Page 40 of Comeback
“It was nothing.”
“It wasn’t nothing.”
He lifts one shoulder and lets it fall in a small shrug.
Laughter behind us makes my stare shift. Archer glances over his shoulder and takes in the scene then looks back at me.
“You don’t seem to be enjoying the win as much as your teammates,” I point out.
“I’m glad we won. It was a great game. I’m just sulking. I’ll get over it.”
I laugh at his honesty. “Why are you sulking?”
He takes a drink of his beer, and I wait, not sure if he’ll answer me or not.
“Last season I missed ten games due to injuries. I’m finally back, but things have changed on the team.”
“You mean the Graham guy?”
His brows rise in surprise.
“You’re a fan of his?” He steps closer, gaze locked on my mouth. Even though I know he’s just trying to follow theconversation, my body comes alive with him standing so close and so intently focused on my face.
“No. I’ve never even heard of him before tonight.” I don’t even remember seeing a Graham on the field tonight. Then again, I was pretty focused on another player. The one standing in front of me.
The bartender sets two shot glasses in front of us. “Fireball. From your friend.” He tips his head to the right. I follow the motion to Tripp at the other end who raises his glass to us.
Archer picks up one and holds it out to me. I take it, our fingers brushing and sending another rush of warmth through me. He grabs the other shot glass and holds it up.
“I’m not keeping up with Tripp tonight,” I say, in case he thinks this is the first shot of many. Ugh. No way I can handle that again so soon.
“Good choice.”
“Should we cheers to something?” I ask.
“How about…” He thinks, stare still heavy on me. “To a clean slate.”
“To a clean slate,” I say and clink my glass against his.
He waits until I raise the glass to my lips before he tosses his back. The cinnamon-flavored liquor burns and I cough, placing a hand to my chest.
He grins at me but waits until I’ve recovered to ask, “Are you alright?”
“Yeah.” I rub at my sternum. My chest aches slightly from last night still. “Little sore.”
His brows pinch together. “Did you go into the studio today?”
“No. I slept in. I need to get a respirator and maybe a couple air purifiers, and I didn’t have the time today.”
“A respirator? For what?”
“Oh, uh, the place is a little dirty.”
He raises one brow but doesn’t comment on that. “Sorry we didn’t get to watchThe Replacementstonight.”
He remembered.
“Celebrating with your team is important.”
