Page 73 of Play It Off

I don’t know what it’s going to be like if and when Gavin and I become public. He gets far more attention than Nico does. Or any of the other players on the team for that matter. Will people freak out or be supportive of us as a couple?

But I’m starting to think he’s getting sick of pretending too. When we are in public together, he gets a little grabbier when I’m close. Looks at me with this tender glow in his eyes, like I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to him. I can tell Nico’s noticed, but he’s not saying anything. My brother, though?

Still hopelessly clueless.

That’s why I gave in to Gavin’s pleading last night and decided to go to Charley’s to hang out with the team after today’s game. And what a game it was. Downright magical—and the day was too. I wasscreaming my head off in the stands with Everleigh when they sent Frank in during the last quarter of the game since he’s been benched most of the season thanks to a shoulder injury. And when he intercepted the ball and scored a touchdown? I about lost my mind.

The only bummer was that Nico got hurt and was out of the game, but according to everyone, he’s fine, thank goodness. He got a concussion, but it’s a minor one, and he’s feeling okay, according to Everleigh’s recent text. Talk about relief. I adore that man, even though he can drive me crazy sometimes, but he’s always been a good friend to me. They all are, especially Everleigh. She’s been so supportive and makes time to hang out with me, even though she’s so busy with everything going on in her life.

The guilt is getting to me, though. I feel bad, lying to everyone about Gavin and I being together. Will they be mad at us when they find out the truth? Probably. We’re pretty convincing, pretending that we don’t want to be near each other. They all think I hate him and that he avoids me.

And while I don’t regret what we’re doing, I hope everyone will understand why we did this. Our reasoning might be dumb to them, but we understand each other, Gavin and I. And that’s all that counts.

When I get to Charley’s I wander around the bar, surprised by all the friendly greetings I get from the various football players when they first spot me. When I go up to them, every single one mentions that they’ve missed having me around. I get a lot of hugs too. It’s kind of shocking because I didn’t realize they noticed me when I was there. I swear, I felt like I blended in to the furniture most of the time, and now they’re all acting like I’m their long-lost, much-missed friend.

Life is so weird.

“Is Nico here with Everleigh?” I ask once we’re all seated at the usual tables the staff at Charley’s keeps reserved for the team.

“No. Once the docs cleared him, they went out to dinner with his mom.” Coop lifts his brows, sending me a meaningful look.

“I’m glad he got cleared.” Coop is still sending me that same look. “And I’m not surprised they went out with his mom. She seemed to get along great with Everleigh.”

“Don’t you think it’s a big deal that Nico took Everleigh to go out with his mom? They’re close. He runs everything by his mama, and he’s never had a girl meet her,” Coop explains. “I think they’re getting serious.”

From the way Ever talks about Nico, I don’t doubt for an instant that they’re serious. “I think it’s great. They’re good for each other.”

“I agree with you. And I see the way he acts around Ever. He’s fallen for her. Hard. He’s definitely in it with this girl.” Coop brings his beer bottle to his lips, tipping his head back and taking a long swig.

“In what?” I stare at my glass of water, sort of wishing I had a fruity cocktail to drink instead. Since I rarely go out to the bars anymore, I’ve been focusing more on my health. It helps having Everleigh guiding me since she’s studying to be a nutritionist and she has great advice. I’ve cut back on my alcohol intake, as well as sugar and carbs, and I’ve been working out more. Everleigh and I have private yoga sessions a couple of times a week, and I’ve been running around the track at school. I’ve even lost some weight, though that wasn’t my goal when I started this endeavor. I wanted to be healthier and have a clearer mind.

Instead of worrying about everything I can’t control, I gained some clarity about my life and my goals. I feel better and look better, and I’m more confident.

“Nico is in it for the long run with Everleigh. He’s in love with her.” Coop sets his beer bottle on the table, then reaches for the damp label and shreds it with his fingers.

“Did he tell you that?”

“No, but it’s obvious. We can all see it.”

He’s right. We can. Can people see it between Gavin and me? I haven’t said it out loud to him, but I’m in love with Gavin. I’ve crushed on him for what feels like forever, and now that we spendtime together, my feelings have only intensified. It has to be love. What else could it be?

And that’s serious. I’m in love with Gavin Maddox. Is he in love with me? I think so. I hope so. He acts like he is, but who knows? Maybe it’s just raging lust. He does want to have sex with me all the time, but I feel the same way. It only gets better between us every time. I let him do whatever he wants to me, and trust when I say he wants to do a lot of things to me. With me. It’s wonderful. He’s wonderful.

A soft sigh escapes me. I’ve got it so tremendously bad for that man. Maybe that’s why he wants to tell everyone. He feels the same way about me.

Coop and I end up being the only ones at our table, and it’s weird, how Gavin hasn’t shown up yet. Dollar is standing in front of the other table nearby, retelling his game story for about the millionth time. He’s animated, his arms gesturing everywhere, and I’m sure the story gets wilder the more he repeats it, but everyone is humoring him because after being benched for the whole season, to get that chance to make such an epic play ...

His teammates understand. They get it. Dollar is now a bit of a legend, and they’re letting him revel in it.

“You dating anyone?” Coop asks me seemingly out of nowhere.

I freeze, shocked by his question, and I tell myself to relax.

“What? No, not at all.” I shake my head, still a little thrown and trying to play it off. I probably sound too defensive, but he caught me off guard. “Lately I’m in bed by nine every night.”

With Gavin most of the time,but I don’t say that out loud. Coop would probably freak out.

“Boring.” He nudges me with his elbow, and I slide away from his reach, sending him a glare, though I’m not mad. “When did you turn into such an old maid?”

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