Page 34 of Force Play
That look of desire and want was directed atme.
And if I hadn’t said no, I’m wondering if he might have actually jumped at the opportunity…
I call and talk to my parents while Ari is still on the phone before I grab another cup of coffee, load it up with peppermint creamer, and flip through Netflix before I find a random Christmas movie to throw on.
I’m not really filled with Christmas spirit. I may be over traveling by the end of the season, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish I could see my parents right now. I talk to them as often asI can, but with how busy I am with my job, I don’t really get out to California to visit.
I miss them.
Maybe I’ll actually go to Spain with them next Christmas.
I curl up under a blanket on the sofa and get lost in the movie for a bit before Ari comes stalking in, plopping down on the chair and sinking back against it.
“Everything okay?” I ask, pausing the movie.
“Just fucking peachy,” he bites.
I glare at him. “Thought you wanted to be amicable, Morgan. What the hell?”
Ari takes a breath and closes his eyes. “You’re right. Sorry. I shouldn’t have taken that out on you.”
I relax a bit. “Thank you. Anything you want to talk about?”
“Not really,” he says, not opening his eyes.
We sit in silence for a few more moments before I start the movie back up again. I’m trying to follow along, but I keep finding myself glancing at Ari. He’s clearly upset about something, and he honestly looks miserable.
He may not realize it, but he needs to talk.
And I suppose I can take charge of that.
I pause the movie again before looking over at Ari. “It was Logan.”
He finally opens his eyes, staring at me with a furrowed brow. “What was Logan?”
“The other day,” I sigh. “When I came back from lunch with the girls and went off on you. I ran into Logan while we were out, and that’s why I was so angry when I came back.”
Ari sits up now, and I can see irritation wash over him. “What the hell did he do?”
I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. “Insinuated that the only reason I’m the favorite trainer is because the team wants to fuck me.”
“He saidwhat?”Ari looks furious. “The guys like you because you’re a good trainer, not because they want to take your pants off.”
“That’s what I told him. He’s just trying to undermine me and get under my skin. Dave is retiring after next season, and Logan and I are both gunning for the Head Trainer position. He hates the fact that he might not get it over a woman.”
“Misogynistic fucking prick,” he mutters under his breath.
“Didn’t realize you were such a feminist,” I smirk.
Ari finally cracks a small smile. “Eomma taught me well.”
“Eomma?”
“Korean for mom. That’s what I call her.”
“Is your mom the one you were on the phone with?” I ask, seeing if he wants to open up now.
Ari looks at me for a few moments before letting out a deep breath. “No. That was my dad who called.”
