Page 149 of Don't Fall for the Goalie
I have a really bad feeling about this.
I’m so distracted by them that when I reach for my pastry, I hit my elbow on the table. I jerk back from the pain, sending my drink toppling to the floor, spilling everywhere. Allie manages to catch hers before it suffers the same fate.
I look despondently at it, listening to the girls’ whispers and laughter growing louder. Humiliation washes over me.
This is going to end up on social media.
Tony hurries over, towels and a mop in hand. “I got you,” he says as he begins cleaning it up.
“Oh... thank you.” I tear my eyes from the girls and look at him. “I appreciate it.”
He smiles, swiftly cleaning up my mess.
When he leaves, I give Allie an embarrassed smile. “I’m so sorry. You must think I’m a klutz.”
She shakes her head. “Not at all. It happens.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal.
Tony strides over to our table again, a big smile on his face. “Here you go. A fresh coffee. On the house.” He holds it out for me.
“Oh, um.” I bite my lip, shifting uncomfortably. “You didn’t have to.”
He leans down, his smile growing wider. “I know. But I wanted to. It's not every day I meet someone like you.”
The bell over the door jingles again.
The air shifts, and I feel him before I see him.
“Get the fuck away from my girlfriend,” Daltyn says in a loud, authoritative voice, silencing the coffee shop.
Oh, fuck.
Even though part of me wishes the floor would open and swallow me, the other part is insanely turned on.
A stupid little voice in my brain chimes in, adding to the insanity.
He called you his girlfriend.
38
PEYTON
My pulse races as I stare at the very jealous and pissed-off goalie standing behind Tony. He moved so fast, it was as though he teleported over here. His jaw is clenched so tightly, I’m surprised I don’t hear his molars cracking.
Every muscle is so tense that he looks even bigger than usual. Like a massive hurricane about to rain down destruction.
Tony looks absolutely terrified. His eyes are wide as he straightens and slowly turns to face Daltyn. He looks like he’s about to face a firing squad.
Connor stands behind Daltyn, his arms crossed, a smug smile on his lips. He meets my eyes and waves, then mouths, “He’s jealous,” and points at Daltyn.
Daltyn is oblivious to Connor’s antics. His attention is fully focused on Tony. Nostrils flare with every exhale, and his hands are clenched into fists.
“Why the hell aren’t you behind the counter, working?” Daltyn says through gritted teeth. “Instead, you’re out here, flirting with my girlfriend.”
“I-I didn’t know she was...” he swallows hard. “Your girlfriend.”
Daltyn takes a step closer. “Is that supposed to make things better?”
“No.” He frantically shakes his head, then holds his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I was just helping. She spilled her coffee and I cleaned it up.”
