Page 6 of Catching Feelings

The food is ready around the same time and her eyes grow wide when she sees how full my hands are.

“Worked up quite the appetite in that dunk booth, did you?” She sets her tray on a picnic table and I take the seat across from her.

“Figured we could share. Just don’t hog all the onion rings. They’re my favorite.” I spread out the food and hand her a chicken bomb and a burger.

“I can’t eat both of these.”

“That’s why I only ordered two of each. I’ll finish what you don’t eat.”

“You can seriously eat two burgersandchicken?”

“Have you seen me?” I glide my hands down my torso. “It takes a lot of fuel to keep this engine running.”

“I guess so.”

We talk about the success of the event, the upcoming football season, and Riley and Walker’s baby. When we crumple our trash and toss it in the garbage, I brainstorm ways to spend more time with Rowan.

“Do you think they’re going to have a girl or a boy?”

“I hope a girl. I’d love to see Walker wrapped around her little finger like Nash is with Paisley.”

Funny that the two guys I’m closest with on the team are married and have kids. Nash was a single dad to Paisley for six years before he met Kendall. With the way Nash and Kendall are all over each other, no doubt Paisley will have a little sibling in no time.

I used to hang out with the single guys more often. Declan, our quarterback, and I are pretty close, but he’s only twenty-four and is often with the young guys. Not that thirty-two is old, but in the NFL world, it means you’re looking at retirement and keeping a watchful eye on your future outside the game.

Brock and Trenton are cool guys, and with Nash and Walker married off, I’ve been spending more time with them, but the bar scene is getting old. I used to thrive on being the center of attention, but sometimes it’s nice to chill. Hard to do when the guys you’re with are just looking to get their dicks wet.

Hell, that was all I wanted for a fuck ton of years as well. It wasn’t until recently that my attention shifted. Could be hitting my thirties. Could be I’m finally maturing. Ha. Not quite. Could be meeting Rowan.

For the first time in my life, I see the appeal.

“I’m betting it’s a boy. Bankes has got an extra-abundance of testosterone in his DNA.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Walker is the sweetest.”

“Oh, he’s sweet for Riley, sure. But have you seen him on the field? He’s a beast.”

“And you’re not?”

“Well, hell, little darling. Are you flirting with me?” I tap my hand over my heart in mock shock.

“Please. Like you don’t know how good you are. I’ve been getting evil eyes from all the kids here who want to spend time with you.” She pats my arm. “You go off and play with your fans. I’m going to see what needs to be done so Riley doesn’t have to come back. Thank you for lunch, Miles, and take care of your boo-boo.”

She gives my bicep a little squeeze and walks away. I stare at her ass for too long before a group of kids come over and ask to play pass.

Catching footballs is easy.

Catching Rowan is hard as fucking shit.

---