Page 102 of How to Prevent a Fumble

I turn, finding her head peeking out the door. “Yeah?”

“Please be good, okay? I really don’t want to do any more damage control than we have to, alright?”

“I’ll be a good boy just for you, Briar.”

Her cheeks flush in an instant.

The boys and I stand in the main club part of the bar, drinks in hand. Emmett got his usual beer—an IPA, like the pretentious dick he is—while Cooper has some fruity little drink because he can’t shoot nearly anything else. Literally.

“Are we planning the bye week vacation soon?” Emmett asks, taking a long sip. “I need to find someone to bring and watch my daughter.”

Emmett has always been one of my best friends ever since he was drafted to the team. But it wasn’t until two years later that he opened up about his wife dying when his daughter was only six months old. He doesn’t talk about it often, and he doesn’t like leaving his daughter alone with most people. He’s protective of her, especially since she’s growing up without a real mother figure in her life.

The man has done everything he can to ensure that she gets what she needs, and I respect the hell out of the man.

“Yeah, I think next week we should take a look.”

“Did you ask Briar if she’s going with you?” he asks, leaning against the wall.

I purse my lips, about to lie. Because I haven’t asked her yet. It slipped my mind, as it’s not coming for weeks. But I also can’t expect her to just drop everything she may have in order to go with me. And Elara may have school, which she’d have to be taken out of for the week.

So instead of lying, I shake my head. “I’ll do that tomorrow,” I say simply.

As Cooper and Emmett start talking about the latest episode of some crime show they’ve been watching, I watch the door, hoping and praying a certain blonde walks through, but knowing she won’t.

But when it opens and Dirwin walks in, a smile stretches across my face.

Dirwin is one of the best backup quarterbacks I’ve worked with, and although we haven’t talked a ton lately, he’s been doing amazing in practice. Almost too good to be backup worthy, in my opinion. He’s also in the lead in my fantasy league at the moment, so it’s time to shake him down a little.

“Hey!” I put my hand up, getting his attention. He smiles, pointing to the bar.

It’s when I turn to the other two men that a pit settles in my stomach.

There’s women everywhere, and there’s now a group forming around Cooper and Emmett, who look happier than ever to get the attention.

But I don’t want attention, and as I feel the alcohol hit me little by little, I know that I’m far too unstable for this right now.

Therapy. Right. I need to call my agent tomorrow and askthem to find me the best therapist there is and get me an appointment… for this week.

“Why are we here?” I ask them over the loud club music.

Cooper gives me a sidelong glance before he meets Emmett’s questioning stare. “What do you mean? We come here every Monday.”

I shake my head, setting my drink on the table to my left. “No, why are we here right now. Like why am I here with you guys?”

“To hang out?”

“But we’re not. Not really, right? We come here to have fun sometimes, sure. But you guys are here to talk to women”

One of the women hanging off Cooper scowls at me as if I personally offended her. Hey, I get it. Cooper is hot as hell. I’d do the same exact thing if I were her.

Emmett rolls his eyes and lets out a loud sigh. “Man, if you want to go home to Briar, just do it. We don’t need the dramatics, okay?”

And it falls into place.

“Yeah, I’ll see you guys on Wednesday.”

And with that, I head home.

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