Page 1 of Dating the Grump

CHAPTER 1

HUNT

My former teammates are killing me. There are five minutes left in the game, and they can't get their shit together.

"Come the fuck on," I growl, glaring at the big screen hanging in the corner of the Park Avenue Bar as they fumble the ball for the third time this quarter. Maybe I shouldn't have retired. They might actually have a shot at the Super Bowl again if I were still on the field. At this rate, it's not happening. Their new quarterback isn't doing them any favors.

Then again, neither was I. My shoulder is busted. A QB with a busted shoulder is about as good as the jackass currently on the field.

Fuck.

My phone dings as Coach Bixby calls a timeout to ream their asses yet again. I drag it from my pocket, reluctantly pulling my eyes from the television screen.

Unknown

You signed up with us for a reason, Hunt.

Fuck my life. Not this shit again.

Me

Who is this?

I know precisely who it is, but I tap the button to send the message anyway. The lady who runs the dating agency—at least, I assume she's a lady—has been hounding me since I signed up two weeks ago. I'm not even sure why the fuck I did it. Actually, that's not entirely true.

I'm new in town, just got here a month ago. And Silver Spoon Falls is full of motherfuckers happily in love, including my old college teammate, Bronx Kaiser. For about two minutes, I considered what it'd feel like to be in his shoes. I was envious as hell watching him with his girl.

So, when I saw the ad in the paper, I signed up.

The lady in charge hasn't left me alone since. She's been trying to arrange a date for me damn near every day for the last week. I've shot them all down. I'm not the dating type. Hell, I'm not the company type right now.

I just want to be left the hell alone to mourn the end of my career in solitude.

Unknown

The maker of your fate. Stop avoiding it.

I crack a smile despite myself. I have to admit, the lady is tenacious. And moderately amusing when she isn't pissing me off.

Me

I don't believe in fate. Stop bugging me.

Unknown

You're the one who signed up and paid us. I'm not going away until you accept one date with one client.

Me

No.

Unknown

Yes.

Me

Consider yourself fired.

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