Page 103 of Scoring the Player
“Felix?” Jane asks.
“How’d you know?”
“You’re smiling like you only smile for him.”
I run my finger along his message. “Is it weird to say I’m a little disappointed that I’m here this weekend and not watching a college football game?”
She laughs. “Yes.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I am so thankful for the opportunity.”
“I know, babe,” she says with a reassuring smile. “Does that mean you’ve decided to officially be hottie QB’s girlfriend?”
Eddie walks onto stage. People around us clap and yell. He lifts one hand, the other is holding a bottle of water.
I tuck my phone away for now. “One life-altering thing at a time.”
The concert is amazing. Beverly returns for us, and Jane and I follow her backstage, down a winding hall before she stops in front of a room and motions for us to go ahead.
My stomach has been in one giant knot since he walked onto the stage earlier, but my mouth goes dry and my face gets hot as I step in and see Eddie sitting on a brown leather couch.
Eddie Dillon is exactly how he seems in videos and pictures. Handsome, suave, larger than life. I’m not attracted to him in the same way I am Felix, but he still makes me incredibly nervous.
Eddie stands and flashes a warm smile. His hair is damp, and he smells like soap.
“Dahlia.” He hugs me, a quick one arm around the neck embrace. “How are you?”
“Hi. Good.” I move to the side and look to Jane. “Eddie, this is my friend, Jane.”
“Jane.” His brows pinch together as he extends a hand for her to shake. “Did you come with Dahlia last trip?”
“No. That was Violet,” she says. “I’m one of the other roommates.”
“Ah,” he says, nodding.
Jane doesn’t miss a beat. “You were incredible out there.”
“Right,” I add. “So good.”
“Thanks.” He turns his attention back to me. “You’re here. I’m so stoked to see what you have for me.”
“I gave Beverly the pants, but I have photos on my phone. I’m really happy with how the pants came out, but if you don’t love them, I will totally understand. And I brought my sketchbook with a few more ideas I’ve been working on.” I pat my purse where I have it stowed.
Jane nudges me lightly with her elbow.
“Sorry, I’m rambling,” I say, feeling the heat in my face. “I’m really excited about this opportunity.”
He takes a seat and leans back and hits me with one of his trademark sexy grins. It doesn’t flip my stomach, like I’m sure it does most girls, but it reminds me of Felix and that settles me a little. If he were here, he’d tell me to take a breath and remind me that I’m amazing.
“I can’t wait to see it all,” he says, motioning to the chairs next to the couch. “Sit. Sit. Let’s catch up and you can wow me with fashion tomorrow.”
I relax, knowing I have another day before he sees my work. The three of us sit and chat. It doesn’t take long to catch up, since Eddie and I aren’t exactly BFFs, but Jane and I ask about his tour and then soak in every detail he offers up. His life is so interesting, but I get the feeling it’s lonely at times too. He tells us the travel is amazing but brutal. That he often forgets what city he’s in and that he hasn’t seen his family in months.
“What about you?” He takes a long drink of water. “How’s college life? I thought about college, but school was never really my thing.”
“It’s good,” I say. “And classes are only a small part of it.”
“Frat parties and beer bongs then?” He quirks a brow.
