Page 54 of When Stars Collide
Thad eyeballed The Diva. “Clint’s not the brightest guy in the world, and sex is the only way he knows how to relate to women. I don’tthinkyou’ll fall for his routine, but if you do... make sure he’s got that herpes outbreak under control.”
Clint laughed and pounded Thad extra hard on the back. “You’re one of a kind, dude.”
The Diva smiled. “I don’t need a babysitter, but it would be lovely to be with someone who’s not bossing me around.”
“I know what you mean,” Clint said. “Boy, do I ever know what you mean.”
Thad glared at him. “Donotlet her out of your sight.”
“Roger that.”
Thad met his pals that night, but he didn’t have a good time. He was too busy thinking about what might be going on back at the hotel.
***
“That part always gets me.” Clint’s voice was suspiciously woolly with emotion. “‘You complete me.’ Everybody talks about that other thing. That ‘had me at hello’ thing, but when he says, ‘You complete me.’ What kind of dude says something like that? But still... It gets me.”
Olivia wiped her eyes as the credits rolled onJerry Maguire.“Why have I never seen this movie? I know why. Because I thought it was about football.”
“Not enough action.” Recovering from his brief emotional display, he draped his arm over the back of the couch. “If T-Bo asks, tell him we watchedTheWaterboy.”
The leg she’d been sitting on had gone to sleep, and she pulled it out from under her. “Isn’t that one of those Adam Sandler movies?”
He nodded. “It’s most players’ favorite.”
“BecauseJerry Maguireis too girlie, right?”
“I wouldn’t exactly say that.”
“Then what would you say?”
“It’s too girlie.”
She laughed and rose from the couch, wriggling her numb leg to get the blood moving again. “I’m going to bed, and you don’t have to stay. Really. Thad’s being ridiculous.”
“S’okay. I’ll just hang out here for a while.”
“Don’t be such a wimp. You’re not his bitch.”
“Says you.”
“You shouldn’t let him talk to you like he does.” She sat back down. “I did a little research, and you have a higher quarterback rating after your second season than Dean Robillard did, and I know he’s supposed to have been this big shot Stars player. But Thad treats you like you’re a high school kid.”
Clint nodded. “In football, you have to earn respect.”
“And you haven’t done that?”
“Not the kind of respect I want from him.”
“But you’re a better player than he is. That’s what I don’t understand. You’re the starter. Not him.”
“It’s not that simple. I’m faster than he is, and my arm’s stronger. But T-Bo... He’s this wizard. Even with his vision thing, he can find a receiver where nobody else can, and the way he reads a defense... It’s like he’s got ESP. I have to learn how to do what he does.”
“Even if it means putting up with his abuse?”
“Me and T-Bo... We have an understanding. I love the guy.” He regarded her more sharply. “Now when it comes to T-Bo and women... you might want to be careful.”
“You don’t have to warn me. I’ve never been more clearheaded about anyone. No man is going to derail me.” She could see he didn’t believe her, and she tried to explain. “The three of us... You, Thad, me... We’re not like most other people. Our work comes first.”
