Page 84 of In The Game

His mouth curves up into a sexy half smile. “What do you mean?”

“Gear Day. Camp Conway. Giving so much and helping so many families. Seeing all that joy and knowing you’re the reason behind it. I mean, shouldn’t you be out there showboating or being a smug asshole?Hey everybody, look how great I am.”

It was incredible to witness once, I can’t imagine what it must be like to experience it year after year. The room was filled with so much positive energy it could have blown the doors off the arena. Radiant smiles on every face.

He laughs and shrugs. “It’s pretty great. And yeah, it feels good, of course it does. But it’s not just me, there’s so many people involved. We have hundreds of volunteers and donors that work much harder than I do to make it happen. It’s a cause I started, but it’s everybody else that keeps it going.”

“God, he’s humble too,” I groan and shake my head. “Is there anything you’re bad at? You’re suspiciously perfect. There’s gotta besomethingwrong with you.”

“I forgot to get this woman’s number once. I missed the birth of my son, missed his whole life. I missed years building something with the woman who needed me most.”

I suck in air through my teeth. “Well, at least you’re keeping it light.”

He lifts his shoulders. “You asked. Like I said, I’ll always be honest with you.”

It wasn’t only him, I made mistakes too. I should have left my number, and I shouldn’t have made so many assumptions that night. Even if we had each other’s numbers, who knows, his PR woman might still have interjected and ruined things for us.

“Barrett, you tried—”

“Not hard enough, Ral.”

THIRTY-TWO

Getting out of the shower earlier and seeing the text from Raleigh was the icing on top of an already incredible day. I don’t want to slow down. I love looking at her in the passenger seat of my car.

“How’s pizza sound?”

“Great, but where will we find a place that can incinerate it as good as Top Shelf? And on such short notice. I hope you made reservations...”

“I’m sure we could request it. After all, I’m a celebrity, this town worships me and my big smug asshole.” I smile wider.

She scrunches up her nose and tilts her head to the side. “I don’t know how some girl hasn’t made you hers already.”

“She has.” I nudge her. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see her staring. Her attention puts me on cloud nine.

“Do you think that’s gonna get you laid tonight? Because it might.”

“If it does, I’ll actually be prepared this time. I stopped at Costco on the way here.”

“For what?”

I reach behind her seat and drop the box of 144 condoms in her lap. She holds it up and looks at me bewildered.

“Jesus Christ, Bear! It’s too bad you couldn’t find a bigger box! What are we going to do when we run out?”

I shrug. “Butt stuff?”

She laughs again, and I swear it’s my favorite sound.

We pull in front of the restaurant and get a parking spot right up front.

“Come on, let’s eat. I’m hungry.”

She mumbles something as I exit. I jog around to open her door, she’s already swung it open but takes my hand and allows me to help her out of the car. When she stands, I get another look at that dress up close and those heels. She’s much taller than her usual height. I scrub a hand down my face.Woof, this dinner is going to be a masterclass in patience.

The restaurant is dim, filled with deep blues and bronze. The wall sconces glow a golden hue, adding to the mood of the space. We are ushered to a C-shaped navy upholstered bench in the corner. I asked for the most secluded table.No distractions.I love hanging out with Arthur, but my alone time with Raleigh needs to be used wisely since it’s not easy to come by.

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