Page 30 of Not By the Playbook

“Shut up, Connor.” I shoot him a look. “And I'm not the only one with a new roommate. How is Allie, anyway?”

A flush rises on his cheeks, and it’s his turn to grunt. “Fine. She’s only staying until she’s better.” Connor was caught up in a robbery two days ago that could have turned out badly.

We’re interrupted by the media calling for their post-game interviews. I pay extra attention to the commentators. After that, we shower and get ready.

Rebecca is waiting outside the locker room as planned. “Congratulations,” she wishes. A smile sits on her lips, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Did she not enjoy the game?

“Thanks.” I lean down, take her into my arms, and give her a deep kiss. She stiffens for a moment before relaxing and entwining her own arms around me. I take that as permission to kiss her again.

“Ready for Pinks?” Jake asks. Win or lose, it’s the bar we always end up at after our games. Usually, I’m leading the group, all set to pick out the girl for the evening.

“We're going to pass.” I wrap an arm around Becs’s shoulder and draw her close when she seems like she might pull away. I brush my mouth against her temple, ignoring Jake and Connor’s smug grins. My middle finger rises at them behind Rebecca’s back.

“Fine, let these two lovebirds go and do whatever lovebirds do. C’mon, Con,” Jake says.

“You know what, I don’t mind an early night myself.” Connor avoids our eyes.

“Oh?” Now it’s my turn to smirk.

Jake looks from Connor to me and sighs. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t, kids.”

I smirk. That list isn’t very long.

“Shall we?” I offer Rebecca my arm. She hesitates for a second before she takes it.

We say goodbye to my teammates and walk hand in hand to the exit, but the moment we are out of sight, Rebecca says, “I didn’t know we had plans.”

“We don’t.” My only goal is getting her home and eating her out.

She frowns. “Then why didn’t you go spend time with the team? Celebrate with your fans.” I don’t like how closed-off her expression is.

“No.” I'm not spending a night without her if I can help it.

“Logan, I don't need to play the good girlfriend in public.” Becs won’t meet my gaze, even tries to pull back. I frown, but don’t let go. I don’t know why she’s acting so distant. I’m tempted to ask. Jenna’s not the only mule-head in the family. Maybe I should tell her how I feel now? I slant a glance at her, but my heart falters at her closed look.

My track record for relationships is nonexistent. Tomorrow’s soon enough to fuck this up.

I summon a cocky smile. “Well, then you can play the good girlfriend in private and give your boyfriend a massage. Ease his troubles.” I give her a conspiratorial wink.

That makes her laugh, and the tension eases.

I sling my arm around her and guide her to the parking lot.

“You don’t need to act all boyfriend-y now, you know,” Rebecca says. “Jenna, Carrie, and your parents left earlier.”

I stop and wait for her to face me. “Who's acting? Idowant a back massage for my troubles. And if you can, finish that with a happy ending,” I wag my brows at her, “complete with sound effects. I'd appreciate that, too. At least Jenna will think I’m good forsomething.”

Chapter Eighteen

Friday

LOGAN

“I got it,”Becs whispers, her unfocused gaze trained on the phone she’s clutching with both hands. She blinks and lifts awestruck eyes to me.

“The job?” I ask. A slow smile breaks on my face.

“Logan, I got it!” I only have a moment to brace myself before she rushes me and jumps into my arms. Her hands lock around my neck as she twines monkey legs around my hips. “I can’t believe it.” Rebecca’s grin is blinding. I know mine mirrors it. I kiss her deeply then spin her around, both of us laughing like loons.

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