Page 60 of The Penalty

Xavier’s attention was off-camera. A soft, adoring gaze replaced the lusty, beckoning stare from the other photos. It was subtle, but his lips curved in a gentle smile.

He appeared enamored with something.

One of the butterflies that took up residence in my stomach flailed.

He’s looking at me.

“Best burgers and milkshakes in the city, huh?” Xavier’s impish grin dragged me out of my thoughts.

Our server placed the food and drinks in front of us. We’d decided to grab lunch at a nearby diner before I had to get back to the stadium.

Needless to say, I’ve been less than attentive since leaving the photoshoot. I couldn’t get over the way he looked at me in that picture.

“Yep. Says so on the menu.”

“People toss around the word best to describe everything.”

I gave him a look. “What? Like you’re the best goalkeeper in the world?”

He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “I am.”

“The ego.”

His pleasant laugh sent a shiver through me.

An array of condiments sat on the table. Xavier scrutinized them before choosing ketchup.

“I don’t have to put ranch dressing on anything, do I?”

“No, Your Highness.” I cut my burger in half.

“You sound like Cade.” He grinned, tapping my foot under the table. “I bumped into Noah and Tre early this morning at the training facility.”

I almost choked on the bite I’d just taken. Noah and Tre? Oh God.

“Don’t look so panicked. We talked a bit. Good lads. Anyway, Noah really wants us to go to his cookout. I know it’s your birthday, so I wanted to see if there was anything else you’d rather do before I text him.”

Good lads? TEXT HIM?

I swallowed the mostly chewed piece of burger. I can see him maybe getting over the whole jealousy thing with Noah since he was never a threat. But Tre?

I can’t imagine he would be totally fine socializing with a guy I had sex with months before we met. Granted, it was only a one night stand, but still.

Possessive Xavier was not something to be messed with. Neither was Jealous Xavier.

I washed down my food with the milkshake. My phone vibrated.

Unknown: Did you like the surprise?

I glanced at the number. Who’s texting me from a Chicago area code?

“Work stuff?” Xavier asked before biting into his burger.

“Wrong number.” I deleted the text. “Do you want to spend the Fourth of July with Noah and the guys?” I popped a french fry in my mouth.

“I want to be wherever you are. Besides, Bennet and Cade will be in town as well. Might as well make it an event.”

“What’s Cade been up to this summer? I miss his goofy personality.”

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