Page 46 of The Check Down

Even if that almost-kiss haunts my dreams. And my waking hours. Because if he’s so intent on remaining friends, why the hell did he study my mouth like he was dying for a taste of it?

The rest of the meal passes without invasive questions. Mostly, the women regale me with tales of what it’s like to have a famous athlete for a partner. Several safe questions about my life are lobbed my way, as well, so I’m included in the conversation far more than I expected when I arrived.

“See? That wasn’t so bad.” Paige waves goodbye to the rest of the group from the sidewalk, then she links her arm through mine and leads me to our parking spot down the street. “Sorry about Shannon. Her filter’s wonky sometimes, but I promise she’s harmless.”

“Thank you for including me. It really means a lot. And everyone was super friendly.” A lump forms in my throat, but I blink back the emotion before it has a chance to dig in. For the first time since I moved here, I have a handful ofrealfriends.

“Of course, girlie.” She bumps her shoulder into mine as we amble to her SUV. “When we met, I knew you’d be special to me. I had that meant-to-be feeling, you know?”

I nod, too choked up to respond. I suppose maybe I sensed it, too, though it’s been so long since I’ve connected with anyone that I didn’t trust it.

“When you meet someone, but you could swear you’ve known them your whole life? I have a knack for these things.” She sighs, a smile tipping her lips. “I knew I was going to marry Beau within five minutes of meeting him. Gah.” Her expression instantly dulls. “I hate away-game weekends,” she pouts. “And two in a row is the worst.”

The Blues eked out a win in New York last weekend, and today, Griffin and his teammates are flying to Washington after their morning walk-throughs and meetings. I imagine two weekends away from one’s significant other would be hard. Funny how it never bothered me when Jack traveled with the team.

We’re a few feet from the car when she says, “Beau said that Griff is nervous about this Washington game.”

Heart fluttering—its default when a certain tight end is mentioned or in my proximity—I draw to a stop and twist to face her. “Why is he nervous?”

“He was injured on their field last season. When that late hit dislocated his shoulder and tore his labrum?”

My heart sinks. “I knew he was injured last season and needed surgery, but I didn’t know this game was weighing on him.” I roll my lips together and study the grass separating the street from the sidewalk, making a mental note to text Griffin some words of encouragement when I get home.

“Hey…Brynn.” Paige’s soft voice shifts my focus back to her. “He’ll be all right. It’s what they do—they get back on the horse.” She nods to reassure me, and I copy her head bobs with my own. “And you know how I said I have a knack for knowing things immediately when I meet people?”

“Yeah?”

She purses her raspberry-glossed lips. “You and Mr. Racy Lacey?” she says, a brow arched. “I’m not sure which one of y’all is in denial, or if it’s both of you. But there is nothingjust friendsabout this whole situationship.”

I open my mouth to protest, but Paige grabs my hand and squeezes.

“Don’t worry, though,” she insists. “Your secret’s safe with me. But if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here for you. And I promise not to tell Beau. The man is a bigger gossip than his Great-Aunt Clara.”

Paige spends the drive back to Griffin’s trying to convince me to travel with her to the away game in two weeks.

I find myself wanting to say yes; it’s in Charlotte, which is a short flight from Memphis. And it’s in the same time zone as my parents. It may seem silly, but it would make me feel closer to them.

After Paige drops me off, I slip off my shoes, light my favorite candle, and cozy up on the huge sectional sofa. As my body melts into the soft leather, I regard my phone. What should I say to Griffin?You got this?Break a leg, but not a shoulder?

My phone buzzes in my hand, making me flinch, but when I see who the message is from, my heart double-times.

Griffin

This is me. On the plane. With nothing to read.

A selfie comes through next. He’s propped his chin on a fist, and he’s gazing out the plane window with a bored expression on his handsome face. I take a moment to appreciate the way his broad shoulders fill the frame. Then I zoom in. An immediate warmth flushes through me as I admire the shape of his lips and how blue his eyes are in this shot. Like a kid worried about being caught with her hand in a candy jar, I zoom out and glance around the empty apartment.

Crossword puzzles for the win!

Griffin

I finished the last book. Mom’s supposed to bring me more next weekend.

I hear mobile games are all the rage these days.

C’mon, professor. I’m in the mood to get lost in an epic story.

Paige did mention his concerns about this game. A distraction would probably help. Before I have a chance to second-guess myself, I navigate to my drive and shareDraig 1.0with Griffin’s personal email address. Then I squeeze my eyes tight and hold my breath until another message buzzes through.

---