Page 17 of The Game

“It’s cool to hear stories like that. I hate when some of the older players have been treated poorly by past owners. He’s lucky to have two teams to support him.”

Thank God all the awkwardness from our last meeting is gone. Now, we’re back to Gunner and Dani. Friends.

It sure beats two people who avoid each other because their friends try to set them up. Well, it would be better if said friends were successful at getting us to hook up, but I’ll settle for friendship.

“Dani?” Gunner’s face is suddenly serious as he shifts from foot to foot in the threshold of the door.

“Yes?” My hands are sweaty, and I rub them on my spandex leggings.

“Can I ask you for a huge favor?” He licks his lips and swallows. Before I can answer, he continues, “Feel free to say no. There’s no pressure.”

“What?” My heart skips a beat. He’s nervous. What makes Gunner Sinclair nervous?

“I need a date for my cousin’s wedding.”

Holy shit. Is he asking me out on a date?

He puts his hands up as if to ward me off. “Not a real date, but as a safeguard against my parents. My mom is trying to set me up with a woman who stalked me for three months. I’m not going through that again.”

My arms are heavy as I stand. I didn’t think I could be this disappointed. Even though I knew he didn’t want to date me, it still feels like a kick in the gut to hear the words out loud. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I can’t be with him all night and not go farther down the rabbit hole with my growing feelings for him. I need to cut this off before I get hurt. Besides, he’ll have plenty of time to find someone to take that he’s attracted to. I don’t want to interfere with that.

“I understand.” A tinge of pink covers his cheeks. “You probably have a date this weekend.”

I tilt my head back and gawk at him. “This weekend?”

“Yes,” he groans. “I’ve been ignoring my mom for months about going. I hate parties, but she insists I go. If one thing in my family is true, it’s that if my mom puts her foot down, it’s happening.

“You need a date. For a wedding. This weekend.”

“Yes.” He shoves his hands into his gray sweatpants. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll find someone else to go. I’m not about to go alone and be my mom’s sacrificial lamb. I’ll be getting married next if I’m not careful.”

I cough uncontrollably until tears fill my eyes. He steps forward and pats me on the back. Oh, my God, how embarrassing. I’m such a loser.

“Are you okay?” His eyes are filled with concern, which takes some of the sting out of the situation.

Yes. No. “Yes,” the word squeaks out as I try not to pass out. Why does the thought of Gunner getting married make me want to hurl?

When I sober, I know one thing for sure, he’s not going to the wedding alone. Or, finding another cheap floozy to go with him. If he needs a friend to be his wing woman, I’m his girl. No strings attached. Somehow, I’ll figure out how to not get my heart broken.

“Gunner, I’ll go with you.” I step backward to put some space between us, and I place my hands on my hips.

He cocks his head to the side and furrows his brow. “You will?”

“Yes, I will. I figured you had plenty of time to find someone to go with you that you wanted to date, but since the wedding is this weekend, I’m not leaving you high and dry.” I shrug. “We’re friends, and friends help each other out. I would hate to see you get conned into something you don’t want to do.”

“Don’t feel obligated. I’d eventually get rid of her again.” He shudders. “But she’s a schemer. I had to block her on social media through numerous accounts. I even had to give her photo to the security guard at my condo, so she wouldn’t try and sneak in.”

My eyes bug out. I’m obsessed with him, so I get the appeal, but I wouldn’t chase him around like a crazy stalker. Would I? “That’s awful.”

But, look at him. For Christ’s sake, he’s wearing skintight sweats that mold to his muscles like a second skin.

“It was.” He clasps my upper arms.

Oh, Lord, I’m going to melt into a puddle.

“I’m serious. If you have something else to do this weekend, I completely understand.”

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