Page 36 of Bagging the Blueliner
“Look, I’ve listened to this so many times I can hear it in my sleep. I’m convinced it wasn’t meant for me.”
“He said your name,” Lucy pointed out.
I sighed. “Yeah, I know. But when we got on the bus to head to the arena that afternoon for the game, he was the same asshole to me he always is. He sounds drunk in the message. He musthave said my name by mistake. It’s probably a good thing it didn’t make it to its intended recipient. Hearing that would kill any chance he had with whoever is fucking with his head so badly he can’t get it up.”
Natalie chimed in. “He’s got it bad for someone. Not being able to perform? That’s a big deal.”
Amy’s green gaze bore into me as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. Then she spoke. “I think it was meant for you, Hannah.”
I rolled my eyes. “No way.”
“The clues are all there. Cal sent this while on the road. He mentions being teased watching the person in question let a man touch them. Who else is on the road that he could be talking about? Was there any physical activity with any of the guys who bought you a drink that night?”
Shuddering, I recalled the tooth-licker. “Yes, but it didn’t last long.”
“He also says he’s been watching for years, wishing he could be with this woman. That has you written all over it. Cal can get any woman he wants. We all know that. There’s only one woman he can’t have. That’s you.”
“I don’t know, Ames. I think you’re trying to find ways to make me fit the description.”
She wasn’t deterred, countering, “What about the time I caught him checking out your ass at the club? And the time he lost his shit seeing you with Maddox?”
Natalie held a hand up. “Who’s Maddox?” Pausing for a moment, recognition lit up her face. “Not Maddox Sterling?”
Cringing, feeling the lecture incoming from our resident mom, I nodded.
Amy continued before I could explain, “Plus, there’s the fact that Cal has seen you naked.”
Natalie screeched, “What?”
Closing my eyes for a second before reopening them, I played it off. “Did I not mention that?”
“Hannah, what were you thinking?”
“It’s not what you think. Caveman Cal scared off Maddox, then dragged me literally kicking and screaming from the club. I passed out, and he took me home.” Turning to Amy, I commented, “You know, he didn’t need to change my clothes. Maybe you’re onto something there.”
Amy held her hands out wide. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. He’s into you, but he can’t have you.”
Cal was into me? I didn’t know what to do with that new information.
I mused, “We live in the same building. No one would have to know.”
Natalie warned, “Hannah. You can’t do this.”
“Why not?” I challenged.
“You’re messing with his career. There’s a reason he’s stayed away.”
“Come on. Dad is all bark and no bite. Plus, I heard hate sex is hot. Like, toe-curling, screaming-so-loud-people-think-someone-is-killing-you level hot.”
Amy snickered. “Yeah, just ask Lucy. Preston once broke down her bedroom door.”
All eyes turned to Lucy, but instead of spilling the juicy details, she promptly burst into tears. Without another word, we rushed to comfort her.
Smoothing her hair, Amy apologized, “I’m sorry, Lucy. I thought we were just having fun.”
Wiping at the tears that were only replaced with more, Lucy hiccupped. “It’s not that. This is all so romantic and tragic.”
“Wait, you’re crying over me and Cal? Lucy, you’ve been a mess all day. What’s really going on?” I asked.
