Page 43 of Overtime
I give him a deadpan look because I don’t know why I’ve suddenly landed in Westfield’s sights. “Because I’m a quarterback and she’s an internationally renowned photographer. We’re both already married—to our jobs.”
He gives me a skeptical look.
“When are you planning to get married? Or are we just waiting on a woman who can tolerate you for more than a night?”
“Don’t start. Xander already has.”
“I bet he has.” I laugh. “Before you know it you two are gonna have kids in the same preschool and be going on family vacations to the beach together. I’m gonna laugh so damn hard that I’m the last one standing.”
“We’ll see about that. And don’t scare me with that shit, all right? It already scares me he’s all in on it. I was all about seeing the two of them get together, but now he’s got little hearts in his eyes wherever he goes. It’s fucking frightening, honestly. If I lose my mind like that too… fuck. Something’s seriously wrong in the world.”
“Or maybe you’ve just finally grown the hell up.”
“I’m as grown as I want to be now.”
“The non-stop parties, lavish spending, flowing liquor, revolving door of women. That’s maturity?”
“I work really fucking hard every week. I deserve some downtime.”
“If that’s what we’re calling it now.”
“I’m serious though. I know a couple of places that are fun. You could try making an effort to come to my parties instead of avoiding them like the plague.”
“They just seem like places to get into trouble.”
“You must like trouble deep down, or you wouldn’t be obsessing over her.”
“I’m not obsessing,” I grump. It’s a lie. I’m definitely obsessing. She’s on my mind every waking hour and haunting my dreams too. I’ve actively tried to give myself a cooling-off period the last few days since the photo session at my house because I’m in way over my head with her.
“What’s he obsessing about now? Jones not being able to hold the line during practice?” Ben asks when he overhears part of the conversation.
“A woman and not the game for once,” Tobias answers.
“Well that could be good for him.” Ben grins at me as he sits down to stretch with us.
“Don’t start,” I grumble, and they both laugh.
* * *
When we’reout of practice I’m anxious to go see her. I haven’t since we got back from out of town and while I think there’s an unwritten rule that would keep her and Tobias from doing anything, the idea of the two of them alone together while he gets naked isn’t my favorite. He’s more her type than I am, and they’re closer in age. Add in their views on life, tattoos, people, parties, sex, and both of their outgoing personalities, it seems like the recipe for the perfect no strings hookup. I can feel the hint of jealousy creep up my spine just thinking about it.
There’s no reason I can’t go and visit her at the studio though. Claim I want to see what it’s like to make me more comfortable when I have to go under the lights. God knows I’ve already seen a naked Tobias in and out of the locker room more times than I can count. So maybe I’d just surprise her, claiming I want to get dinner with her and check out the studio. It’s true after all. I pull up the text message where she gave me the address and put it in my GPS, hoping that it’s a good surprise and not a bad one for both of us.
When I get there and knock on the door, it’s Harper’s friend, Scarlett, who answers looking surprised and flustered to see me on the other side of it.
“Colton St. George,” she blurts out.
“Scarlett—I don’t know your last name,” I counter, smiling at her because this is a reaction I’m not entirely unused to getting from people. She’s technically met me before from across a room with brief introductions, but never actually spoken to me face-to-face.
“Edgar.”
I raise a brow.
“That’s my last name. Sorry, you don’t care. I assume you’re here to see Tobias?”
“Joss actually.”
“They’re in the studio taking pictures. I’m helping out until Harper gets here. You want me to ask if it’s okay if you go in?”
