Page 140 of The Stud

Odd.

“I’m hoping to be an actress,” the female who can’t be much younger than me quickly explains, “so I’m constantlyuploading stuff to my feed that I think would catch a talent agent’s attention.”

Less odd.

“What did you think of that take?” She indulges in a tiny sip. “Should we do it again?”

“I am fairly certain twice was adequate.”

Giggles are given yet cut off when she sees my teammate. “Ohmygod, you’re Peck!”

He gives the back of his neck an uncomfortable scratch. “Uh…yeah?”

“You’re my other favorite player.”

“Snowman, your first?”

“Yes…” She lets her teeth steal a brazen bite of her bottom lip. “But only because he’s single.”

I am not.

“We allknoowwwwthe ‘secret girlfriend’ thing is just a publicity stunt.”

It isn’t.

“Sorrrryyyyy, like…whowouldn’t be all over him, all the time, for like everyone to see if he were actually off the market, ya know?”

I am romantically off the market, and first thing tomorrow morning, I’m letting Coach know.

Arden’s surgery is less than a week away, and I want to be there.

I’mgoingto be there for it.

Yes, it is just an in and out procedure, but Iwantto have her back.

Be on the assist.

The one who holds her hand and promises it’ll all be alright when it’s over.

I’ve never asked for time off; therefore, I cannot imagine Coach denying me the scratch, yet once I explain thewhoit’s for part, I know I’ll be sent to Hot Rocket to possibly be cut.

And I say possibly because in theory ifItell her…ifIapproachherregarding the situation…explainIpursued Ducky – though I won’t call her Ducky during the revealing – then the blame will fall on me to which I can remind her of the streak I’ve helped us keep up, the extra coverage I’ve delivered in Cap’s current new dad absence, and being the face of the mini docuseries she wants to continue into the future seasons, the same docuseries that helped get us into this position to begin with meaning it’s allherfault we fell in love.

Okay.

I need to rethink that last line.

It’s probably bestnotto blame the owner forusbreaking the rules.

“You think I can get a picture with you two?” She brings her cup up to her glossed lips. “Together?”

Why does that sound more porntastic than it should?

“Yeah no, no problem,” Peck replies, preparing to ditch the LMC accessory covering the front of him.

“Aprons on,” purrs Pattssee.

Not gagging is difficult yet relocating to the other side of the counter isn’t.

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