Page 118 of Play of Love
“Got to keep up my strength. Who knows where the day will take me?” He gave me a sly look.
“Okay, Scott. To each their own.” I raised my brows at him.
“How’s your head?”
“The pain is going.” Thankfully. I didn’t want a repeat of yesterday where I’d taken tablets in time to prevent a full-blown migraine, but it was still bad. I thought I was going to have to suffer through the same today.
“Good.” He straightened up. “So, do you think we could start our re-acquaintance again? Maybe you could do it without the scowl this time?”
I looked at him, stared straight into his eyes that flickered with interest. I decided that I could. The past was exactly that, and we were here for Margo and Cole’s wedding. Chances were I’d never see much of Scott again after this anyway with the exception of his ever-growing popularity with magazines and top brands. I’d seen the Calvin Klein ad on the billboard on the way here and pretended I didn’t.
It would have been easy to make some wisecrack about it if he didn’t look so damn hot on the billboard in just his underwear, stretched out on the white sand of some exotic beach. Tattoos I’d never seen before were on display. They were on the curve of his waist and looked like they continued across his back. And then there was all that muscle. Ripples of it that could make anyone lose their mind. I’d always been a sucker for a man with muscle, and I loved tattoos
“How are you?” I decided to say with a pleasant smile.
“I’m good. Preparing for the next season.”
“Congratulations on winning the Super Bowl.”
“Thank you.”
As much as I’d stopped keeping up with football news, I knew that. Margo had told me, and the Gladiators were all over the news for weeks. It was kind of something I couldn’t avoid, just like the numerous magazine articles that popped up afterward. I’d seen one too many of him with his host of women. Some of the pictures taken were so outlandish and unreal, scandalous, even. I was just grateful to not be a part of that wild lifestyle anymore. Or, rather, trying to fit somewhere where I didn’t belong because I was trying to make sure everyone knew Scott was with me. It was exhausting.
“What do you predict for this season?”
“We do our best.”
“I guess you’re swamped with promos till then.”
He shook his head. “Not me. I have about three more. Then I’m off to camp to coach for three weeks before training starts.”
“Coach?” I couldn’t imagine him coaching. He’d always loved playing.
“Yeah. Myself and two of the other guys set up a free summer camp for inner-city kids. Basically, kids whose parents’ aren’t able to afford training. We’ll give them a taste of what football is like, and, if it’s successful, I’ll do it every year.” All I could do is look at him. The Scott I knew would never have thought of doing something so nice.
“Don’t look so surprised,” he laughed.
“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s just I never imagined you doing something like that.”
“Well, I am. It’s a good thing to do. How about you? I’m sure you have more to add about work. Margo’s told me a lot.”
“I’m enjoying it.” I was vice president of Black Inc, a prestigious advertising company that was only up-and-coming when I first joined. Bradley, the owner and C.E.O, gave me the chance to use my creativity to work wonders. I was one of those people who didn’t quite know what to do with myself after college. I had a business degree with a minor in English. I didn’t exactly use what I learned in my job, but it helped, and I was happy. “It keeps me busy, and I look forward to going in each day. I definitely found my niche.”
“Cool. Looks like we’re both doing good things.”
The waitress came with my pancakes and, boy, did they look tasty.
“Thank you,” I told her before she sauntered away.
“While we’re being friendly, is there any chance you’ll tell me what’s up with Margo?” He looked worried, and since Margo did say she wished she could have her big brother there with her, I thought I could shed some light on what was going on.
“She found out Cole did something and she got upset then decided to do a runner. When she changed her mind, and tried to come back, she realized her bags were missing. Hence, the being stuck in Phoenix with nothing to her name but a few coins for phone calls.”
“Shit.” He sat back against the padded leather of the seat and ran his hands through his spiky black hair. He then leaned forward and rested his hands on the table. “Did Cole cheat on her? Is that what happened?”
Cheat?I didn’t want to say ‘yes’ to that.
“I wouldn’t say he cheated. Cole thought they were broken up.”
