Page 25 of Off Season

“Well, some guys are real assholes. Like…every single one of them in this club.” I look down at his hands on my hips and raise my eyebrow.

He takes the cue and immediately removes them. “I promise you; my friends and I aren’t assholes. We’re just here to have a little fun. We have a booth. Come have a drink with us.” He holds out his hand in a more respectful manner. “I’m Daylen.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You look familiar, Daylen. Have we met before?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. Trust me, I’d remember meeting you. No bullshit, you’re the most beautiful woman in this club. What’s your name?”

At least this guy asked for it.

“Kamryn. My friends call me Kam. You can call me Kamryn.”

He smiles before lifting my hand and kissing it. “Come. Have a drink with us, Kamryn. I’m hoping you’ll let me call you Kam by the end of the night. Worst case scenario, you’ll have a few drinks and a few laughs.”

I place my hands on my hips. “I have two girlfriends with me.”

“Bring them. The more the merrier.” He points toward a back corner area. “We’re right up there.”

I look up and see a booth that is clearly being guarded bysecurity. I know enough to realize they must be famous or they wouldn’t have a roped-off booth at a club with security surrounding it. Given the size of this guy, he must be a professional athlete.

I shrug. “Maybe in a little bit. Let me check with them.”

The cocky bastard smirks again before he walks away. Amber and Trisha run up to me, practically bouncing on their feet. It’s the only smile I’ve seen Trisha crack all night. Amber excitedly screeches, “Holy shit, Daylen Humblecut just hit on you. What did he say?”

“He invited us to sit with him and his friends. Who’s Daylen Humblecut?”

Amber gives me an incredulous look. “Only one of the most famous football players on the planet. He’s the tight end for the Camels.” She fans herself. “Why is that such a hot position? Between him, Travis Kelce, and Axel Broxton, I don’t know who’s the hottest, but they arebigboys, and I like me a good old-fashioned big boy.”

I look up toward the booth again. It’s crowded. It must be filled with famous football players. Could be fun. I’m not feeling it, but this will be good for Amber. She’s a pretty girl with long, straight, auburn hair a few shades darker than Ripley’s. Guys dig ginger women. Trisha has no shot, but who knows what will happen?

I wave. “Follow me.”

Trisha fiddles nervously with the bottom of herlooks-like-she’s-about-to go-to-churchfloral sundress, complete with a white cardigan sweater. “I think I might leave.”

I shake my head. “Nope. You’re staying. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Will you let me help you a bit?”

She pinches her eyebrows together. “How so?”

I take Trisha’s hand and pull her toward the bathroom. I spend about ten minutes doing the best I can with her hair and makeup, pulling her frizzy brown hair into a more stylish ponytail and adding a little color to her pale skin. It’s a vast improvement.

Amber fixes her already perfectly applied makeup, accentuating her big, green eyes. She’s adorable. I make it a policy to never sleep with teammates, but I’d be totally into her if I met her at a club.

After finishing up in the bathroom, I lead us toward the booth. Daylen’s face lights up as we approach. Like Cheetah, he has one of those larger-than-life smiles.

Now my mind drifts to Cheetah. I can’t shake him, and it’s annoying me. Maybe I should go home with one of these guys tonight. I need Cruz Gonzales fucked out of my system.

Daylen stands. “Kamryn, please meet Vance, Beau, and Presley.” He points to each of them. “The beautiful lady next to Presley is his wife, Layla.”

Presley wraps his arm around her proudly. “Mypregnantwife, Layla.”

She’s got a very small baby bump. I wouldn’t have known she was pregnant if he didn’t mention it. She looks familiar to me, though I can’t place her. They’re an attractive Latino couple.

Vance rolls his eyes. “He manages to sneak in the fact that he knocked her up into every conversation.”

Okay, I definitely recognize Vance McCaffrey. He’s a super famous quarterback. A fucking hot-as-hell famous quarterback with longer, dark hair. Good lord, he’s sexy in a cowboy way. While the rest of the guys are dressed more stylishly, Vance is in old jeans, a flannel top, and cowboy boots, giving off thatI don’t give a fuckallure.

While Daylen smiles, Vance scowls. He’s broody. I can tell. Not my usual type, but I might make an exception to get that rugged, sharp jawline between my legs.

I nod toward Amber and Trisha while I introduce them to the gang.

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