Page 72 of Tempting the Player
“Yeah, it’s fine by me.” I wrap my fingers around the steering wheel and squeeze. The more tightly she becomes intertwined in my life, the harder it’s going to be when the job is over. But I can see how excited Flynn is, so I suck it up. “Prepared to be dazzled. Flynn’s one of their star players.”
His cheeks turn red, and he finally opens the door. “My friends are never going to believe me. I can’t wait to see their faces. Thanks, Jane. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye,” she calls after him.
He runs up to the front door and disappears inside.
“You really don’t have to come,” I say, regarding her seriously. “And I’ll talk to him about using you to show off to his friends. I’m sorry about that.”
“Are you kidding? I love it. I mean, yeah, it’s weird when guys my age do it, but for Flynn, it would be my honor.”
“Thank you for being so cool with him.”
“I like your brothers.” She shrugs it off like that statement is no big deal, but I know we’re a lot to take. “But speaking of Flynn going back to school, I don’t really need to stay anymore.”
I feel my brows rise. I should have expected it, but the disappointment of her leaving hits me hard.
When we get back to the house, the Bronco is in the driveway. Jane follows me inside, where Archer is pulling on a clean T-shirt as he walks out of the bathroom and Brogan is ironing a pair of jeans.
“What are you two doing home? And why does Archer look like he combed his hair?”
Brogan smirks at Archer, then sets down the iron and removes his jeans from the ironing board before he answers. “Party tonight at the football house.”
“Isn’t it a little early?” I glance at the clock on the microwave. It’s just after four.
“We have a team meeting first, then we’re going to The Hideout for a bit.”
“Is the party at Felix’s place?” Jane asks as she gathers her stuff on the dining room table.
“Yeah. Are you going?” he asks her.
“No.” She shakes her head. “But that explains why Dahlia just texted me to see what I’m doing tonight.”
“You should come,” Archer says, then looks at me. “You both should.”
“I’m exhausted.” She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She lifts her backpack onto one shoulder and then walks in front of me, stopping to pat me on the chest. “But you should make this guy go and force him to have fun. Send photos.” This time her smile seems more genuine. Her fingernails lightly scrape down my pecs as she removes her hand. “I better go. See you guys later. Thanks for letting me crash.”
The door closes behind her and my brothers look at me.
“She’s right, you know? You should come. You need a night out.” Brogan turns, not even waiting for my answer.
My gut reaction is to say no, but something stops me. “Maybe.”
They both hoot their surprise.
“Hell yeah. Really?” Archer asks. He’s practically beaming at me. “You aren’t fucking with me?”
“I’m not fucking with you.” I shake my head. “I’ll be right back.”
I take off after Jane, catching her as she’s starting her car. When she sees me, she rolls down the window. “Miss me already?”
“Don’t go.”
“What?” She laughs quietly as she studies me.
“I think you should keep staying here for a while longer. At least until we figure out who sent the email. No one outside of your friends and my brothers knows to find you here.”
Her chin tilts down as she regards me closer, and her long blonde hair falls forward into her face. “I can’t hide forever.”
