Page 18 of Gossip Game

Devlin came out from behind the bar and wrapped his arms around her. “I would have been insulted if you had.”

The smile she gave the ex-quarterback was genuine. “How are Carly and the kids?”

“Powering through the first week of school,” Devlin replied.

“And Troy?” she asked. “It must be hard sending your little brother off to college.”

Devlin laughed. “You must not spend much time around know-it-all teenagers.” His face softened. “Don’t you dare repeat this, but I miss having him around. He’s settling in nicely, though. And he’s barely two hours away. In fact, I’m heading there with a care package tomorrow.”

Noah long suspected his mentor was a big softy when it came to his younger brother. Troy had been a fixture in the locker room since Noah’s first season with the Blaze. Despite the former quarterback’s bluster, everyone knew how much he adored the kid.

Devlin narrowed his eyes at Noah, then gestured at a vacant stool that was too close for comfort. “Hudson has been saving you a seat. I’ll get your salad ordered. You want a glass of Prosecco with that?”

Charlotte didn’t move. Neither did Noah. Devlin appeared to be frozen, too, his gaze shifting back and forth between them like he was watching some invisible tennis match.

A gentleman stands when a lady enters the room, his mother’s voice admonished his conscience.

Noah got to his feet. “Actually, I was just leaving.”

“Interesting,” Devlin murmured.

Charlotte ducked her chin and slid onto the barstool next to the one Noah had just vacated. “There are a few paps outside. You might want to go out the back.”

Christ.

Devlin cleared his throat. “Too late. There are already a few cellphones aimed this way. I’ll make the rounds and ask them to put them away.” He clapped Noah on the shoulder. “But it might be a smart play to stay and give the people what they want for a few.”

Seriously? Hadn’t the dickhead just been riding his ass about getting involved with Charlotte?

Noah’s frustration must have shown in his expression, because a rare smile settled on Devlin’s lips.

“I’m going to have to revoke your man card if you leave this beautiful woman to eat her dinner alone.”

Shooting his mentor a WTF grin, Noah sat back down. He waved the bartender over. “Prosecco for the lady and sparkling water with lime for me.”

“I didn’t know you were here,” she murmured to the bar top.

“Yeah, your face said it all.”

She whirled her chin around to glare at him. Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she faced forward again. The bartender placed their drinks in front of them. Charlotte snatched hers up, clinking it against Noah’s glass.

“Here’s to the end of a shitty week,” she said before taking a gulp.

“I’ll drink to that.” Noah took a sip. “Although my week has been pretty stellar.”

“You enjoy dodging cameras and ignoring insinuating headlines?”

He shrugged. “Comes with the job. Although Bucky Kincaid has been abnormally quiet, so I’ll take that as a win.”

She pondered the inside of her glass. “He has, hasn’t he? Well, at least one good thing has come out of this situation.” She cocked her head to the side and shot him a smarmy grin. “You’re welcome.”

“Why is it that you’re always demanding I thank you? Especially since you’re the reason we’re in this mess.”

“Excuse me? You were the one doing the kissing.” Her gaze dropped to his mouth, lingering there for longer than necessary.

His junk was suddenly painful against the zipper of his pants.

“You didn’t seem to mind,” he drawled, mentally slapping himself for staying with the provocative subject.

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