Page 12 of The Game

Chapter Seven

Dani

“I better go find Ashley.” For the love of God, I’m pathetic. I gawked at him like a deranged lunatic and gushed about babies. He’s going to run for the hills.

Gunner Sinclair doesn’t want to have sex with me. Or have babies with me. I’m Dani Vaughn. His personal trainer. Shit. I’m not even his personal trainer. I’m one of the junior staff he puts up with.

“Wait.”

“Okay.” My breath catches in my throat.

“You don’t like these things.” He waves his hand around in a circle toward the crowd gathered in the restaurant. “Right?”

“Not at all.” I shudder.

“I don’t either. Why don’t we hang out together and avoid all the pretending to enjoy small talk?”

“Sounds like a win-win.” It does sound like more fun to chill with Gunner than being paraded around by Ashley. I’m so not into being one of her accessories or her pathetic sidekick.

“There’s a table over there.” He points to a small booth on the other side of the room.

It’s only big enough for two, so everyone else is gathered around larger table arrangements. “It’s perfect. Lead the way.”

Once we’re settled, my knee brushes against his and I about jump out of the booth. “Excuse me.” I feel the heat rising across my cheeks.

“No worries.” He leans back in the seat, crosses his arms over his chest, and stretches his legs in front of him.

Whoa. That’s a lot of man. My eyes take everything in at once. Lord, I need a portable air conditioner or a glass of iced tea. I don’t move a muscle in an attempt to avoid bumping into him – again.

The waitress stops and asks for our order. I don’t normally drink, but what harm could come from one beer? After we tell her what we want, she disappears.

“What was it like growing up with Daniel Vaughn as a father?” Gunner asks.

“My dad was great. He’s larger than life. He and my mom are still together and live here in town.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, over on Fairview Ridge.”

“I had no idea.” He sits up, places his elbows on the table, and clasps his hands in front of him.

“If you want to meet him sometime, I’m sure he’d be happy to come in.” I glance up as the waitress brings back our drinks. She drops mine to the table with a thud.

I grab my beer, and she hands Gunner his. Nothing like special treatment for the professional athlete.

After she leaves, Gunner nods. “I would love to meet him. I watched all his games as a kid.”

“I was able to go to a bunch of his games when I was young. I loved football.” I flush and study the table. The surface is scuffed from years of use. “I played flag football until I was twelve.”

“We should play a game sometime.”

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. “I played quarterback as well, and there’s no way I could compete with you.”

“I’ll take the compliment, but I’m sure you could hold your own.”

“Thanks.” I press my lips together. Does he think I’m weird? God, I hope not. “It sucked when I got older and couldn’t play anymore.”

“I bet.” He cocks his head to the side. “What did you do after that?”

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