Page 55 of Playbook
“No,” I say quickly then take a big breath and exhale slowly. I get to the door just as another knock comes. I open it and find Brogan on the other side with one hand lifted in a fist.
He does the usual once-over in that slow sweep like he’s more curious than checking me out. His lips were already curved up in a smile, but now both corners inch higher. “Hey.”
“Hi.” My skin feels tight and itchy as we stare at each other, then I remember my manners. Stepping back, I open the door wider. “Do you want to come in?”
He nods as he moves forward. His gaze automatically scans the apartment, taking in the small living room and then my roommate standing in the kitchen. While he scopes out my apartment, I scope him out.
He’s in black athletic shorts and his jersey. It looks different without all the padding underneath, but his biceps still pull at the sleeves. He’s got a jacket and keys in one hand.
“What’s up, man?” Alec asks, giving Brogan a chin nod.
“You remember my roommate, Alec?” I ask.
“Of course.” Brogan’s smile turns into that usual playful smirk as he walks closer and offers his hand. “Nice to see you again.”
He and Alec shake hands and my roommate says, “You too.”
Brogan continues looking around the place, stepping from the kitchen into the living room. He walks over to a framed print of the Mavericks’ stadium. Alec’s, not mine.
“This is a great apartment.”
“Thanks.” Alec and I share an amused look. It’s nice, sure, but not what I’d expect Brogan Six to consider nice. It’s small and has a retro style with the exposed brick and original windows that are drafty in the winter. I’ve always loved the charm of this apartment, but it’s still surprising that he seems so enchanted with it.
“Should we get going?” I ask. I am wavering between wanting to hurry up and leave so we get this over with, and wanting to hide in my room and fake a sudden stomach bug.
“Yeah, uh, but first.” He extends his arm toward me. I thought he was holding a jacket earlier because it’s so big, but upon closer inspection it’s just a very large T-shirt. Even bigger than the one I’m wearing. No, not a shirt. A jersey. Oh my freaking go?—
“Is it okay?” Brogan asks. “I have to wear mine and I know some of the other guys’ girlfriends and wives are wearing matching jerseys.”
Matching jerseys? My ears ring and my face flames hot and I just know that if I looked up at Alec right now, he’d be grinning so big.
“Of course. That makes total sense,” I say in a voice that sounds nothing like my own. “Just, uh, give me two seconds.”
I head into my room and close the door, then lean my back against it. What in the hell have I gotten myself into?
SIXTEEN
The event spans the parking lot of the Mavericks’ stadium. Tents are set up along the front and people are everywhere.
Brogan leads me through a private entrance where we’re handed VIP lanyards. It’s weird seeing my name printed on the badge. Somehow that little detail makes it all seem too real.
My date doesn’t seem to notice that I’m in my head, freaking out. Brogan chatters away, pointing out people he knows, introducing me to some, waving to others. He’s well-liked, which isn’t all that surprising. He has some inside joke or camaraderie with everyone from the parking attendant to the coaches. And I feel all their questioning gazes on me like the force of a thousand suns.
But none of that prepared me for the moment we stepped into a group of his teammates.
“Six!” They yell in unison. A couple of them look familiar from the club or the bar, but all together they look so big and intimidating that it’shard to focus on any one for too long.
Each of the guys is wearing their jersey, showing off wide chests and thick arms. The closer we get, the smaller I feel.
The largest guy steps forward and I gulp as he bear-hugs Brogan, lifting him off the ground and shaking him like a ragdoll. The others laugh it off, so I guess he’s not going to die, but ouch. My bones hurt just watching the interaction. Brogan is six foot three, broad and muscular, and he’s being tossed around like he weighs nothing. It’s impressive really.
I catch one of his teammates staring at me with a curious expression on his face. It’s not disbelief exactly, but he does look surprised. I’m not sure if it’s because Brogan brought a girl or if it’s specifically because he brought someone like me who so clearly doesn’t fit in. The few other women in players’ jerseys have that look. Perfect hair, perfect bodies, perfect smile. I’m not insecure normally, but this is all just a lot.
“Okay. Okay. Down, boy.” Brogan’s voice is tight and he inhales deeply as his feet are returned to the ground. He sounds like he ran a mile…or had the air forced out of his lungs.
“You commanding me like I’m a dog, Six?” the giant asks with a lift of one brow. He has an easygoing smile, but I think he could crush Brogan’s head between his colossal hands if he wanted to.
Brogan obviously doesn’t value his life because he pats him on the head and says, “Good boy.”
