Page 3 of The Game

“With the two of you on our team, we’re set this year.” He smacks me in the upper arm.

“I hope so.” Last year, we were one game away from the big one. My entire focus over the off-season has been getting one step better. No distractions. That includes women.

Generally, I don’t date during the season, but at this point, it’s been well over a year since I’ve gotten laid. Even the lady giving out shower tokens at the truck stop would interest me at this point.

I rotate my shoulders and glare at him. The fucker is probably going home to make love to his smoking hot wife. What am I doing? Going home and eating chicken and broccoli that tastes like it’s made from cardboard. All the sacrifice had better be worth it.

“Do you want to come over tonight and watch game film?”

“Shit, man. I’m not barging in on your lady time in the middle of the week.” I shove the door of the locker room open with my elbow.

“It’s fine. Jenna is pregnant and dealing with morning sickness again. Let’s just say it’s not confined to the mornings, and I’m currently public enemy number one.”

“That’s awesome.” I pat him on the back.

“You’re only saying that because I’m not getting any either, right now.”

“You’re not wrong.” I grin and hate to admit I’m secretly glad someone else is sexually frustrated.

He shakes his head. “I don’t know why you don’t date during the season. When Jenna and I got together last year, I became a more controlled player.” The corridor is quiet as everyone else has left for the day.

“But you knew Jenna since you were kids. It wasn’t like you had to invest hours of your time getting to know her. Not to mention, she knew the score. A player’s life is not what the average citizen expects it to be. I’m here before dawn, and I don’t leave until after dark.”

“The right woman would understand.”

“Women think the life of dating a professional player is everyone screaming your name and partying. I haven’t gone to a party in two years.” The scent of cleaner invades my nose. Even the janitors are done for the night.

“You aren’t looking in the right places.” Tony stops in the middle of the hallway.

The image of Dani slams into my brain. She’s a gorgeous woman but doesn’t do anything to accentuate her femininity – athletic wear, pulled back hair, and no make-up.

Of course, she’s living in a man’s world. She doesn’t need to do anything to grab the attention of the opposite sex. Would she understand the life of a player? Why wouldn’t she? She’s a trainer for a football team, and her father was a professional player. If anyone would, it would be her.

Don’t be a dumbass. You have one goal for this year. Win the big one. After that, you can think about your dick.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come over tonight? Jenna’s making one of the recipes that Ashley, the new dietitian, proposed.”

I curl my lip. “I think I’ll pass.” I haven’t been brave enough to ask Ashley to provide me with any meal plans. Not that I cook. Sure, I can grill and steam some vegetables, but that’s about it. My sister cooks some, but she’s not a chef either.

He shrugs. “Your loss. Most of the stuff is good. You should have her go over her meal planning package with you. She comes up with individualized strategies for each of the players and their nutritional goals.” He frowns and glances inside the gym. “Damn, that new trainer is still here. She’s more of a workaholic than you are.”

“Yeah. She was here about thirty minutes after I got in.” My heart skips a beat. Dani’s wiping down the machine I used this morning. Her ass wiggles as she stretches and swipes the arm pads. Fuck. I tilt my head and watch every move.

As she steps back, her chest heaves from exertion. Not that she’s got enormous tits or anything, but my cock doesn’t seem to care at all.

“Dude.” He whistles. “That’s some dedication. I’ve heard her and the new nutritionist are girlfriends.”

“Oh.” I cough. Motherfucker. Of course, my dick would pick

the one woman who’s not into men to lust after. Holy hell. My radar’s off. Granted, she hadn’t flirted with me, which should have been a dead giveaway. I generally need to pull women off me.

“They both went to the university together and got hired the same day. If I remember right, Ashley told Jenna they live together.”

Dani glances over at the door and clutches her chest when she sees us staring at her. Tony grins and waves at her. Of course, he does. Always the charmer. Dani gives him a half-hearted wave and scurries out of view.

“I’ve got to go.” I shake my head and march down the hallway. Tony follows behind me a couple of steps.

From behind us, a door slams against the wall. “Gunner!”

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