Page 44 of The Check Down

“This game ages you.” He finishes off his beer and signals the waitress to close his tab. “Plus, this was never my scene, even in college. And Paigey would kick my ass if I came home wasted on a weeknight.”

“Ah, the old ball and chain.” My tone is lighthearted, at odds with the heaviness settling in my limbs. I’m fucking jealous that I don’t have someone soft and warm waiting for me at home like my friend does. Though I’d never admit that out loud, even after a couple of beers.

Youcouldhave someone like that waiting for you at home, you dumbass. I wash the thought away with another swig of the brew.

Beau studies me a moment, thoughtful. “Where’s your roommate tonight?” This fucker. He’s been tenacious about this lately.

“I’m not her keeper, you ass.”

He rewards me with a cocky smirk.

“But if you must know, she’s working at the campus library.”

He crosses his arms, his lips tipping higher, the expression growing more obnoxious by the second. I don’t tell him it was on the tip of my tongue to invite her, even though our group text said “boyz night only,” and I certainly don’t tell him that the thought of her wanting to cook a special dinner for my birthday makes my insides gooey.

“You’d be her keeper in a heartbeat if you thought she wanted that.”

The smugness in his tone makes me blurt, “Who says she doesn’t want that?”

Beau’s brows reach for his perfectly styled hairline, but he doesn’t respond.

“I mean,” I stammer. “I think she might be…” The words dissolve before I can finish the thought. A deep-seated loyalty to Brynn won’t let me admit the truth to the guy who’s quickly become a confidant.

“Getting too attached?” he guesses. His smug expression has morphed into a concerned frown.

“Maybe.” I sigh. “We had a moment, earlier today, and I…” A vision of those big brown eyes and soft pink lips assaults me. God, I wanted to kiss her so fucking bad. “I’m worried I’m sending her mixed signals.”

Every one of these conflicting feelings bubbling under the surface is a huge-ass red flag, warning me to step back, put some distance between Brynn and me.

“Look, I’m Team Lacey all the way.” Beau uncrosses his arms and tilts forward and rests his clasped hands on the table. “But if she’s into you, and you’re into her, would it be so bad to pursue this, see if it could be something real?”

Something real? Some days, Brynn is the most real thing in my life. Football can be a fickle mistress—the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It’s a lesson we all learn the hard way. But when I was escorted to the locker room at the end of last season, in so much pain I could hardly think straight, I vowed that I wouldn’t let the game end me that way. I would fight tooth and nail to come back swinging. Then, after I’d gone under the knife to repair my shoulder, my team let me go, and depression descended like a suffocating blanket. My mother and Tucker had to coax me out of bed while I rehabbed at home. The chance the football gods have given me here? I can’t fuck it up.

No matter how tempting it is to give in to my desire for Brynn.

Beau’s silent as I work through my thoughts. I clear my throat and lock eyes with him. “Itcouldbe something real,” I say, practically shouting over the heavy beats of the music. “But football needs to be my number one right now. Maybe after the season—”

“If she’s still available.”

With an impatient huff, I push away the panic that hits me. “If she’s still available.”

“You know the best way to clear up those mixed signals?” Beau lifts his chin toward the dance floor, where two girls grind on one of my teammates. “Take another woman home tonight. That’ll drive home that ‘just friends’ message loud and clear.” He actually air quotesjust friends—smug Beau has returned.

“Maybe I will.” The lie makes me nauseous. There’s no way in hell I’m bringing another woman into my bed when the one I want is sleeping one floor above me.

An hour later, after making sure Greenway and Jefferson get into the correct Uber, I wave good night to my QB and head home—alone.

Chapter nine

Brynn

“I’m telling y’all, if Carlos proposes, I’m keeping my maiden name.” The table erupts with laughter.

I smile at the women seated around the table, though the joke is lost on me.

Paige, clearly reading my confusion, tips closer. “She’s dating Carlos, on the O-line.”

Smile still planted, I give a little shake of my head.

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