Page 208 of Just for the Plot

“Yes,” I answer, startled by the intensity of his stare.

And then with that, he hops off the bench and heads into the tunnel toward the locker room.

Jesus.

I stare out at the field, stunned and confused at the same time.

“What was that about?” Nolan asks, taking a seat next to me.

“Don’t really know,” I answer, not wanting to give away that conversation. Felt important and sacred.

“Guy is weird.” Nolan unwraps some Dubble Bubble and shoves it in his mouth. “Your girl here tonight?”

“In one of the suites with her boss.”

“Nervous?”

“Nah.” I shake my head. “Fucking love it when she watches.”

“Ahh, you like to show off?”

“Yup,” I answer, feeling the buzz in my veins of knowing that Bower is here, wearing my number on her back. She sent me a picture when she arrived, looking all kinds of hot in cut-off denim shorts and herkid-sized shirt. I told her tonight that shirt and a thong are required—win or lose.

“Maybe when the season is over she can hook me up with one of her friends.”

“Her friend is married.”

“She only has one friend?” he asks incredulously.

“That I know of. She also has her boss that is in her sixties, and she’s single.”

“Right.” He nods. “I could totally get into that. Don’t mind having a mommy in my life.”

“You’re fucking sick,” I say.

“Says the guy who has his very own mommy himself.”

“She’s not a mommy.”

“Fine…an auntie.”

“Get fucked,” I say as I hop off the bench, his laughter trailing behind me.

CHAPTER 38

BOWER

“How do you feel aboutall the women lusting after your man?” Adalade asks.

We’re sitting in our suite together, just me and her. She has Cracker Jack in her hand, and I’m chowing down on some nachos.

“I like it,” I say, taking in the sights and sounds of the stadium. Below us everyone is decorated in their Bombers gear, a high percentage of them withBrinkmanon their backs, sprinkled in with someHartandPeppersas well.

“Interesting. I’d assumed you’d be upset about it.”

“Why would you assume that?” I ask, taking a big bite of one of my nachos.

“Because you seem like the type who would get jealous over someone trying to make a move on your man.”