Page 47 of The Game

Gunner

As I weave through traffic, I honk at a van. The vehicle is driving in the passing lane but at several miles an hour under the speed limit. On my right are two semis, and on my left are a row of cars and a pickup. “Pull the fuck over into the slow lane.”

I push the phone button on my steering wheel. “Call, Veronica.”

“Yes, sir.” My virtual assistant says, and I’m rewarded with the sound of pushing buttons and the ringing of the phone. At least one thing has gone right today.

“What?” My sister’s voice sounds shrill as it pipes over my stereo system.

I stab the volume button and turn down the sound. “I need you to bring my bag to the stadium.”

“Why?”

For fuck’s sake, why do you think? I wave at the man in the van, who’s finally moved over to the right lane. He nods, and I return my attention to the road and my frustrating sister. “Because I’m late, and I don’t have time to go home.”

“Why are you late?”

“Veronica, just get my bag and meet me there.” My arms ache from the tension. I wiggle my fingers and try to pry my death grip off the steering wheel. There are still two hours before the game, but I need to be on the field an hour before kickoff to play.

I’ve got GPS on my cell and my vehicle. Someone would have come out to get me if I was too late. There are too many safeguards in place for anyone to miss the game. Granted, I’m usually the first one in the locker room, so I’m late as fuck – for me.

“Did you have a good night?” Her cheerful voice grates on my nerves and I want to end the connection. Except, I need my uniform and if I piss her off, she’s likely not to bring it.

I’ll end up with someone else’s too tight football pants and a jersey with hastily ironed on numbers. I’m superstitious enough to want my own gear. “No. I didn’t have a good night.” I had a fantastic night, but a shit-ass morning, which evens it out to – everything sucks.

How did I miss the signs Dani wasn’t interested in something long-term? Fuck. I’m a total dumbass. This is why I don’t date during the season. Son of a bitch. I hit the steering wheel with the base of my hand. It’s why I don’t date at all.

“Shit. That blows. I’m sorry, Gunner. I could tell you liked her.”

“Yeah. It’s okay. Thanks.” I rotate my head and flip on the blinker for the stadium exit. The early tailgaters are already lined up in the parking lot. The smoke from their grills fill the air with the sweet scent of BBQ. My stomach growls.

“Gunner?”

“For the love of God, Veronica, leave it be. I don’t have time for this shit.” I want to throw something and smash it, but that will have to wait for the game.

A smile slides up my face. The other team has another thing coming today. For once, I’m in the mood to inflict some damage.

“Fine,” she sighs. “I thought she was ‘the one.’

You and me both. My heart aches in my chest, and I clutch it. Fuck. Don’t have a heart attack. “Well, she’s not ‘the one.’” I hit the end button, no longer able to handle another second talking to anyone. I need to get into the stadium and let the familiar comfort of home ease the pain.

How am I going to be around her at the gym? I’ll have to figure something out, even if it means changing my entire workout routine, I’ll do it. Luckily, next week is an away game. I can get out of town and get some space between us.

I pull into my assigned parking spot and kill the engine. If we win today, we’ll have an off tomorrow, and film on Tuesday. Then, we’ll fly out on Friday, which will leave two days in the gym. The only option is to go after she’s gone for the day.

After I make it into the locker room, Tony smacks my back. “It must have been quite a night.”

“Don’t.” I shake my head and jerk open the locker.

“Shit.” He frowns. “Sorry, dude. I was hoping things were good between you and Dani.”

“I thought they were.” I grab my Under Armor gear off the shelf.

“But?” He crosses his arms and braces his legs apart.

I might as well tell someone. He and the guys are my best friends. “Everything was great last night. And this morning.”

Heat creeps up my neck. Making love to Dani is the best sex I’ve ever experienced. That is until she froze up and tossed me out of her bedroom and home. It was like a sword shoved through my gut.

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