Page 37 of The No Try Zone
The sounds of laughter float from the backyard, and right as I’m about to find my way there, the front door opens.
“Colin?”
Standing before me, her face flushed with happiness, is Sam. She’s dressed up, her blond hair out of its signature high ponytail and flowing in waves down her shoulders, wearing a cozy sweater and holding a can of flavored soda water. She’s absolutely stunning. I open my mouth, but close it again.Stunning.
Her smile dims, steadily turning into a frown. “Colin. Are you just going to stare at me, or are you going to interact like a normal human?”
I hold up the bags and force words from my mouth. “I brought ice.”
I am an idiot. I should have known she’d be here. Ofcourseshe’s here. Where else would an Australian be on American Thanksgiving?
Her mouth twitches. I’d like to think it’s close to a smile, but there’s no way. Not when she’s spent the last two weeks making a point of ignoring me even when we’re near each other. “Take it around back,” she instructs, then shuts the door in my face with a bang.
Ah.That’swhy she almost smiled.
Is it bad that all her anger does is make me want to irritate her more? Because if making her mad will get her into my arms again, then count me in. “Game on, Sam,” I murmur, then make my way around the house.
The backyard is filled with all the Granite players who aren’t American, and for a beat, I feel like an utter asshole. Because it should have been me who made sure everyone had somewhere to be on the holiday, not the team captain.
Scratch that. The team captain’sfiancé.I file it away for next year and throw on a smile for Lennox, the Scot who I’ve gathered is also Ansel’s best friend.
“Aye, Coach, Elodie said we’d be seeing you today!” The man is about as quiet as an ox, so his attention brings everyone’s focus to me. A chorus of greetings volley my way, and I return them.
Lennox grabs the bags with ease, not missing a step as he guides me over the concrete patio toward two giant coolers. We fill them – turns out that ten pounds was the correct amount – and I walk around to say my hellos.
“Coach!” Ollie’s boisterous voice precedes him as he approaches, a wide, excited smile on his face. “I thought you were headed home to Vermont?”
“Weather had other plans,” I explain, extending my arm for the ritual that Ollie insisted we create: two fist bumps, then splaying my hand wide like an explosion. I’m taken by surprise when Ollie pulls me into a hug, but the kid’s so much like an overgrown puppy sometimes that I should have expected it.
“It’s so good to see you,” he enthuses. “I’ve been thinking a lot about our talk the other day, and –”
“Ollie, give the man a break!” Elodie steps into our small circle and swats at the man who’s nearly a foot taller than her. “I know he’s your favorite, but let’s enjoy the day. Coach,” she says and turns to me, “I’m glad you came.”
“I’m glad you were thoughtful enough to make this thing happen,” I say. “I won’t forget it – and I’ll make sure I’m on deck to do this next year.”
She blushes and waves the compliment away. “I like this sort of thing. And it’s a lot of fun seeing all the dishes the guys have brought!” At my confused look, she expands. “I asked each guy to bring a side dish from their country. Ansel’s manning the Cajun smoked turkey, and Kari brought the honey-baked ham, but after that, we’re at the mercy of your team’s culinary skills.”
“This is either brilliant or terrifying,” I admit.
“Brilliant,” Ansel says, walking up and extending a hand. “If Elodie’s involved, whatever it is, it’s brilliant.”
“You told me all I needed to bring wasice.”
He grins. “Elodie made the rules, Coach. Come on, help me get these coolers stocked.”
The next few hours are absolute torture. Hanging with my players is good – great, even, because there’s no better way to get to know them than in this kind of setting – but having to pretend like Sam is just another person in the Granite franchise is gut-wrenching. Watching all the guys ogle her and flirt with her is too much.
She’s. My. Wife.
It doesn’t matter that I have no right to call her that. Doesn’t matter that she’d rather punch me than kiss me. All I can think as she smiles at one guy after another ismine. She’s mine.Like a fucking ogre.
She bends down to better hear something Jamie says, and I don’t miss the way he shifts in his seat.
I’ll kill him. Atlanta might be densely populated, but it’s surrounded by plenty of wide-open land. Shouldn’t be too hard to make a body disappear.
Fuck, I’m a mess.
“Coach, could I get you and Sam to help me inside?” Elodie’s voice calls from the back door.
