Page 26 of Play It Off

Oh, he’s fishing. I sort of love this for me. Even though I swore when I was fifteen that I would never date a man who’s shorter than I am, I might reconsider breaking that rule.

“I’m here with a friend.” I smile. “And there’s no boyfriend.”

“Oh yeah? Cool.” He shoves his hands into his pockets, trying to look nonchalant, but I can tell he’s pleased with this information. “Maybe we could, uh, get together sometime. Catch up on the hometown gossip.”

“That sounds nice. Want me to give you my number?”

Ryland seems startled by my offer. “Yeah. Yeah, that would be great.”

He opens up his text messages and starts a new one while I rattle off my phone number. Within seconds I receive a message that says,this is Ryland. He included a smiley face emoji.

How cute.

“It was great to see you after so many years,” I tell him once he pockets his phone. I lift my bucket of popcorn up. “I should head back. The game will be starting soon.”

“It was really great running into you, Sienna.” He takes a few backward steps, lifting his hand up in a wave. “I’ll text you. Maybe we could get together next week?”

I am beaming. “That sounds perfect.”

Rylan smiles and nods, then turns and walks away while I just stand there, watching him. That was a different experience, having a guy seek me out versus me always either (a) chasing after him or (b) avoiding him like he’s trash.

For once, a man approachedme. One who seems sweet and kind, and he’s attractive. He’s not Gavin Maddox status, but I am most likely aiming too high and wasting my time with guys like that. I need to find a normal man. One who seems into me and isn’t afraid to talk to me.

Like Ryland.

Chapter ElevenSienna

It got a little sticky at one point, but eventually the Dolphins win the game, and all is good in our little world. Everleigh and I even waited for the guys to come out of the locker room after the game, which is what I usually do. Always hoping for a glimpse of Gavin even while I avoided him over the last couple of seasons.

This season? I should be still avoiding him after our conversation at Charley’s a few nights ago, but screw it. There’s a newfound confidence in me thanks to possibly going on a date with Ryland, and at the moment I feel unstoppable.

When the guys exit the locker room and we start heading out to go celebrate, I have no qualms walking right up to Gavin. “Great game today.”

He does a double take, startled by my approach. “Uh, thanks.”

“You looked good out there, QB.” My voice hopefully rings with sincerity. I want him to know that I am truly proud of him. “I mean it.”

“I appreciate that, Sienna.” He sends a soft smile my way, and I do my best to steel my heart, but it’s no use.

Seeing that smile melts me.

“You came to the game with Everleigh?” he asks, trying to keep up our conversation.

“I did. She’s really sweet. Did you know she’s never been to a football game before?”

He seems shocked. “Not even in high school?”

I shake my head. “Can you believe it?”

“No, I can’t. My entire life has been around football.”

“Same,” I murmur, thinking of all the youth-league games we went to when we were younger. By the time I was in high school, I gave up on cheer and wanted to do something on my own. I was on the volleyball team my freshman year, and while I had the height, I was awkward with the ball. I shifted to track that spring and never looked back, participating in it all four years of high school.

Decided not to pursue it in college, though. I was over it. My athlete years are done.

“You coming with us to Charley’s or heading home?” Gavin asks me.

“Going to Charley’s. I mean, what else am I going to do on a Saturday night?” I shrug.

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