Page 50 of The Game

“What time do the players have to be at the stadium?”

My dad’s forehead wrinkles like he’s trying to figure out the relevance of the question. “An hour before kickoff.”

“See.” Ashley shakes her head.

Gunner would have easily gotten to the stadium by ten-thirty at the latest. He had over thirty minutes to spare.

At least, he won’t have to sit out. Does that mean I screwed up? I fall onto the sofa and toss my head against the cushions. The pre-game is already on the television, muted in the background.

Gunner tosses a bullet down the field, and Tony snatches it out of the air. The cameraman pans in for a closeup of Gunner, and he smiles for the camera. Carefree and no concerns.

Fuck. He doesn’t care anything about me. I close my eyes. Why isn’t there a magic lamp I can rub to make a wish? I’d like to roll back the film and start over.

“Why did you ask when the players have to be at the stadium?” My dad places his hands on his hips.

“Dani here was – “

“Stop.” My eyes pop open, and I grit my teeth together.

&n

bsp; “Pft.” She wooshes me away with a flip of her fingernails. “Dani was doing the nasty with Gunner.”

“Gunner?” My mom steps out of the kitchen while drying her hands on a dishtowel. “Gunner Sinclair? Holy cow. He’s such an amazing guy. Did you know he donates to at least five charities here in town?”

For the love of God. The little guy in my brain smacks his cymbals together.

“Yes, Elise. She has a…” Ashley glares at me. “Well, she had a thing going with Gunner but broke it off with him when he got a call this morning. Apparently, one of the guys called him when he didn’t show up.”

“Yeah, players have elaborate Phone Trees set up to make sure everyone gets there in time.”

“Dear, do you remember the time Martin Lyons had to show up and knock on the door.” My mom flushes and fans herself.

Dad laughs. “God, yes. I made it with only fifteen minutes to spare. Of course, Rick Barns was already suiting up in my uniform to pass off as me until I got there.”

“What?” I raise up and gawk at my father.

He smacks his thigh. “God, yes. We had elaborate planning established for every scenario. That night your mom and I – “

“Dear?” My mom’s eyes are round, and she shuffles her feet.

“Oh God, don’t,” I groan. I don’t want to hear about my parent’s sex life.

“Fine, we’ll leave that to your imagination, but whatever you and Gunner were doing, we probably one-upped you.”

I doubt that. My face heats until I’m sure I look like a tomato.

“I question that.” Ashley giggles and bends over at the waist. “Dani’s giving off a kinky vibe.”

“Yeah.” My dad wrinkles his nose. “I’m not sure I want to imagine my daughter and my favorite player with whips and chains.”

Oh, God. Please, take me now.

“Anyway.” He shudders. “I’ve heard the guys use phone location apps to track each other. No one’s going to miss a game now.

As they drone on in the background, I watch Gunner as he smacks Tony on the back, and they laugh at some inside joke.

The jokes on me. I made a total ass out of myself. Either Gunner never liked me, and the whole celibacy thing was a ruse to get chicks, or I fucked things up. Either way. I’m screwed.

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