Page 17 of Zone
“What?” Coco and I say at the same time.
Lindsey hands me her phone, and I take it, my eyes quickly scanning the screen. One of those ridiculous TMI headlines is on it, reading “K-BRAD CLAPS BACK!!!!!” in bold, all-caps with all those silly exclamation points over a video.
I frown. “What is this?”
“Chet Arnold interview,” Lindsey explains.
Chet Arnold is a sideline reporter I’ve bumped into a fewtimes. He’s got an ego the size of Texas, but otherwise, he seems okay. I’ve never had a problem with him. He even dropped me the occasional news tip when I worked with Susan. I haven’t heard from him since I parted ways with her.
Lindsey taps the triangle and the video plays. My heart beats faster when Knox’s blue eyes flash at the camera. His dark hair is still short on the sides, but it’s gotten longer on top and it hangs messily over his forehead. His cheeks are dusted with whiskers, but I can tell he’s growing a mustache.
A tingle moves through my stomach. Coco is right, he’s hot as fuck.
“How do you feel about the rising popularity ofGirl’s Got Gameand the running critique of your play?” Chet asks.
The muscle in Knox’s square jaw pops. His dark brow lowers over those sapphire eyes, and a growl enters his tone. “I think people who don’t understand football need to get back in the kitchen and focus on making the wings and pizza.”
My eyes widen, and my lips part. “Did he just tell me to get back in the kitchen?”
“Oh, no he didn’t.” Lindsey wags her finger.
“He’s such a pig.” Coco puts her hand over her mouth, dark eyes flashing. “I’m obsessed with him.”
“He’s going to think ‘get back in the kitchen.’” My thumbs fly over the screen of my phone, and I quickly create a post.
“Let’s discuss K-Brad in the kitchen,” I say aloud as I type. “Instead of giving instructions, perhaps he could focus on finding the recipe for timing, pass completion, and most importantly, not wilting under intense heat.”
I don’t even think twice before tappingpost, and as if the TMI guys were waiting for it, my comment goes live instantly.
“Ohh, shiiit.” Lindsey laughs, watching her phone. “Thehearts are surging… and the laugh-crying emojis… and the red-face emojis.”
I lift my chin, feeling vindicated on my behalf and on behalf of all womankind… and everyone else for whom it might apply. We’ll send his ass back to the kitchen.
Coco’s eyes are wide, and her hand still covers her enormous grin. “This issofun!”
I look from her to Lindsey with a smug expression. “Go left.”
CHAPTER 5
Knox
“Lost the recipe?” I growl, looking at my phone.
Chet Arnold caught me on the field after an especially grueling practice in the September heat. I was exhausted and tired. It was a holiday, yet we were on the training field instead of lounging by a pool somewhere with our families.
Then he asked me about that fuckingGirl’s Got Gamechick. I’ll admit, I took shots, but that female has me seeing red.
Of course she replied with one of her usual snarky comebacks.Does she have comedy writers on staff or something?And TMI pulled her quote and turned it into a viral article on their website. It’s making me crazy.
“These guys don’t miss a trick,” I grouse, ready for Fonz to stop forwarding these things to me.
“They’re having a great time with your beef.” Baker grips my shoulder, giving it a shake. “Are you gonna fuck her?”
“What?” I snap. “Hell, no. She’s probably some old hag who never had kids. Now she’s got too much time on her hands.”
“Nah,” Baker argues, shaking his head. “That voice is young and hot,andshe knows football? Sign me up.”
“Sign me off. I want her gone.”
