Page 99 of Force Play
“Just…” I stammer, waving my hand dismissively. “You know.”
I hope they do know because I sure as hell don’t.
Thereisn’tanything going on between us.
We’re roommates, and we have sex.
That’s it.
It’s nothing more.
“Of course,” Lane chuckles. “You and Lucia are justfriends.”
“I don’t even know if we’re friends,” I admit. “We’re just… roommates.”
“Well,” Josh says. “Why don’t you invite your ‘just roommate’ to come out to Tipsy Turtle with us tonight? Skip is giving us the weekend off.”
“Yeah, I’ll text her when we get back to the clubhouse,” I shrug, pretending to be nonchalant.
But I don’t feel nonchalant at all.
I’m… excited?
I might actually be excited about inviting Lucia out with us tonight.
Maybe they’re right; maybe Ihavemissed her this week.
Fuck.
Why does Lucia always have to look so fucking good when we’re out?
I’ve had to quietly avert my gaze for two years just to avoid staring at her.
We get to Tipsy Turtle before she does, and when she does get here, I have to keep from gawking at her because I don’t want any shit from the guys.
She’s in a pair of skin-tight ripped jeans, an off-shoulder light brown long-sleeve top that shows off the cleavage I love so much, and a pair of heeled sandals. Combine all of that with the long, black hair flowing around her shoulders, and she’s already turned quite a few heads as she walks to our table.
Those fuckers can all look the other way.
“Hey, guys,” Lucia smiles as she takes the chair next to me. I catch a whiff of her floral perfume and have to keep from trying to devour her right here. “Sorry I haven’t really seen you this week.”
“You been busy?” Josh asks her.
“Stupidly busy,” she sighs. “I’m mentoring both of our new guys because Logan can’t be bothered to help them. I created an injury prevention plan for Rivas. All that on top of just being a trainer. Glad you guys are off for the weekend because now that means I am, too, and I could use the break.”
I signal to the bartender for two more of the beers I’m drinking. Mine’s almost done, and it sounds like Luc could use one.
I grab them a moment later and pop the one down in front of my roommate. “Cheers to the weekend.”
Lucia looks at me and smiles softly. “Thanks, Ari.”
Cole tampers down a grin. “You know Lucia drinks beer?”
“Yeah,” I reply. “We’ve all been going out together for two years now. I know what she drinks.”
“Anyway,” Lucia says, changing the subject. “How’s training been going?”
“Exhausting,” Lane groans. “It’s been hot as hell the past couple of days.”
