“Oh,” I say. “I’m sure you’re used to this kind of service, aren’t you?”
“I’ll admit that the league treats us well, especially if you’re a starter on the team.”
“What’s it like to live your dream and play in the NFL?”
“I love game day,” he says matter-of-factly. “I love the energy of a stadium full of people that either love us or hate us. Either way, I get off on the cheers or the boos and play to the crowd. I’m not one of those players that has to be at home to do my best.”
I know football, thanks to my brother, and I know that Brick has been to the Superbowl and the pro bowl twice, which is a tremendous accomplishment in his career so far. There are superstars who leave the NFL and have never won the coveted Super Bowl ring.
“Guess you’re not Mr. Irrelevant any longer, are you?” I smile, referring to some of the mean articles written about Brick when he was first drafted into the league.
“The media can be tough. That’s probably the only downside of the job.”
He’s definitely had a tough go of it. First, it was the media questioning his mere presence in the NFL and now it’s this break up with that woman, Lisa Adams.
“I can’t believe that woman said you abused her and the media is running with it.”
“Can we change the subject?” He says, his face sour.
“Ooh, I know. Have you ever met Saint Stevenson?”
He chuckles. “Why does everyone ask me that?”
“Besides you, he’s one of the few players I know on The Nighthawks. I’m an Eagles fan.”
“He retired from the team a while ago but, yes, I’ve met him. The franchise likes to bring him to speak to the team once a year. It helps to get the rookies motivated. They basically revere Saint in the organization.”
“Nice.”
“So, um, do you only care about quarterbacks?”
“No,” I blush. “I care about other positions on the team, too.”
“That’s good to know because it’s players like me that give the quarterback time to be as great as they are.”
“The power of the brick wall,” I say, repeating back what I’ve known people to always say about him as a player.
“That’s right.” He smiles, apparently pleased that I understand the origins of his nickname, which only makes me grin that much harder. It’s weird, but I think I enjoy having his approval.
I take a sip of my wine and stare out of the window silently for a few moments. I see some why people like the window seat. It’s entrancing watching the clouds, a billowing mass of white cotton wool, each cloud a different shade of gray, growing darker as the plane climbs higher into the sky.
Once the cabin lights dim and the in-flight movie starts, everyone uses their headphones to listen, and I look back over at Brick and clear my throat. “So, I think I should warn you that Dena thinks she saw something between us the other night during karaoke.”
“I assumed as much.” He nods and his lips twitch into a smile. “Did you clear things up for her?”
“I think so,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
As long as she doesn’t voice her suspicions to my brother.
As if he can read my thoughts, Brick’s gaze locks on mine and I notice my heart skittering inside my chest. As I feel the heat radiating from his body, I have to fight the urge to reach out and touch his arm. The erotic distance between us is like a hair, that fine space between a drop and a tear, yet there and immense. I could touch him and not touch him, but I will want to touch him this entire trip.
“I’m sure it will,” he says, his voice low and husky.
I lick my lips, my mouth suddenly dry. I’ve known Brick since I was a kid and while I’ve always found him attractive, because what girl didn’t, this is the first time I’ve ever felt that those feelings could possibly be mutual.
The plane suddenly hits a pocket of turbulence, and we both grab the center armrests to steady ourselves. As our hands touch, I feel a surge of electricity run through my body and I look up in the dim light of the plane to find Brick’s intense hazel eyes practically undressing me.
My breath catches in my throat, and I have the strong desire to lean in and kiss him. Instead, I force myself to look away, my cheeks flaming.
