Page 66 of Playbook
Eventually we settle onto an outdoor loveseat. His teammate Cody is across from us, sitting with his legs wide and a beer bottle resting loosely in his grip. He looks bored, which seems impossible given the sheer amount of people and the incredible view up here. Other teammates come and go. Archer and his date stop by before getting into the hot tub.
“Are they a couple?” I ask Brogan, nodding my head toward them. I can’t get a read on them. He’s affectionate toward her, but she’s either playing it really cool or not into being all touchy in public.
“It’s new,” he says with a shrug. “I don’t think they’ve defined it, but they’re spending a lot of time together.”
I don’t push for more, but I enjoy watching the various couples around the rooftop. Some are in the pool and others take their turn in the hot tub. It’s big enough for at least ten people, but at one point I count fifteen. A few others are sitting around like us, talking or making out.
The heat of the day still lingers in the air, but darkness has brought a cool breeze that whips over the tall building. My hair is kept in place by the arm Brogan rests behind me. The fingers draped at my shoulder slowly stroke up and down my upper arm, and his thigh presses against mine. The logical and practical part of my brain realizes that we’re putting on a show, but my hormones do not. My stomach flutters and my pulse races and a shiver rolls down my spine.
He uses the hand at my shoulder to pull me into him. “Are you cold?”
“Just a little.” I’m too embarrassed to admit that the goosebumps don’t have anything to do with the temperature out here.
“Do you want to go back downstairs?”
“No way.” I cuddle closer to him. “I may never have this opportunity again and I want to enjoy it.”
He looks at me with humor in his gaze.
“What? It’s not every day a girl like me gets invited to a penthouse with a rooftop hot tub. It’s like an episode of some cheesy reality dating show, complete with champagne and other women who want to sleep with you.”
“Other women meaning you included?”
My cheeks heat. “Well, that’s what we want everyone to think, right?”
One corner of his mouth quirks up. “I have an idea.”
He removes his arm from around me. The body heat he was sharing, as well as the wind barrier his large body provided, leaves me cooler immediately when he stands. Now I really am wishing I’d worn something warmer.
“I’ll be right back,” he says before I can follow him.
I feel suddenly bashful sitting around with his teammates when he’s gone.
Cody offers me what I think is meant as a smile. He’s got this permanent look of displeasure on his face that makes the action seem painful. If Sierra could see me right now.
“Can I…” I start and then hesitate.
He arches a brow.
Fuck it.
“Can I take a photo with you? My sister is a huge fan.”
Slowly his mouth pulls into a real smile. “You want a photo withme?”
“Mhmm.” I nod. “Is that okay? I know you probably hate doing that. Especially at a party.”
“Yeah, but it’ll be worth it when I tell your boyfriend that you were fangirling over me.”
I can tell he’s teasing, but I still clarify. “For my sister.”
I quickly snap two pictures. He looks nicer in the photos than he does in real life. Sierra is going to freak out.
“Thanks,” I say again.
He nods in reply, then says, “Six seems more chill around you. I think I see why.”
“This is him chill?” I ask with a small laugh.
