though. They’re smart women with connections. Maybe one of them can help you out.” His lips tug into a playful smile. “No one has to know I’m your rebound with benefits. Until you’re back on your feet.”

I chuckle at that then under my breath murmur, “Yeah, maybe.” What would they think if they knew I ran the night before my wedding? I’m definitely not telling anyone what I walked in on. That’s a whole different level of humiliation.

As he waits for the coffee to finish, I slip back into the bedroom, pull off the dress and tug on his T-shirt. When I return and drop onto the sofa, I say, “Tell me about the players and their families.”

He grabs a packet of sugar and shakes it. “Brighton, Noah’s wife, runs a resort. They have two kids. Melanie, Brady’s wife, is a therapist.” He taps his temple. “She can get in here without you even knowing.”

A mock shiver rolls through me, and I hug myself. “Maybe I’ll steer clear of her.”

He laughs. “Nah, she’s one of the good ones. Dani is Conner’s wife. They have twins and she runs a doggy daycare.”

“That is amazing.”

“Yeah, she even has this big dog bus. It’s pretty cute.” He comes back with the coffees and sets them on the coffee table. “Gina is Ash’s wife and she owns our favorite café downtown. You’re going to love it. They have a daughter, Zoe. Maeve is Tanner’s wife. They have a daughter, Stella, and she’s the team’s physiotherapist. Then there’s Kalen who’s dating Sahara. She’s his sister Taylor’s friend. Taylor is at this wedding with Elias. He’s Kalen’s best friend.”

Overwhelmed at all the names and relations, I hold my hand up. “My brain is full.”

“How about your stomach?” He tears open a brown paper bag and my mouth waters at the sight of scones, cinnamon rolls and croissants.

I pick up one of the cinnamon rolls, eyeing the small bite. “Looks like the bakery has a mouse problem.”

He frowns, and shakes his head. “Wow, yeah, I know. Don’t eat that one.” He grabs the other one and hands it over, but I hesitate, staring like it might bite me back.

“You don’t like cinnamon rolls?” He tilts his head. “There are other things. I just never heard of anyone who didn’t like cinnamon rolls before. Cinnamon rolls are Gina’s specialty at The Nook. The team cleans her out every weekend in the off season. We really shouldn’t be eating them while playing.” He wags a finger at me. “Don’t tell Coach I’m eating this.” He pops a piece into his mouth and moans as I crinkle my nose like they’re distasteful. “You’re kind of a weirdo, Gabs,” he teases with a grin.

“I don’t like them,” I state flatly.

Shrugging, he gives up the fight. “If you don’t like them, you don’t like them.” He’s about to take it from me when I shift it out of his reach.

My eyes widen. “I’m not a monster, Roman. I don’t like them, I love them,” I admit with a sigh, inhaling the sweet aroma. “I just don’t eat them anymore.”

“Why the hell not?”

I swallow. Since meeting Cass there are a lot of things I don’t do anymore. Things like eating sweets, carbs. Having sex that doesn’t seem like a dirty chore for my partner.

God, I am so stupid.

“Gabs.” His voice softens. “Get out of your head. It’s just a cinnamon roll.”

I laugh and my gaze flicks to him. He winks and rubs his stomach. “I need to work this off later. Coach is going to have my ass if I don’t come back in game shape.”

Ripping off a big piece, I toss it into my mouth and moan as the delicious cinnamon taste explodes on my tongue. After I chew, I open my eyes and find Roman watching me, his jaw slack, his eyes dark.

“You okay?”

“No, I’m not okay. You moan like that again, and I’m going to have your ass.”

I laugh, the tension leaving my shoulders. This man is good for me.

He grabs the remote and the sound of his throat working as he swallows sends a jolt of heat through me.

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