Page 29 of Fair Play
I want to hold her hand and make sure she’s not thinking about things that take the light out of her eyes.
I wouldn’t say no if she wanted to jump my bones, but it’s not the end game.
And that’s the scary part—I don’t knowwhatthe end game is.
All I know for sure is that I’m going to play until we get there, even if the only thing waiting for me is an ass-kicking from Bodi.
Spending this time with Billie is worth it.
We thankNita before we head out and even though it nearly kills me, I allow Billie to leave Wade a twenty-five-dollar tip since our meal was comped. We almost argued about it, but Billie reminded me that dinner was her idea and it was supposed to be a thank you for letting her use my dad’s car.
At that point, I gave in gracefully but as we step out onto the sidewalk, I say, “You’re not paying for any more dates. It’s not how I’m built.”
Her eyes twinkle as she looks up at me. “Does that mean we’re going out again?”
“We have a date tomorrow after the game, don’t we?”
“Well, I mean…is that a date? It’s going to be more about you holding my hand so I don’t wipe out and smash my leg into a million pieces.”
“Come on.” I slide my arm around her shoulders as we walk. “You know that’s not going to happen, right? I get the subconscious worry, but the leg is healed, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“You were given the all-clear to skate?”
“Years ago.”
“Your incredibly over-the-top protective older brother, the same one who worries about you day in and day out—he’s tried to get you to skate, hasn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“Bodi wouldn’t even consider it if there was so much as a half a percent chance you could be hurt. Sure, accidents happen, but you skating on the sidewalk in a straight line is going to be fine. And I’ll be right there. Holding your hand the whole time if that’s what you need.”
To my surprise, she tugs my arm and leans up, pressing a soft kiss on my cheek. “You say you’re not a nice guy, but I don’t believe you.”
“I’m nice toyou,” I counter gruffly.
“You were nice to Nita. You were nice to your teammate’s niece last night, the one who wouldn’t stop talking about some art gallery.”
He smiles. “Ally. She’s a good kid. That’s Canyon’s niece. She’s been through a lot. Her mom overdosed and then they couldn’t find Canyon right away—I guess the family was estranged—so she was in foster care for a while.”
“So you collect orphans.”
It’s more a statement than a question and though I wouldn’t have agreed with her before now, it does seem to be a thing with me lately. Since I got to the Phantoms. Since I met Billie.
“I wouldn’t say I collect them,” I say, “but it’s more like I’m empathetic toward them.”
“I think it’s more than that.”
“Don’t kid yourself, honey—I can be a dick when I want to be.”
She laughs. “To be fair, so can I.”
I highly doubt that, but I won’t argue with her. I’m having too nice of a time holding her close. Talking to her. She’s really easy to talk to, and I’m not ready to call it a night, even though I have to rest since there’s a game tomorrow.
“How far did you park?” I ask.
“About three more blocks that way.” She points in the opposite direction.
