Page 20 of Playing for Love

“They’ll be glad to see you. Mom and Dad asked about you.”

“I know. I should call them, but it’s been so busy. I barely got a couple of extra days off.”

“You’re happy in the new job?”

“Loving it.” I was never so mixed about hearing news. I was happy for Denise because she deserved to be successful. She was a talented designer. I knew she worked hard. But I knew that meant she wouldn’t be coming back to Boston anytime soon.

And that meant I had to make a decision about us. Sooner than later. Clearing the problem from my mind, I switched back to football. It was where my head belonged. Where I planned to keep my focus.

“Good to hear, babe. You deserve it.”

“I’m so glad to hear you say that, sweetheart. You have no idea. We’ll talk more this weekend. Can’t wait to see you. Love you—gotta go now.” She hung up. It was the second time in a row she hadn’t bothered to wait for me to tell her I love you too. Maybe that was for the best.

Standing, I made my way to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face and brushed my teeth. Practice would be intense this week, preparing for the first regular season game. I would finally get to play so I’d be getting massive reps at practice.

My only remaining thought about Denise was dread about having that talk she’d promised. And, shamefully, I wondered if I could at least put it off until after we fucked our brains out. It shouldn’t be hard since that would be my first order of business on Friday when I got her home. To hell with going out.

* * *

The field was blazinghot and sweat dripped off me in rivers. A water boy ran up to me as I paused on the sidelines, chest heaving after a scramble play. The kid squirted water in my face until I opened my mouth for a long swallow. Then I put up a hand and he went to the next guy. There were two water boys and a water girl today. Probably someone’s kids or nieces and nephews. We could have used ten of them, it was so damn hot and humid.

And I loved every minute of it. A whistle blew, calling an end to the defensive drill on the field, and the players came trotting toward the water as fast as their exhaustion allowed. I moved aside to give them room. Nodding at Tate as he tore his helmet from his head, I waited for him to get his water and a scoop of Gatorade before I went to him. We had a few minutes before the next round. An air horn sounded and Coach Marini waved for us to huddle.

“We’re going in for lunch early and we’ll stay later. To deal with the heat. We’ll have a couple of hours late after dinner. Plan on practice under the lights tonight, men.” There were a few groans that Coach silenced with a quick glare. I didn’t mind. Practice was my favorite thing after playing in games.

We broke from huddle and I walked inside with Tate. As soon as we hit the tunnel the air temperature dropped ten degrees.

“Ah, that feels damn good,” he said. “It’s almost hotter here than it was in LA. The humidity is hell.”

“Takes some getting used to,” I said. “How are you finding Boston—aside from the weather?”

He looked at me with suspicion in his raised brow. “Why don’t you come right out and ask me about Mia? How I like her?”

I laughed. “Okay. What do you think of her?”

“It’s only been one date. Half of it spent with you, so it hardly counts.”

“That was it?” Damn if relief didn’t sound in my voice.

“You asking me if I slept with her, Wyatt? Cause that’s bordering on—”

“No. None of my business.”

“Damn right it isn’t. I’m not one for locker room talk about women. And even if I was, she’s not one of those women.”

“I know that. I’m the one who fixed you up.”

“True.”

I got to my locker and started stripping down the sweat-soaked jerseys and pads. I always made it a point to shower before eating, not wanting to taste sweat and dirt in my food.

“Okay,” he said, stopping at my locker before moving on to his. “The answer is no. And that’s all you’re getting.”

“You seeing her again?” He could say whatever else he wanted, but I figured I had a right to know that much.

He nodded. “I’m not stupid. I know quality. Why are you so interested?”

“The matchmaker is always interested in how things turn out.” It was true, but he wasn’t buying it.