Page 22 of Run the Play
“Ready?” Rowan asks me, pulling my attention back to her.
“Let’s do it.” She goes on to beat me once more and declares herself the winner. She shimmies a little dance where she’s sitting, and the smile on her face, not gonna lie, it does something to me. It warms my chest, and I don’t even care that I lost. Seeing her light up like this is better than the win.
We switch games and partners, and that’s how we spend the rest of our night. Playing games bought for preschoolers. Who would have thought we’d have this much fun pretending to be kids again? It’s not the game or the age but the company. This ismy family, and spending time with them, no matter what we’re doing, is always a good time. It helps that the lovely Rowan has joined our crew. She doesn’t react to my flirting, but that’s okay. She’s one of us. So what if touching her makes my heart race, and I get lost in those big blue eyes of hers? It’s just a little… crush? Fondness? Whatever it is, this, too, shall pass.
Chapter Six
Rowan
It’s Memorial Day weekend, and the gang’s all here celebrating at Knox and Corie’s place. Corie and Sloane have officially adopted me into their friendship group, and I love them for it.
I left Los Angeles scared to be on my own, but I knew I had to get away. The job with the Rampage was a long shot, but it brought me to Nashville. To this amazing group of humans who I’ve come to adore.
“What are they yacking about over there?” Sloane asks.
We’re currently sitting under the warm spring sun. The pool water is heated, but we’ve not been swimming yet. Instead, we’re soaking up some much-needed Vitamin D.
“They’re killing my mood,” she grumbles.
“What mood is that?” I ask her.
“Calm. Zen,” Sloane says, sounding half asleep.
“I think they’re talking about football. Knox mentioned a trade earlier, so if I had to guess, they’re gossiping about that,” Corie explains.
“And they say women are bad,” Sloane scoffs. “Those five are worse than my grandma and her quilt-making buddies. They gossip all the time.”
Corie and I laugh. She’s not wrong. I’ve been around them for a while now, and I've noticed that the guys like to gossip. Landry seems to lead the pack, with Reid coming in at a close second.
“They get it from Harry,” Corie adds. “That man and my brother know everything about everything. It’s annoying.”
“Yeah, but they didn’t know about you and Knox.” I peek open my eyes just in time to see Sloane, with her eyes closed, holding her fist out to Corie to bump knuckles.
“They did not. Knox and I should get a medal or something for being able to dupe them.” Corie snickers.
“You definitely snuck one past them,” Sloane agrees. “Their bellies are full. They should be napping or something,” Sloane says when the guys' laughter carries over to us.
“Maybe we should go see what the fuss is about?” I suggest.
“You know what? We might as well,” Corie says. “This one is going to keep complaining about the noise, and I’ll admit I’m nosy.” She chuckles.
“You two go on. Tell them to keep it down, would ya?” Sloane asks. “I’ve earned this downtime. This last month of school has been brutal. The kids were over it, and to be honest, so was I. I know that sounds bad, but you try wrangling twenty rambunctious four-year-olds every day. It’s… a lot,” she says with a heavy exhale.
“You sit right there and soak up the sun,” Corie tells her. She nods to me, and I stand with her as we walk to the other side of the pool, where the guys are sitting under a huge umbrella.
There’s one open seat next to Landry, and Knox pulls Corie onto his lap, making the decision easy.
“What’s going on over here?” Corie asks.
“Just talking about a trade that was announced today,” Knox tells her.
“Yeah? Good or bad?” she asks.
“None of us know him, but he’s got a rep for being an asshole. I guess he requested to come to Nashville. No one knows why, but he took a pay cut to be here,” Knox explains.
“Because you’re the league champs. Of course he wants to play with a winning team. Who wouldn’t?” Corie replies.
“Who is it?” I ask. As an assistant physical therapist for the Rampage, I’ll be working with him, too, and call me nosy as well. I’m definitely curious. Also, there is this slight shimmer of worry that it might behim. Even though I know he loves Los Angeles and the fame he has there.
