Page 26 of The Game

“There you are.” An older woman puts her arm around Gunner’s waist, and he freezes.

“Hi, Mom.”

His mom. My entire body stills, and I forget to breathe. Oh, my freaking God. Please, tell me she wasn’t listening to our conversation. I twist to face her, and she beams at us like she heard every fucking word. Oh, hell.

Chapter Fourteen

Gunner

“Hello, Mom.” The ultimate cock block in a hunter green dress. I release Dani and stand back a few inches. Something about sex and my mother don’t go hand and hand.

“Gunner.” She beams and then shifts her attention to Dani. “Obviously, I’m Gunner’s mother, Susan.”

“Nice to meet you, Susan. I’m Dani Vaughn.”

“Have you known Gunner long?”

Dani shifts from foot to foot. “Not long. I started as a personal trainer for the team in June.”

“Oh, how nice.” She glares at me. “Gunner is always so busy studying and practicing he doesn’t have time for a relationship.”

“Mom.” I’m not sure I’m ready for where this conversation is going. I like Dani. A lot. But now is not the best time to date.

Dani licks her lips, and my brain freezes as I watch the tip of her pink tongue move along with her mouth. Why isn’t now a good time? Mom has an excellent point.

“Hush. I’m speaking with Dani.”

“Yes, ma’am.” No one contradicts my mother in public. She’s sweet as pie until she’s not. Then, she’s a Pitbull.

“As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. Since you both work together, you’ll have more opportunities to see each other, even when he’s working. That seems like a perfect pairing. Don’t you think?”

“Well…” Dani’s gaze jumps to mine, and my heart skips a beat. Her eyes are huge as if she’s hoping I can save her from my mother’s interrogation.

Could she be ‘the one’? If she is, I don’t want to push her away or wait too long. Hell, she’s not going to be single long.

Every muscle in my body tenses. What if one of the other guys takes an interest in her? No one else is stupid enough to tell her to wait until February. If I like her, I need to stake my claim now.

“Mom.” I place my arm around Dani and pull her to my side. “Don’t push it. We just started dating.”

“Dating?” Her eyelids raise as she glances between us.

“Yes.” I smile down at Dani. “Right?”

Slowly, she nods. “Yes.”

My mom folds her arms together over her chest. “You aren’t just saying that, so I don’t set you up with Tiana, are you?”

“No.” I shake my head, but my eyes never leave Dani’s. I cock an eyebrow. “Do you want to head to the reception?”

“Sure.”

I’m not positive if she’s saying yes to get away from the conversation, or if she really wants to, but I don’t give her a chance to explain. It’s been too long since I’ve touched her. The sooner we get to the reception, the quicker I can hold her in my arms.

“Oh, this is so sweet. Have fun.” My mom coos as I grab Dani’s hand and wrap my fingers through hers.

The hotel is only a mile away from the church, and everyone was milling around in the parking lot, so we didn’t have an opportunity to further explore our attraction. With the other guests begging for my attention, I’m getting frustrated with being close to Dani and not being able to touch her.

When the latest distant relative claps my back and moves on, I glance down at Dani. “Do you want to dance?”

---