Page 86 of All In: The Price We Pay

“I’ll be there for the next game,” he says, more to himself than to me.

“Okay, cowboy.” I stand up and hold out my hand to him. “Now off to bed. You have to get up early. The physical therapist won’t wait.” I pause to think. “Or will they wait for you?”

Evan laughs and lets me help him up.

The next day, Evan is awake before I am. He’s already done his exercises, tended to his injury, and eaten his healthy breakfast.

When I tiptoe into the kitchen, he’s already fully dressed and ready to head to his first appointment. “Good morning.”

His limp is barely noticeable as he walks toward me. If I didn’t know he was injured, I wouldn’t have noticed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

I stretch and plant a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “You didn’t. I wanted to see you before you go.”

Evan smiles and runs his thumb along my chin. “Next time, I’ll wake you up.”

“Okay.” I run my hand over his workout clothes. “I, um, have an appointment today near your complex. At a modeling agency. Hmm. If you want, we could meet for lunch at a small café just around the corner. I can work there too. After that, I could come back to your place. Do you have to go out again this afternoon?”

He hesitates. I’m catching him off guard with my idea. We’ve never talked about going out together. My gaze falls on his neck. “Forget it.”

“Yeah, let’s do it. That sounds good. Let me know when you’re ready and . . . ”

“Evan only if you’re absolutely sure.”

He smiles weakly, presses his lips together, but nods. “Yes, I want to do this. There’s nothing wrong with people seeing us together. It has to be possible for two men to sit together in a café.”

I run my fingertips over his cheek. “I’ll be there. If it doesn’t work out, let me know. It’s okay either way. I’ll put my time to good use.”

He kisses me. A light touch on my lips. “I’ll be in touch.”

With those words, he disappears.

I watch him go and know he’s going to cancel on me.

Hours later, I’m sitting in one of my favorite cafés. The photos I was allowed to take exclusively during the shoot are breathtaking. We’ll receive professionally edited versions later, but for the post we’re planning, my amateur shots are perfect.

I glance at the clock on my tablet and stifle a sigh. Evan hasn’t gotten in touch, nor has he shown up.

It’s okay. I left it up to him, and I won’t make a big deal out of it if it doesn’t work out. Most importantly, I can finish the assignment almost on my own. Plus, it was nice to see Selina, the photographer for the shoot, again.

I should have asked her if she’d come here with me.

Never mind.

Just as I’m saving everything and deciding not to order anything else, the café door opens, letting a blast of much-too-cool spring air into the place.

But that’s not all. Blake, Sid, Munns, and Evan squeeze through the door.

I’m completely taken aback, and my mouth drops open.

Blake walks over to me. “So you’re here. What a coincidence. Evan told us you recommended this café to him. And now you’re here too.”

“Ah.” I seek Evan’s gaze. What should I do? Obviously, he hasn’t told his teammates the truth about us, but they are here now. “Yeah, I had some business in the area. I regularly come here afterward. I can work here. How about you guys?”

Blake turns to Sid, Munns, and Evan. “Those two unlucky guys have to wait for the doctor’s results now. And Sid and I were kind enough not to leave them alone.”

“Okay. Cool. I, um . . . ” I look around. Evan has put on his terribly neutral facade, and I don’t know what he expects from me now. “I can go and let you guys do your thing,” I suggest.

“No, stay. Come on. It’s great to see you again. Valentina will be happy.”