Page 105 of Tempting the Player
“She’s not wrong. It’s pretty fucking great and people will be surprised since you’re not listed with the band.” Eric rests both hands on the strap of his guitar.
Lennon strums softly, nodding.
They all look to Ted. Even Jane seems to be hanging on his response, giving away how much she wants them all to be in agreement.
Ted turns his attention to his girlfriend. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
She nods so adamantly her red hair shakes around her head.
“Fine, I agree,” he says, not all that excited for his girlfriend to share the spotlight.
Mac returns her eager stare to Jane. “What do you say?”
She glances over her shoulder at me. She doesn’t need my approval, but I understand why she’s seeking it. I’ll figure out what we need for security at the event. Keeping that look on her face is all I care about right now. I smile at her. “I think it’s a great idea. You two will kill it together.”
* * *
“The barista hates me,” Jane says as she hands me a to-go cup of coffee.
“She doesn’t hate you.” I take a sip and grimace. “She hates that you order complicated drinks. Apple?”
“Apple crisp macchiato.” She gives me a rueful smile.
“It’s terrible.”
She passes over her regular coffee with a splash of cream and sugar. I take a drink to get rid of the apple flavor, then pass it back. She wraps her fingers around the cup. It’s cold out this morning, sun hidden behind the clouds. A last bit of winter before hot weather takes over the desert.
“I got you something too.”
She scans me, finally spotting the campus bookstore bag in my left hand. I hold it up to her and she eagerly passes the coffee back to me before she grabs the bag and dives into it. Her reaction makes me want to buy her things a whole hell of a lot more often.
Smiling up at me, she pulls the pink sweatshirt out and holds it up against her chest. “You remembered.”
“Of course.” I remember all things where Jane is concerned.
She pulls it on over her T-shirt and then attaches herself to my side. “Thank you. I love it.”
“It’s just a sweatshirt.”
“No. It’s my newfavoritesweatshirt.”
I’ve seen her wardrobe. It’s far more lavish and expensive than this cheap thing. I do a quick scan of our surroundings, then drop my lips to hers for a brief moment. It would be easy to forget I’m supposed to looking out for her and just enjoy being with her. Too easy.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, hoping it’s Logan with an update, but am surprised when it’s my agent’s name on the screen.
I stare at the phone, warring on whether or not to answer it. But when Jane spots Violet and her boyfriend, I excuse myself to take the call while she goes to say hello.
“Hey, John,” I answer, watching Jane as she talks to her friends.
“Hendrick. Hey. How’s vacation treating you?” His voice is loud and boisterous.
I hold the phone away from my ear a fraction. “Everything’s good. What’s the news?”
“Congratulations, man. The Rams want to see you on the field next month.”
“On the field?” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice. “Why?”
He laughs. “Coach Maxwell is inviting you to try out. He saw your hard work on the practice squad last season, and he wants to give you another shot. Smith accepted a trade to New York and Daughtry is injured. They need someone, and I convinced them that someone might be you.”
