Page 43 of Playing the Neutral Zone

Knox laughed.“Just busting your balls.”

“So, who’s the chick?”Colton asked again, trying to get them focused on me.

I took a drink of my beer and sat back.“It’s a little complicated, but it’s someone from my past.”

“An ex?”Colton asked.

I shook my head.“No, but it’s a long story.”

“Mia’s mom?”Dylan questioned.

I shook my head.“No.If you want to know, it’s an old friend’s younger sister.I’ve known her since I was in my early teens, and we were practically inseparable growing up.”

“Do we get a name?”Lucas asked, getting up and getting some pizza.

I knew the moment I told them her first name, they’d know exactly who it was, but I also knew they were relentless.They would get it out of me.

“Fine, but I don’t want to hear any more after I tell you.”

The guys all looked at one another in confusion and nodded.

“Her name is Scarlett.”

The room was quiet.In fact, if it hadn’t been for the rumble of music in the background, you’d probably have been able to hear a pin drop.They all looked at me, a load of questions I knew they were dying to ask.

“As in Green?The chick from theIce Insiders?”Knox asked, not caring what he’d just promised.

I nodded my head.

“Fuck me,” he said under his breath.“Don’t you think it might be wise not to get involved with anyone in the media?”he questioned.“Or at least give us the heads-up when she started reporting on the team?”

“Whoa, now hold on,” Dylan said.“We all know we can’t help who we are attracted to.”

“Never said we could.I’m just saying, this sort of thing could lead to a lot of trouble,” Knox said as if I wasn’t even in the room.

“Exactly, Knox, I’m with you on that.This could be disastrous for his career,” Colton added.

“I wouldn’t say disastrous,” Lucas added.“But it might have a way of harming it.”

“Whoa, guys, I’m right here, you know.I trust Scarlett.I’ve known her for a long time, and I know she respects my wishes, especially with the media.She knows how I feel about interviews and articles being written on me, and I know she would never break that trust.”

“Yeah, until they bribe her or force her to write one on you.”

“Wouldn’t happen, trust me.I know this girl well.She’d come to me if they were trying to do something like that to her, besides I know she’d do nothing like that to hurt me or Mia.”

“If you say so,” Lucas said.

“Yeah, man, just be careful, okay?”Colton added.

I nodded.I knew this was coming from a place of caring, but right now, I didn’t need those types of ideas in my head.Scarlett would never do something that would intentionally hurt me, that much I knew.

“I will be.Now, how about the game?”I said, changing the topic.

I opened my eyes,blinking a few times as things came into focus.Scarlett rolled over and snuggled against me, her head on my shoulder.I pressed a kiss on her forehead and pulled her against me.

Things were progressing fast between us.I’d been home most of the week, and she’d been here with us most of that time, aside from when she was working.I stroked her arm, and she let out a tiny moan just as Mia called for me.

“I’ll be back,” I whispered as I slipped from the bed.“Don’t go anywhere.”

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