Page 107 of Playing to Win
Gwen slumps forward, pressing her head against the desk for a moment. “Did you have to argue with her, Eric?”
“She was being so sexist! It’s not like you were flirting with the football team.” Eric scoffs.
I keep my lips pressed together so I don’t say something stupid like, oh I was!
Because I was flirting with Ace all night.
“Right, because I was too busy flirting with you.” Gwen lifts her head, her gaze going to mine. “You never heard me say that.”
“She did,” Eric says.
“I did,” I agree, my gaze bouncing between the two of them. “Are you guys—”
“We don’t know what we are,” Gwen says, cutting me off.
Eric remains quiet, but he’s smiling, ducking his head.
My earlier worry is forgotten. I’m grinning at them like a fool. “Ooh, you two! What happened Saturday night?”
“None of your business,” Gwen says at the same time Eric answers, “We kissed.”
“Oh my God!” I’m hopping up and down like a child, clapping my hands. “That’s so cute. You two make a good couple.”
“Don’t rush things,” Gwen says.
“I agree,” Eric tells me.
This man is clearly into her and she’s freaking out. We need to have a talk, but I can tell Gwen doesn’t want to have it now.
“We’re not going to practice today.” Gwen rises from her chair and starts pacing around the office like she’s nervous. “I wanted to work on editing the footage we got over the weekend and putting together some posts, and now after what Marilee said, I think it’s a good idea if we steer clear from the team for the week.”
“The entire week?” I ask, sounding sad.
“Gwen, that’s being a little extreme,” Eric tells her.
“Do you have a better idea?” Gwen crosses her arms in front of her, defensive.
“Yeah, I think I do. I agree we should stay here this afternoon and work on all the footage we got during the game, but later this week? Those guys are going to be a lot more relaxed since they don’t have a game Saturday, including the coaching staff. You should put together some of those lip-syncing videos you like so much.” Eric makes the slightest face. He still thinks those videos are ridiculous, but he doesn’t give us too much grief over it. “What do you think, Ruby?”
“I think that sounds perfect,” I say with a firm nod.
Gwen sighs. “Fine. Let’s get to work then.”
I’ll miss seeing Ace out at practice, but it might be best to stay away this afternoon. I’m guessing they got a talking to as well, and I wonder how he took it. Will he freak out and not want to see me anymore?
I doubt he would give up on me that easily.
Would he?
He better not.
* * *
Acey Baby:What are you doing?
Me:Avoiding football players at all costs.
Acey Baby:Including me?
