Page 72 of The Grinder

Chapter Eight

Aly paused Friday afternoon, teeth lodged in her upper lip, thumbs poised over her phone.

Bliss’s text enticed like the promise of a strong margarita at Third and Spruce after work.

Come over to our place tonight to watch the Colonials game. Lori and Cary will be here and a few other guys from the team. We can’t wait to watch Riley and CJ again!!!

She so wanted to go. The desire was a gnawing ache in her gut.

She’d been moping most of the afternoon, figuring she’d be home watching the game by herself tonight because Vivi had to work.

For the past day, she’d thought about contacting Bliss but had talked herself out of it. The Redtails probably had a game or, if they didn’t, why would they even think to invite her along with them? She really didn’t know anyone on the team.

But Bliss hadn’t forgotten her. And she wanted to go.

But…Riley hadn’t called or texted.

Not since yesterday morning. And even though she’d picked up the phone a thousand times to contact him, she hadn’t. She hadn’t known what to say. That wasn’t right either.

She’d known exactly what she should’ve said.

“I miss you. I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to see you.”

But she also knew this was the biggest break of his career and she wanted him to succeed so she didn’t want to distract him.

If you’d even be a distraction.

Maybe he’d moved on. Maybe he’d spent the last two nights picking up women.

But she knew that wasn’t right, either. She knew there was no way Riley would screw up this chance.

Fuck it.

I would love to! Thanks for asking. What can I bring?

Glancing at the clock, she sighed when she realized she still had two hours before she could leave. And another two before the game started.

Damn, how much did that suck?

About as much as waking up this morning and wishing he was lying next to her, smiling that grin of his. The one she’d seen Monday morning. The one that made her toes curl. And the one that usually made opposing players want to punch him.

God, she was so stupid. She wanted Riley any way she could get him.

And you probably lost him for good.

No. Just…no.

She’d figure something out, even if she had to go to Philly and bang on the glass at the next home game to get his attention.

But for that, she was gonna need help.

Good thing she knew a few guys who would know exactly what to do.

* * * * *

“Riley, my friend. How are you?”

“Jake.” Riley grinned, his mood immediately lifted as he held his phone to his ear. “Hey, man. How’s it going?”

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