Page 8 of Playmaker

I gave in. “I went to that consignment shop.”

“Callie!” he yelped.

“I know, but I hate spending so much money on clothes. And this was in my size, and it was green…”

I’d messed up, and it was my own fault. My own, stupid, penny-pinching fault. I had money now, but it was difficult to change after never having had it. I had loans to pay off. And a savings account to build. When you grew up with nothing, it was hard to take money for granted.

Darcy stood. “Let’s both get into something comfy. I’ll dig out the ice cream and you can tell me all about it.”

I felt the tension draining, leaving me loose and tired. “That would be great, Darce.”

He gave me a push down the hallway to my room, turning into the chaos of his own.

Darcy and I met in foster care. We were opposites in almost every way, but somehow we’d bonded and become friends. When we aged out and were on our own, we teamed up. I trusted very few people, but I trusted him.

We’d been roommates for years. When I’d saved up the down payment for this condo, I’d asked Darcy to keep rooming with me. I charged him less than I would anyone else, and while it helped with the mortgage, I mostly wanted my friend around. I didn’t want a roommate I didn’t know. Growing up, I hadn’t been able to control my circumstances and I’d lived with too many people who were happy to steal my stuff, or worse, when I was asleep and vulnerable. My condo was my haven.

I curled up on the couch in loose shorts and a baggy sweatshirt. June meant the weather had warmed up, but we had AC on. Darcy had put on sweats, leaving his polo and khakis in a pile on his floor, I knew. I had no idea how he always looked so put together when he went out, since his possessions were scattered all over his room. My room was painfully tidy, and I never looked half as good as he did.

He brought over a pint of ice cream—store brand because it was much better value, especially if you poured name-brand chocolate sauce all over it—and two spoons, as well as the chocolate sauce. He dribbled chocolate on top of the ice cream and passed me a spoon.

“Okay, spill. You went to the big dinner with the hockey players.”

I nodded. Invitations to the charity events, like this dinner and the golf tournament, were the first steps to making partner. I wanted a job where I couldn’t be fired on a whim, and to have my home paid off. Enough money saved up to make sure I’d always have a safe place to live and food to eat.

Darcy took a spoonful of chocolate-covered ice cream and asked, “How hot did they look in person?”

I considered while I licked my spoon. I wasn’t a hockey fan. I wasn’t any kind of sportsball fan. It wasn’t something I’d had time for. “We had John Deeker at our table, and his wife.”

Darcy put on an exaggerated pout. “He’s not one of the hotties, and he’s straight. Come on, who else?”

“I think they’re all straight.”

Darcy shrugged. “Maybe. But if they’re not married, I can dream, right? Some of them statistically are bi or gay, but not out. It’s math. In my mind, those guys are single. So, did you meet any of the single players?”

My cheeks felt warm. Why should I be embarrassed about whatever had happened with Cooper? Who I thought—hoped—was single since he’d talked about me being his friend date. “Cooper was there.”

Darcy sat up, ice cream forgotten. “Seriously? Cooper? That man is incredible. So ripped, and those eyes…” Darcy pretended to swoon.

I rescued the ice cream, only half full now. “He was wearing a suit, so I can’t report on his abs.”

“You don’t need to. I’ve seen the ads.”

I didn’t ask him what ads because they were everywhere. Six-plus-feet of mostly naked man reclining on something, blond hair perfect, blue eyes giving a sexy frown at everyone passing by. I hadn’t studied them but they were impossible to ignore. I didn’t remember what brand of underwear was being advertised, but I did remember Cooper. Even if it had taken me a minute to recognize him in a tux, I’d have recognized him right away if he’d been mostly naked.

“I talked to him. A bit. And…”

Darcy’s eyes were wide. “And what? Did he ask you out?” Before I could answer, he shook his head. “No, he wouldn’t have when you were wearing that dress. Damn it, Callie, this could have been your chance.”

I wasn’t looking for a chance. Not with Cooper. Or any of the other players, or any guy. I was better off on my own. Safer. But part of me wanted to rub it in. Let Darcy know that even with the dress he hated—to be fair, Cooper did too—I’d gotten a date. Sort of.

Now that I was back in my place, not staring at that gorgeous face, I didn’treallyexpect to get a call from Cooper. He had his choice of women, and probably did that whole golf lesson/wedding date thing to get my number as a dare or something. It had happened before. But if he’d helped me with golf and the country club…that would have been great.

I scooped up a big spoonful of ice cream, swirled it in chocolate sauce, and spoke just before stuffing my mouth with yummy goodness. “Cooper asked me to go to his sister’s wedding.”

Darcy was an attractive man, but the bugged-out eyes and dropped jaw did not make him look his best. It was revenge for his assessment of my dress.

Of course, I got a freezie headache from the big bite of ice cream I’d taken. I rubbed my head and grimaced, while I pressed my tongue on the roof of my mouth. “Damn it. Why did I do that?”

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