Page 41 of Comeback
“Is that what I’m doing?”
“Well, no, not currently, but you could be.” I tip my head toward the table of his teammates and then take a step. He hesitates for a second before following me, though not all that excitedly.
We take seats at the end beside Brogan and London, but they’re in conversation with another couple so it feels like it’s just me and Archer.
Something about sitting here with him makes my pulse kick up a notch. Which is silly considering I was in his bedroom last night.
The neon bar lights dance across his face as he smiles at me. “Am I celebrating now?”
“You’re getting warmer. I think—” I start, but Archer reaches over to my chair and drags me closer.
“Sorry. I couldn’t see your lips as well with you so far away. The lighting in here isn’t great.”
My heart rate speeds up.“Oh. Yeah, of course.”
I swallow thickly as our knees bump.
“You were saying?” he prompts.
Right. I was.“I think you might need to take a few more shots with Tripp for it to really be a celebration. At least that’s how I did it.”
“I think I’d rather sit here and slowly drink my beer and?—”
“Sulk?”
He grins and shakes his head slowly side to side. “And talk to you.”
12
ARCHER
I wasn’t looking forward to coming to the bar tonight, but hanging out with Sabrina has been the best part of my day.
The game today didn’t go how I wanted. Of course I’m happy the team won, but my contribution was so minimal, I don’t even feel like I can celebrate.
I didn’t expect to come in this season after spending most of last year on the sideline and have Coach rearrange all the plays for me, but I hoped that my efforts in practice and early games would show everyone what I’m capable of on the football field.
And if it had to be anyone playing well, why does it have to be Graham? Most of the team can’t stand the guy, but no one is going to argue with the numbers. He’s doing more for the team than I am, and I hate that so fucking much.
“Hey, I have an idea,” I say when we fall quiet. Everyone around us is wrapped up in their own conversations and not paying us any attention.
“Okay. Let’s hear it.”
“Let’s go see the studio.”
“What?” The surprise of my suggestion registers on her face.
“I don’t really want to be here, but I’m not ready to go home yet. And I’m curious.”
“It isn’t much to look at yet,”she warns me.
“I don’t care. I still want to see it.”
She studies me closely like she’s waiting for me to change my mind.
“What about Brogan and London?”she asks.
“They’ll be heading out soon anyway.”
