Page 108 of Scoring the Player
“Did you see Bethany?” Lucas asks with a chuckle. “Girl is something else.”
I grind my teeth. “Yeah.”
“I wonder if she’s going to wipe off your number before she fucks Armstrong,” Brogan says and turns his head to watch her across the yard. “There is no way I’d hook up with a chick wearing some other guy’s number. No freaking way.”
My ex showed up to the game with my jersey number painted on her face. She tried to get my attention throughout the game, screaming and cheering for me from the front row, and then again after by showing up in the parking lot wanting to help me celebrate the win (and by celebrate, I mean sex), but when I reiterated that I wasn’t interested, she decided to throw herself at the nearest guy.
She keeps looking over at me like she expects me to stomp over to her all jealous and pissed off. Why can’t she get it through her head that I don’t care anymore?
“Are you going to say something to her?” Archer asks.
I shake my head. I’m annoyed with Bethany, but I’m done putting any energy into thinking about her. Besides, I might be tired of her games, but Armstrong has to know the score by now. If he wants to be her plaything, he can be my guest.
“Is Dahlia coming?” Brogan asks.
“No, she’s still in LA.” She comes back tomorrow, but that feels like an eternity to wait. I fucking miss her. If I had any doubt about my feelings before this week, they’d be gone now. This isn’t some casual hookup that I don’t want to end.
“Too bad. I was hoping to recruit her for flip cup.” Brogan tips back his beer and finishes it. “Anyone wanna play?”
“Why not,” Lucas says.
Archer nods.
“Sure.” I follow my buddies over to a table where a group is already in the middle of a game.
I fill my cup with beer while we wait for them to finish, then we divide up to play with equal teams. It’s just my shitty luck that Bethany and Armstrong have the same idea. Or maybe it isn’t luck at all. Bethany comes to stand next to me. I look across the table to Lucas. “Switch me?”
“Yep.” He comes around without a second thought. I don’t miss the scoff from Bethany.
Archer kicks things off for my team. I’m fourth in line and only half paying attention for my turn. My phone is burning a hole in my pocket. I think I feel it vibrate but know it’s my mind playing tricks on me. Longest week ever. But we won the game today. I played well and proved to myself that I can keep playing great and care about someone else. Now I just need my girl to get back in town so I can prove it to her.
Archer goes, then Brogan. A chick I don’t know is between us. As she chugs, I push out all the distractions and get ready.
When she finishes, I bring the cup to my mouth. The beer hits my lips at the same time a soft voice from behind me asks, “Can I play?”
That voice has my heart racing. I spin around, the game completely forgotten.
She smiles at me, and I think I forget to breathe for a few seconds. Fuck, I missed her.
“Dahlia.” It’s the only word I can get out.
“What the hell?” Brogan asks, then his voice lowers. “The ringer is here! Dahlia’s on my team.”
“We’re playing a game here,” Bethany calls from across the table. I’m vaguely aware that everything around us has stopped with Dahlia’s interruption. Like I freaking care.
I ignore everyone and step forward to pull her into my arms. “Fuck. I’m so happy to see you. What are you doing here? I thought you had the concert tonight.”
“I did,” she says against my chest. “We left during the final song.”
“You came back early? Why?” I pull back to look down at her face.
“It was the craziest day. Eddie loved the pants. I met his entire wardrobe team, then I got to work backstage with them during the concert.”
My chest squeezes at the way her face lights up talking about it. “I knew he’d love them.”
“It was all so amazing. I dressed a rock star and hung out with him and a famous actress. I got to see and do so many incredible things. I even flew home in a private jet.” Her expression is one of awe and disbelief.
“Brag much?” Bethany mutters.
