Page 15 of Learn the Play
The attendant smiles. “There’s always a girl.” He chuckles. “Unfortunately, it’s against privacy policies to give out that kind of information.” His face is a mask of a man who is not willing to break the rules—just my luck. I mean, I get it, it’s his job, and it’s against the law, but damn, I need to find her.
“Right. Of course. Thank you.” I knew it was a long shot, and I briefly consider trying to bribe him, but that’s the last thing I need in the headlines.Tight End for the Nashville Rampage was arrested for bribing a hotel attendant, trying to get private information on a female guest.Yeah, no thanks. I’ll pass on that.
We had a connection. I felt it, and I know she did, too. I can only hope that she comes back into my life in some way. That’s fate, right? Meeting again in the most unexpected way? My dream girl had better be ready. If I ever see her again, I won’t be letting her get away so easily the second time. I’ll get her last name, her number, and maybe, if I’m lucky, I might be able to win her heart.
“How was the wedding?” Knox asks.
We’re sitting outside on Landry’s back patio. The ladies, Corie, Rowan, and Sloane, are in the pool. We were supposed to be playing poker, but none of us were feeling it. Instead, we’re sitting here sipping on beers, shooting the shit.
“It was good. Landon’s all smiles, and his wife, Tessa, is great. Case was his usual horndog self,” I say, laughing as I think about Case hitting on the female bartender.
“Hook up with any bridesmaids?” Landry asks.
Instantly, memories of my time with Bellamy flash through my mind. It’s been nothing but the Bellamy show in my head since that night. It’s only been a few days, but I can’t seem to stop thinking about her. “Nah, it was a small wedding. The matron of honor was there, but so was her husband. It was chill.” That’s not a lie—it was chill. The wedding was nice, and the night was spent with the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. How much more chill could it have been?
Camden leans over toward me, holding out his little arms, and I take him from his dad. “Hey, little man,” I say, bouncing him on my knee. He giggles, and damn, he's the best medicine for my mopey ass.
“What gives?” Baker asks.
“What do you mean?” I keep my eyes on Camden, making funny faces at him. It’s better than facing his daddy. Landon, Case, and I were tight all through college, and we still are. But these four guys, they’re in my life day in and day out. My closest friends, even closer than Landon or Case, and they know me well enough to know that I’m being a mopey asshole. It’s not something they’re used to seeing from me. I’m the one who’s laughing, smiling, and having a good time. But that’s hard to do when I’m caught in my head.
“Come on now, Montgomery,” Landry says. “You can’t hide behind the cuteness that is our nephew.”
Camden might not be our nephew by blood, but damn if we all don’t love him as if he were. Family isn’t always blood. “I’m not.” My defense is weak at best, and I know that the guys can see right through me.
“Don’t make me bring my wife over here,” Knox warns, and I can’t help it; I laugh.
Corie is not only Knox’s wife, but Landry’s little sister. She knows us all well, and it’s nothing for her to bat her pretty green eyes to get us to spill. Add in Rowan, Landry’s wife, and Sloane, Corie’s best friend, and I wouldn’t stand a chance.
“Fine, there might have been a woman,” I say, making another silly face at Camden, which he rewards me with a giggle.
“And?” Foster asks.
Sloane appears beside me, holding her hands out for Camden. “Y’all have been hogging him all night. It’s our turn.”
I wait for her to comment about my confession, but it never comes. She’s only here to steal my little buddy.
“Release the baby, Montgomery!” Corie calls out.
“No, he’s mine.” I hold Camden against my chest and wiggle him around. His laughter fills the air around us. Damn, I love this kid.
“Don’t make us come over there!” Rowan adds.
“See.” Sloane smirks, and she lifts Camden from my arms and snuggles him. He rests his head on her shoulder, and she carries him to where Corie and Rowan are now sitting in lounge chairs, waiting for their turn.
“Thief!” I call after her. Sloane just tosses her hand up in the air in a wave.
“The woman?” Baker prompts.
Huffing out a breath, I close my eyes, tilt my head back against the chair, and start to talk. I tell them about Bellamy sitting next to me at the bar, how we walked on the beach, and ended back at the bar, talking the night away, until the bartender kicked us out. I tell them how incredible she is.
I open my eyes and meet each one of theirs before saying, “She didn’t recognize me. I was just Reid.” Knox and Landry both hum their agreement. They know what it’s like to findladies who don’t have a single fuck to give about the zeros in our bank accounts.
“Are you sure?” Baker asks. If anyone is going to be skeptical, it’s going to be him. He’s the one sharing his son with a one-night stand, but that’s a story for another day.
“I’m positive. No hint at all, and we went back to her room. Not mine. She even tried to pay for her drinks.” I don’t tell them that we slept together, but I’m sure they can read between the lines.
“So, what’s the issue here?” Knox asks. “Are you missing her that bad? Call her, man. We have a few weeks left before training camp starts. Go see her. Wherever she is.” His eyes glance over to where his wife is now holding Camden, and a goofy smile lights up his face.
