Page 17 of Crazy Love

“No,” I say, feeling defensive that I missed out on that. “I’ve never even seen her until the night before Bowie’s wedding. I would’ve remembered, trust me.”

“It’s a sign.” Rhodes grins. “You’re meant to be together.”

“Rhodes,” I groan.

“No, listen. You don’t just accidentally kiss someone in the Bahamas and then find out she’s tied to your life in a permanent way. That’s fate.”

“Fate?” I scoff. “Or some cosmic joke? If Evans finds out I’m into his daughter, I’ll be shipped off to the next team so fast I can’t blink.”

“Shit. Yeah. He’s really hard on you already…this would not fly,” Weston says.

I wince, rubbing the pain in my chest that’s been there since I figured out who Addy is.

Henley leans back against the treadmill. “What are you gonna do?”

I exhale, shaking my head. “I don’t know. She followed me after the announcement. Tried to explain. She was scared of what we had…because she knew who I was the whole time.” I shake my head again. “And her college roommate got in an accident and that’s why she had to leave.”

“So she didn’t just ghost you for no reason,” Rhodes says, folding his arms.

I sigh. “No.”

Weston spreads his arms. “Bro. This is your second chance. Don’t blow it.”

“What am I supposed to do? I can’t pursue her,” I grumble. “You heard Coach today.All you single players…and you know I’m not high on his list to begin with.”

“You can’t miss this opportunity,” Rhodes says.

“Agreed,” Henley says, smirking.

“Prove yourself to her dad,” Bowie says.

“I’ve been trying to for years now!” I say, louder than I intended.

“And don’t be a bonehead,” Rhodes says.

“I’m not being a bonehead,” I mutter.

“Keep it that way,” Rhodes adds, pointing at me. “Now is not the time to dive back into your player ways. You said yourself that you’re tired of the clubbing. Prove it.”

I glare at him, glare at all of them. “Is it even allowed for me to ask her out?” I ask. “Elle wasn’t allowed to date Rhodes when she was a cheerleader. It’s probably against the rules for us to date too.”

“But youwantto date her?” Weston asks, grinning.

“Have you not been listening?” I yell, flinging out my arm.

His smile just grows. “I gotta say, I love seeing you like this.”

“It is pretty great,” Bowie says, chuckling.

“Third best day of my life after having Levi and marrying Elle.” Rhodes smirks.

“I thought you said that about me and Tru,” Henley teases.

“Yeah, I think I was one of the best days in there too, with Sadie,” Weston adds.

“Same.” Bowie nods.

Rhodes waves them off. “Focus, people.”

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