Page 14 of Sack

“I’m going to run upstairs and change.”

He turned back to Ivy when she spoke. Her cheeks were flaming almost as dark as the new red streaks in her hair.

“Wait,” he called, halting her as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “You don’t need to change.” Though he figured her disappearing act was for another reason altogether—namely the asshole.

She looked down at herself. “I’m overdressed.”

That was his fault. He shouldn’t have worn something so casual, but he had come straight from practice and hadn’t thought to bring anything dressier with him that morning. “Please don’t go to the trouble of changing.” He could tell she’d made an effort. “You look perfect.”

“Really, I’ll feel more comfortable.”

He conceded with a nod, not wanting to be the cause of more unease.

The guy had moved into the kitchen and was staring into the fridge. He popped his head around the side of the door. “You want a beer?”

“No thanks.” He didn’t usually drink during the season, and he was also driving. And Colt never drank and drove.

Beer in one hand, the guy navigated around the kitchen island, coming back into the living room, and held out his free hand. “Name’s Jason. I’m a huge fan.”

Colt glared at the guy’s hand. What he would like to do was ignore it and tell the guy to fuck off. Sadly, that wasn’t an option. Though he’d never be dubbed theNicest Guy in the Worldby the media, he’d always been careful not to let his emotions show in public. He’d also worked hard to never disappoint a fan.

He shook the guy’s hand and forced a smile. “Thanks.” There. Pleasantly neutral.

“Would you like to sit down? Ivy might be a few minutes, struggling over what to change into.”

“Do you always criticize her in front of others?” That was twice now he’d done it.

Jason flopped into a recliner, set his beer on a side table, and shrugged. “It’s what we do.”

Colt had no idea why Ivy was friends with the guy. One of her many mysteries he planned to find out.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to make idle conversation with Jason for long. In less than five minutes, Ivy came bounding down the stairs. She’d matched his outfit of t-shirt and jeans, though hers hugged her curves like a second skin.

“I’m ready.”

She sounded winded, and like any true guy, of their own accord, his eyes fell to her chest and were met by some strange-looking tree dude who declared his name was Groot.

“Let me just grab my bag and we can leave.”

He forced himself to acknowledge Jason as they walked out the door. “Good meeting you.”

“You t—”

Colt shut the door, cutting off anything else Jason said.

“So, that guy, Jason, have you known him long?” Colt asked as they strolled down the sidewalk leading to guest parking.

Ivy laughed, having him turning his head so he could witness it. “I’ve known him my whole life.” At his frown, she elaborated, “He’s my brother.”

That explained their dynamic, though Colt still didn’t think he should be airing that shit in front of strangers. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her just that, but at the last second, he decided it was none of his damn business and veered the conversation a different direction. “Do you like pizza?”

“What’s not to like? Chewy crust. Gooey cheese. Spicy pepperoni.”

“You left out the tangy sauce.”

“So I did. And really, it’s the most important part. A bad sauce can ruin the whole pizza.” Keeping on the subject, she added, “Did you know, Norwegians consume the most pizza in the world?”

No, he didn’t, but he was fascinated. “Really? I thought it would be the U.S.”

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