Page 94 of Playing to Win
“Thank you.” She peers at me, her expression turning serious. Which is her usual look, but I swear this is even more serious. “Can I tell you something?”
“Absolutely,” I say with a nod.
“I thought you were going to be awful. That you got the job only because of your last name and who you’re related to,” she admits.
I’m not shocked by this confession either. “I figured as much.”
“I know I can be a bit…judgmental sometimes.” She takes another sip of her drink, wincing. “It’s my worst trait. I’m just…I have a hard time trusting people.”
“I’m glad you gave me a chance,” I tell her, wanting her to know that I mean it. “I think we work well together.”
She smiles faintly. “I do too. It helps that you care about the team. Making content. The girl last season…she just wanted to hook up with as many players as she could.”
Uneasiness slips down my spine and I mentally tell it to take a hike. “I definitely enjoy creating content, especially the type where the guys can make fun of themselves. And I like brainstorming ideas with you and putting it all together.”
“I totally agree! I’m just so glad to find someone who’s into it and not doing the job just to get close to football players. I mean, I get why anyone would want to get close to them. They’re fun, they’re attractive. They’re a good time,” Gwen says.
I’m finally shocked by something Gwen said. “You actuallylikethem?”
“Oh yeah. I find them intimidating, I can’t lie, but there’s something about hanging out with a giant group of guys who are a team. Who support each other. You get caught up in it, and it’s…exciting. Doesn’t hurt that they all have gorgeous bodies and faces.” Gwen takes another, longer sip from her drink and I realize I need to catch up to her.
I sip from my Frosé, digesting what she just said. I had Gwen all wrong. I thought she hated the team and did the job because she…I don’t know, had to? But that makes no sense. If you’re going to work in social media and with athletes, shouldn’t you have respect for the sport? At least a little bit?
“But they’re not my speed,” she continues. “Football players. I like my guys a little more on the quiet, nerdy side.”
“Like Eric?” I ask, my voice low.
She nods, suddenly appearing miserable. “Just like Eric.”
“Did you just mention my bro?” Derek asks us out of nowhere. God, I really hope he wasn’t listening in on our conversation. “Eric?”
“Derek and Eric,” Gwen murmurs. “You guys’ names rhyme.”
“Right? Any time one of you screams his name, I get excited for a second, thinking you’re calling me,” Derek says, his smile sly as he studies both of us.
I groan. “Please don’t start flirting with us. We’re not interested.”
“Oh, come on, Maguire. You know you want me.” The cheesy grin that now appears makes me roll my eyes. “And Gwennie, I just got half the bar cheering for you. I deserve a reward.”
“You don’t deserve shit,” Gwen tells him, slurping down her drink. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are sparkling and I realize why there’s a two-drink limit on this concoction. She’s already buzzed. “I’m not interested in you, Big D.”
He chortles. “Whoa, you know my nickname?”
“Everybodyknows your nickname,” Ace says, reentering our conversation after talking to the guy on the other side of Derek. “You proudly tell everyone and their mother all about it.”
I laugh. Ace squeezes my leg yet again, making my stomach—and other, lower parts of my body—flutter. We share a look and I think of what Gwen said. How she’s so glad I’m not interested in getting with anyone on the football team.
I’m definitely not interested in the entire team. Not even a few of the players.
Only one.
THIRTY
ACE
I’m drunk.
I’ve tried my best all season to watch my alcohol intake and stay on the healthy track. I’ve managed it pretty well too, but tonight was a cause for celebration and I let go.
