Page 82 of Golden Rule

Honestly, I don’t care even a little, but I’m pretty sure small talk is supposed to warm people up.

“Depends on how you count up the years,” he answers. “I started shadowing my uncle on job sites when I was thirteen, but I established myself as a professional a decade ago, when I turned twenty.”

I nod, still not caring, but hopefully this makes itlooklike I do.

“Nice.”

“I hear you’ve played football since high school,” he says. “I imagine you’realwayson the go since going pro, though. Ready for the upcoming season?”

I nod, remembering Blue’s plea that I play nice as I soften the look on my face a bit. “I am. Training camp is coming up, then we’ve got the season opener in about six weeks. Feels like it flew by.”

“I’ve never been much of an athlete myself,” he says, “but I’ve always appreciated the physicality, the dedication to the game. It’s admirable, I… just don’t think I could cope with the lifestyle.”

My brow arches. “The lifestyle?”

He nods, then leans forward to rest his elbows on the table when he gets a little more comfortable. “Yeah, I mean, all that traveling? That has to wear a guy down. I just don’t think I’d be cut out for it, especially if I had a wife I had to leave home, or God forbid kids. It just seems like a lot to juggle, you know?”

I’m not sure if there was a hidden meaning in that statement, but it feels like it, so I decide to trust my gut.

“And yet, so many of us juggle it just fine, Seth. Guess it just takes a particular kind of man to manage a high-stakes careerwhile still being able totake care of his wife. I appreciate your insight, though.”

Blue gives my thigh a light squeeze underneath the table, and I suppose that means I’m misbehaving.

“Right,” Seth says, an uncomfortable smile forming on his lips. “I’ll make sure I check out a few of your games once the season starts.”

I smile back, holding his gaze. “You do that.”

Scar’s timing is perfect as she walks up to our table, flashing a weary smile when she glances toward Seth. There’s a Joss lookalike trailing behind her in one of those powder blue uniforms Blue still has nightmares about.

“What’s up?” Scar says, and I don’t miss how she shoots Seth another quick side-eye. It reminds me of what Blue mentioned about her sister getting the same impressionIgot.

That Seth wants more from Blue than her business.

“Hey, Peyton,” Blue says, peeking around Scar. “Look at you, moving up from hostess to waitress.”

Peyton offers a shy wave. “Hey. Yeah, I’m shadowing Scar this week, then Dusty thinks I’ll be ready to fly solo after that. Fingers crossed,” she smiles.

“You’ll do fine. IfIcould wait tables here,anyonecan do it,” Blue laughs.

“She isn’t lying,” Scar mumbles, then smiles big. “You guys ready to order?”

Blue reaches across me to thump her sister on her knuckles, prompting Scar to snarl as she shakes off the sting.

“Correction,” Scar says, “is anyone who isn’tBlueready to order?”

Seth smiles. “Just coffee for me.”

“Water with lemon,” Blue says, prompting Scar to glance toward me next.

“Same, but no lemon.”

“No one wants actual food? Uncle Dusty says it’s on the house,” Scar adds.

Blue glances toward me and Seth to see if either of us wants to add anything. Then, she shakes her head. “Nope, all good.”

Scar shrugs. “Cool. Be back in a sec.”

Before Seth and I can venture off into another rousing conversation, Blue speaks up.

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