Page 6 of Playbook
“You mean write about it?” I ask. He’s already written a few things calling my skills and longevity into question.
“I’d rather cover high school football than write another word about you—good or bad.” With that he stalks off.
I blow out a breath, then laugh. “So that’s a no to grabbing drinks later?” I yell after him.
He flips me off without looking back.
“Why would you try to talk to him?” Archer asks as we sit at our new favorite lunch spot, downing our one cheat meal of the week: burgers and fries.
I swallow down a large bite and shake my head. It isn’t very loud in the restaurant, but I still want to make sure he can easily read my lips. Archer has a profound hearing loss. If it’s too loud or there are a lot of people, I sign for him or lean in closer too. “I really thought we could put it behind us. Does he really want to be with somebody that’s screwing other guys behind his back?”
Arch shrugs his shoulders.
“He should be thanking me.”
At that comment, my buddy throws his head back. He covers his mouth with his forearm as he tries to chew his food while he laughs at me.
By the time he calms down enough to speak, I’m smiling just from watching him cackle at me.
“Fine,” I say. “I get why he’s pissed, but I’m not a bad guy.”
Archer’s expression softens. “Of course you’re not. You’re just a good guy with terrible taste in women.”
I nod and consider his words. “She was pretty hot though.”
He shakes his head at me and drops the last of his burger onto the plate. “That’s your problem.”
“My problem is that I like good-looking women?”
“No, it’s that it’s youronlycriteria.”
“That’s not true,” I say automatically.
“There was the girl you brought home from the grocery store. She stayed for two days and you had to basically kick her out to get her to leave. The realtor you slept with during our tour of theapartment.” He grimaces.
“I didn’t expect her to drop to her knees either, but I wasn’t about to stop her.” Who turns down a Tuesday afternoon blow job? No one.
“And then the bartender who, if I remember correctly, stole all our toilet paper on her way out.”
“Okay. I get your point.”
“Are you sure? Because I could keep going.”
“Don’t come at me like you haven’t been doing your share of hooking up since we moved up here.” Archer and I were drafted by the Mavericks and moved the hour north from Valley to Lake City after graduation. It’s been chaotic and amazing, and yes, I’ve enjoyed the newfound attention that’s come from being a professional football player. But so has he.
“The difference is my hookups aren’t making headlines.”
“Only because I accidentally hooked up with Boone’s fiancée. Somethingsheshould have mentioned.” I feel like everyone keeps forgetting that point.
“Or maybe you should have thought to ask.”
He’s not wrong, but we didn’t do a lot of talking.
“Well, whatever the reason, you need to be careful. Coach did not look happy today when he talked to Boone after you.” Archer grimaces.
“It’ll be fine,” I insist. “You worry too much. You’re turning into Hendrick.”
Archer scoffs at the mention of his oldest brother. “I am not. Take it back.”
