Page 79 of Scoring the Player
“You’re a good captain,” she says.
“Thanks.” Her compliment hits me unexpectedly. She isn’t the first to say it, but I believe her in a way I’ve brushed off the same words from others.
We’re almost back to my car when she says, “I got some news today. Eddie liked the pants. And he wants to fly me out and meet with the wardrobe people for the tour.”
I stop in my tracks and stare at her. “You waited all night to tell me this?”
Her shoulders lift in a small shrug. “I was waiting for the right moment.”
“Dahlia, that’s incredible.” I wrap her up in my arms. “We could have celebrated.”
“No, really. It’s okay. I knew you’d be busy tonight.”
“I could have at least taken you to dinner or something.”
“This was perfect. I got to see another side of you.” When I don’t say anything, she adds, “It must be hard trying to keep so many people in line while taking care of yourself and what you need to do to prepare for a game.”
“It’s actually easier having something else to do, other people to worry about instead of myself.”
She smiles. “I guess I get that. Golf is different. We cheer each other on, but we don’t look out for each other the same way that you do for your team.”
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing you have me then.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I’m always looking out for you. Whatever you need, hot stuff.”
“Whatever I need?” She leans forward, lips hovering over mine.
My chest tightens as her lashes flutter closed and she kisses me. Her voice is breathy when she speaks again. “I think I could get used to that.”
Me too. Fuck. Me too.
28
DAHLIA
On Saturday afternoon,the girls and I are having a perfect chill day. I had practice this morning, then when I got home, the four of us went to brunch, followed by a yoga class at the student rec center, and after we have all been working on homework spread out in the living room while watching movies and just hanging out.
“This is so nice,” Jane says. She’s sitting, legs crossed, in the middle of the floor in front of the TV. “I need all your boyfriends to leave town on the same weekend more often.”
“Or you just need to start dating a basketball player.” Vi grins. “Eh?”
“Or a hockey player,” Daisy chips in.
They all look at me.
“What?”
Laughing, Vi asks, “How are things with your football player?”
“Good.” I focus entirely too hard on the sketch in front of me. “We’re just…you know, keeping things casual. It’s fun.”
I thought I loved being able to talk about boys the same way they all do, but being in the hot seat right now is excruciating. Technically, I think we’re still fake dating, but we’re making out for real. I started to ask him last night, but he seemed really stressed about the game, and it didn’t seem like the right time to bring it up.
Speaking of the game, I pick up my phone and check the score. A proud smile breaks out wide on my face. “They won the game.”
“That is not the face of a casual anything.” Daisy uses her pencil to point at me. “But I love him for you.”
