Page 63 of The Player's Obsession

“It was kinda creepy,” she adds. “But when he explained he was on the team and pulled up his profile on the website, it looked like him. I think he’s either a doppelgänger, or it’s really Oliver Rowe.”

“At dinner, we just hit it off,” I finish. The words tumble out unrehearsed as we finish each other’s sentences. It’s easier than I expected.

I feel less of a liar because we really did have dinner. Come to think of it, Travis and Rose had a quickie romance and marriage in Vegas. He was supposed to get on a plane with the team after a game. The next thing we know, he’s married to Rose.

“I love your ring,” Rose says, lifting Penelope’s hand for a closer look.

“Thank you.” Penelope smiles and looks from the ring to me. She’s glowing like a woman in love, and I take a mental snapshot of this moment. I’ve never understood the significance of a big ring, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to impress everyone, especially my ex.

“We haven’t eaten yet. Is there any food around?” I ask.

“I believe there’s a buffet table on the other side of the bar. Penelope, come with me and we’ll get food for the guys,” Rose suggests. The women place their glasses on the bar and disappear into the crowd.

“What’s going on?” Travis asks.

“I’m happy, what can I say?”

“I can tell. You can’t stop grinning. If I didn’t know better, I’d call bullshit. You’ve been moping around about Melanie for months, and suddenly, you’re engaged to someone you just met. That has to be a land-speed dating record.”

“I had to accept Melanie’s decision and move on. It wasn’t easy. I’m used to getting what I want. I like to win. Probably because my dad loves a winner. Love is like football in that we can’t win every game. It would be nice, but it would also get boring after a while.”

“Not if you’re the quarterback.” Travis grins and finishes his drink.

The women return, each carrying two plates of finger foods. Penelope hands me a plate. I use a toothpick to skewer shrimp. Penelope lifts a cracker with cheese to her mouth.

I glance around the room and nod to my teammates when we catch each other’s eye.

“How many people are here for the wedding?” Penelope asks.

“I heard close to three hundred, but not everyone is invited to this party. There’s supposed to be singing later.”

“Singing? A cover band, here?” I ask.

“Karaoke. Don’t you ever read an invitation? I’m surprised you managed to get here with your lack of social etiquette,” Travis teases.

“My etiquette is fine, it’s my timing that needs help.” I avoided telling him I didn’t have a date for the wedding. Only my brother knows I had no plus-one until the last minute.

“I think your timing is just fine,” Penelope says, delivering the line with an all-knowing smile.

Travis almost chokes on his crostini, and Rose chuckles while she pounds on his back.

I chuckle, amused by her impeccable timing, and to think that we haven’t even had sex.

The bar breaks out in cheers, and we look at the doorway in time to see Nathan and Melanie walk in hand in hand. They smile, basking in the attention as someone announces their names over the speakers. I see a woman with a microphone on stage and realize she’s the emcee.

We join in with cheering while the happy couple makes their way to the other side of the room and disappear from sight.

“Now I know you all are having a great time,” the emcee says. “However, tonight, we’re partaking in one of Melanie and Nathan’s favorite pastimes.”

There are more cheers from the crowd.

“What is it?” Penelope whispers in my ear.

“I have no clue.”

She nods, sharing my confusion. I take her empty plate, add it to mine and deposit them on the bar. I signal the bartender we need four glasses of champagne and hand them out like Halloween candy.

“I need everyone to come over here and sign up for karaoke.” I emcee is looking for participants to sing.

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