Page 73 of Game Plan
Hallie paused in unpacking the glass washer and shook her head. "Hell no, but my boyfriend would. He'll be in later." She gave me a smile and wiggled her pierced brows.
"Is that the guy who's about eight feet tall and built like a tank?" I asked. "If so, I'll pass." He looked like he'd sooner punch me than ogle me.
"He's a gentle giant," Hallie said.
"I'll take your word for it," I said under my breath.
"See, you've still got it," Bam said with a grin.
I smirked. "I never doubted I had it." I just made some misjudgments with who I trusted and cared about, that was all.
Bam laughed. "I'm starting to think you were in your underwear on purpose. Woulda made a great headline."
"Hey," I said, my expression deadpan. "How about you do it? You'd be just as great a headline. Maybe better."
"Fuck nope," Bam said. "Not unless there's something at stake."
"You want to make a bet?" Because the last bet I made wentsowell. I'd won so well, I lost.
"Sure. I'll strip down to my underpants and run down the street." Bam actually looked excited at the idea. It might be the beer talking, and it might not. He got wild once in a while when sober.
"And if you do, what do you want?" He had as much money as I did, as far as I knew, so he didn't need to get semi-naked for more of it.
"If I do, you go to Becca and let her run that article," he said. "And if I don't do it, you don't have to."
I shook my head and shrugged one shoulder. "That's a crap bet," I said. "I'd rather give you money, or buy you a burger."
"You could do that too," he said with a grin.
"Get it yourself." I sipped my beer. I'd curled my hand around it for so long, it was slightly warm.
"At least talk to the woman," Bam said. "I know you, you'll mope around with your chin on the ground for the next year. It'll give us all the shits."
"I'm sorry if my love life is such a hassle for you," I said, half sour, half joking.
"I forgive you." He patted my shoulder. "Save the angst for the field."
"You want me to cry in the middle of a game?" I asked.
He rubbed his chin as though seriously considering it. "That's an interesting tactic. I wonder if it would work?"
"It would be a great way of getting a new nickname," I said dryly. "Howling Hawk."
"Crybaby Conrad," Bam said helpfully.
"I think I'll stick to playing the game like usual," I said. "I'll save my angst for the bottom of a bottle of beer. Or two."
"This is why falling in love is for suckers," Bam said. "Falling is easy. Getting out is hard."
"Yeah," I agreed. "I think I'll swear off women. It seems to work for you."
"Not Chase though." Bam nodded toward him. The blonde now sat on his lap, feeding him chips while he grinned.
"Why do I think we'll be picking his heart up off the floor before too long?" Bam asked.
"Mmmm," I agreed. Chase looked smitten already. Who could blame him? Hot woman feeding him chips, what more could a guy want?
I sighed into my beer. Becca wasn't the 'feed me chips in public' kinda gal. At least, I didn't think she was. She was definitely the 'swat my hand away when I tried to steal one' kind. She was probably the 'I don't feel like dessert, but then I'll eat half of yours' kind too. I'd never know.
