Page 17 of Full Tilt
“Why the lies, Jack? I thought being captain meant encouragingallyour players.”
He deadpans, “Only the guys I actually want on the team. Anyway …” He pushes a hand through his showered hair. “The Boston away series next week—you’re sharing a hotel room with me. Rookies usually share with their captain.”
I decide to ignore his subtle attempt to goad me. We both know I’m far from a rookie. “You usually share with Archer or Sawyer.”
He shrugs, not looking at all happy about the situation. “Coach Morgan’s orders. He wants you to make an effort and integrate into the team. He figured you sharing a room with me would be the best way to go about that.”
All I want to do is argue my case, but I’m already on a warning, and I don’t want to make life any more difficult for myself.
“Sure, sounds like fun. I’ll bring Twister; you bring Battleship.”
Jack’s lips twitch, and I’m not sure if it’s to fight back amusement or contempt.
“You should know something else too.” He brushes off my invite to get cozy with a couple of family-favorite games. “The hotel we’re staying in … it’s the same hotel the New York Storm uses since it’s a popular choice for a lot of sports teams when they travel to Boston.”
I open my towel and rewrap it, finding my own behavior entertaining. Jack keeps his eyes pinned on my face and away from my crotch.
“And that concerns me how exactly?” I reply, already bored with the conversation.
“Because our series overlaps with the Storm’s, meaning both teams will be staying in the same hotel at the same time.”
I can’t deny the shot of excitement as it pulses through my body. Jenna and I will be under the same roof.
Shrugging, I add a faux yawn. “I’m still struggling to see why this is relevant to me or our roommate status.”
Jack releases a frustrated groan. “In addition to helping you integrate into the team, you’re staying with me so I can make sure you don’t start hounding the Storm’s first-choice goalkeeper.” He steps closer until he’s in my face. “Last week, when Jenna joined our group after you spoke to her in Lloyd’s, she had tears in her eyes. I don’t know what you’d said to her because she refused to repeat it, even to Kendra. But know this: she’s my wife’s best friend, and she hasn’t got a bad bone in her body. I don’t like it when good people are upset, especially ones I care about. Keep away from Jenna.”
Another yawn emerges, this one genuine.
“She isn’t the angel you make her out to be, and that’s likely the reason she held off on telling you why she was upset. What I said, she had it coming …”
Jack’s stoic face hardens further.
“But,” I continue, “before you go and get your panties all in a twist over a twenty-seven-year-old crybaby who should be able to look after herself, I promise to be on my best behavior. If she keeps out of my way, I’ll keep out of hers.”
He looks placated by my response.
“To sweeten the deal,” I add for good measure, “I’ll even read you a bedtime story. Let me know which one Archer and Sawyer use when you room with them, and I’ll be sure to give it my best shot.”
Jack’s lip twitch returns, and this time, I’m sure it’s to hide his anger. “While you’re avoiding Jenna, make sure you keep outof my way too, Tommy. If you manage that very simple task, then we won’t have a problem.”
CHAPTER SIX
JENNA
“Kendra, if you want the burger, have the goddamn burger.”
My best friend eyes me over her menu, brown eyes dancing with excitement. “I guess I could ask them to hold the cheese and add an extra slice of fresh tomato.”
I drop my shoulders as the server approaches us in the hotel restaurant we’ve dined at more times than I can count when we play away in Boston. Each time, we have the same conversation.
“I’ll take the surf ’n’ turf with everything,” I quickly tell the server. “And my friend here will take the cheeseburger, fully loaded.”
“You got it!” the server replies, taking our menus and heading straight off to key in our order.
Kendra’s mouth hangs open, and I pick up my Diet Coke, taking a sip through the straw.
“Are you kidding me?” she squawks. “I’m already battling with my nutritional plan. Just because you can eat and not pile on the pounds doesn’t mean I can.”
