Page 17 of First Down Promise

“Thank fuck.” Pete shifts his attention to me. “So, elephant in the room—Abby, why aren’t you with the girls?” Pete asks. My cheeks flush, and my eyes dart to Dane because he’ll call me on a lie.

“She didn’t know the girls went out. I found Thomas—that rookie defense guy—talking to her on my way out,” Josh says before I can speak up.

Pete narrows his eyes at me. “Why were you talking to him?”

“He was talking to me,” I snap.

Josh picks up his full beer glass. “And she was too nice to tell him to fuck off,” he adds, lifting it to his lips.

“Sounds like a rookie testing the waters. If you’re spotted talking to a player, and it’s perceived as anything remotely flirty, you’ll be off the squad,” Dane warns. “You can’t let players talk to you.”

“Aside from us,” Coop adds in that Southern drawl of his. “Obviously, you’re siblings, but the three of us can make a case for you if anyone gives you shit for talking to anyone else on offense. Defense and special teams, though...”

“It’s so strict,” I mumble under my breath.

“For a reason,” Dane adds. He rests his elbows on the table and drops his gaze. I always thought he had the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, similar to a husky’s, but they make him look sharp and intimidating. Being an offensive lineman, he’s the biggest, just slightly taller but much heavier than Josh, which makes him more imposing.

“What’s the reason?” I ask.

“You heard about that defense guy having a relationship with a cheerleader a long time ago. Everyone did, but the team covered it up. They didn’t have a relationship; he was obsessed with her and attacked her. She got kicked off the squad, and he kept his place on the team. Thankfully, we traded him the following season,” Dane explains. My stomach turns, and I reach for an untouched water glass.

“He was a liability,” Josh says before another sip of beer. “I wouldn’t feel comfy with you near him.” My stomach settles slightly as I make eye contact with him.

“Nor would I,” Pete adds.

I shift back to Dane. “So, a woman got hurt and got punished for a man’s actions?” He slowly nods. “Sounds about right,” I reply. “And you two played with him?” I ask Dane and Josh. I knew this happened a couple of seasons before Pete joined the team, but Coop is even newer.

“Yeah, he was a piece of work,” Josh answers. “I played with him longer than Dane. Always a fucking jerk. But he got a career-ending injury after he was traded.”

“And pissed away all his money?” Dane asks with a smirk toward Josh.

“Thought I heard that,” Josh replies. “Should have invested like you tell everyone to.” Dane just nods again and sips his beer.

“Karma, right?” I reply. “But, God, that sucks that we have to be punished, too.”

“Yeah, the league cracked down after that, but I think the Stallions are the strictest since it happened here,” Josh says to me.

“Christ, this is too heavy for our home game win ritual,” Coop chimes in. “I know it’s not allowed, but have you heard the other girls talk about any of us?”

My cheeks burn again. “Um, no, not really. They know I’m ‘in’ with the O-line.” I make air quotes. “But I thought I heard a couple of them talk about Dane,” I joke, mostly to see if I could make him blush.

“Hey-yo!” Pete laughs and pats Dane on the back. I glance at Dane, who’s thoroughly blushing as predicted, but my attention drifts back to Josh as if he were calling my name. He’s just studying my face from across the table like he’s trying to decode my words.

“I’m flattered, but single by choice,” Dane says when the guys’ laughter cools down.

“More like selective. We all know you’re secretly a slut, Dane,” Pete teases him. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them talk about Dane’s affairs. Had it been about Josh instead, my stomach might’ve tied itself in a knot.

“Yet still selective about it,” Dane says, and Josh chuckles. “Don’t even start, Kenz. You have the highest body count on the team.” My eyes widen, and Josh mouths what the fuck to Dane.

“Hardly, you asshole,” Josh says to Dane.

“I don’t know. You get more ass than a toilet seat,” Pete adds, and Coop rumbles with laughter.

“I hate you fuckers,” Josh says, laughing as always, but I see the hurt behind his eyes. Just like Family Day four years ago.

I take another sip of water, and it reminds me Josh didn’t keep his promise. “I thought you said you’d buy me a drink,” I say to Josh. Pete isn’t very subtle as he side-eyes Josh up and down.

“That’s the sister tax?” Josh teases.