“Hey,” Jaden said as he stood up and caught my eye. “Are you okay? The crowd can get overwhelming.”
“I’m fine. Just taking it all in.”
Finally, we made it inside, and I was a bit relieved for the reprieve. However, it was short-lived. There were flurries of activity everywhere. I silently followed Jaden, giving him space to do his thing. Every so often, he glanced back to check on me. I couldn’t help smiling. Here I thought I’d encountered a snobby pro player with a massive ego because he’d come into a ton of money and skyrocketed to fame. Jaden was the opposite. Shame on me for my negative preconceptions.
Soon, I found myself in a locker room area with a bunch of guys. The team greeted me as if I were the assistant coach, and it made me laugh. I even got a few fist bumps. But I hurriedly got out of their way, making myself as unintrusive as possible.
After we left the locker room, Jaden waved me along. “Come on, we’re heading down.” They took a side tunnel that opened directly onto the turf. The entire time, I kept looking for Lincoln. He had just disappeared. Why was I even looking for him? I couldn’t be any more annoyed with myself.
I paused when we hit the field, momentarily stunned by its size. It was my first time in a stadium. The stands loomed above like a coliseum, and the field was alive with activity. Players jogged across the yard lines, tossing footballs to kids in oversized jerseys.
Jaden and some of his teammates were immediately pulled into a photo op with a group of fans. I hung back. Jaden looked around for me, but I waved him off, silently telling him not to worry about me. I spotted Lincoln near the sideline and pointed toward him. Jaden gave me a thumbs-up, and I took off.
Taking a deep breath, I braced myself just to stand beside Lincoln. It was crazy that I had to. That kiss showed me how easily he could still get under my skin. Maybe that was why I couldn’t forgive him… or was afraid to. He still had so much power over me.
I approached Lincoln, who was staring straight ahead. He had his arms crossed as he assessed all the activity on the field. I slowed my steps when I neared and then stopped beside him. He spared me a glance.
“Ava.”
“Hey, Lincoln.”
He dipped his head in a cool, polite nod as if we were strangers who had just become acquaintances… as if we hadn’t made out like hormone-riddled teenagers the other day. In all fairness, he gave me what I had asked for. He was keeping his distance.
“How’s it going?” I asked. Carrying on small talk with my ex wasn’t high on my list of priorities, but I would have felt more awkward standing alone in some corner.
“Great. How’s that feature coming along?”
“Great,” I mimicked his dry response.
“Hmm.”
I peeked up at him. “No warning about keeping my nose where it’s supposed to be?”
His eyes cut to me and away again. “I’m sure you got the picture. How are you settling in to LA?”
“Fine. I get a little overwhelmed at times, but I’m getting used to it.”
Finally, he looked at me for more than a second. “If you need anything, let me know.”
I smiled, but it dropped when he inclined his head and said, “Excuse me.”
I watched with raised eyebrows as he walked away toward a group of guys. It was like he could barely tolerate my presence now. “You did tell him to leave you alone,” I muttered. Feeling out of place just standing there, I shifted from one foot to the other. Jaden was deep in conversation, laughing with a fewteammates and posing for another group photo. I didn’t want to intrude, so my eyes wandered.
That’s when I saw them.
Two people stood near the tunnel we’d come through. They were in the shadows, so it was hard to see exactly what was happening. However, I got that curious itch—the same one I’d gotten when I saw the couple through the window at that gym the other day. Just like that day, this couple’s interaction didn’t seem casual. I sensed tension in the way they gestured.
My legs started moving before I could even think about it. I inched closer and closer, my eyes trained on them. The taller one was built like a football player—massive shoulders and muscles visible even through the hoodie. What was it with these hoodies? It was so warm. Unless the idea was to hide…
My journalist nose twitched, practically smelling a mystery. Knowing me, I had to solve it or my brain would implode. The smaller figure handed something to the bigger one. I squinted but couldn’t see what it was.
I glanced back. Jaden was still busy.
Attention back on the shady couple, I walked faster, with purpose. To my chagrin, they broke apart. When the smaller one moved, I got a glimpse of long dark hair and…blonde tips. It was that singer! What were the chances of her showing up at the gym and then here? This wasn’t a game that plenty of celebrities would show up to. The way she hurried back through the tunnel made my suspicions mount. The bigger one skedaddled in a different direction, getting lost in the crowd.
I mentally snapped my fingers because I still couldn't confirm if it was really the pop star. I wasn’t sure if the person with the huge shoulders was the same guy as in the parking lot, either. What did Jaden say his name was…?
Tanner Boyd.
