For the next couple of days, I force myself to focus on football. We have a tough game against Phoenix this weekend, and I’m already on thin ice for missing practice, despite being sick.
Cough.
When game day arrives, I give it my all, and it’s safe to say I play one of the best games of my career. I’m a force. Unstoppable. And for the first time, it feels like I’m truly connecting with my teammates. Like we’re in sync.
Maybe there’s some truth to the whole “your teammates should be like family” bullshit. Not that I’m taking it that far, but I have to admit, they’re growing on me.
Luke’s all smiles when we get back to the locker room, so I take the opportunity to ask him for a favor.Another favor. I’m really taking advantage of this group chat shit.
“I’ve got to go back to LA,” I tell him when he stops by to congratulate me on my killer touchdown. “My friend needs me, and I needyouto cover for me.”
His lips curl into a grin, and I almost take it back. Especially when he wraps an arm around my shoulder and gives me a brotherly squeeze. “Tell me the truth about you and thisfriend.” He uses quote fingers to punctuate his request. “After that, I’ll help.”
I shove him off me. He’s still sweaty from our game, and even if he wasn’t, it’s weird. “Not going to happen, Bennett. You’re going to help me because you love that shit.”
“Really?” He raises a brow, his expression unwavering, and it eats away at my confidence.
“Fuck. Why do you want to know so badly?”
“Call it bonding.” He shrugs and I can’t help but snort.
“Bonding or insurance?”
“Both. And you’re going to oblige. Unless you want to ask Easton to cover for you?”
We both glance over at Easton, his don’t-fuck-with-me gaze more prominent than usual as he throws his phone into his bag. “Okay, that’s worse.” I sigh, relenting. “She’s a friend from back in Jacksonville, and she just broke up with her asshole boyfriend. She only moved to LA because of him, so she doesn’t really have anyone else.”
“Fuck.” Luke’s face scrunches and he looks genuinely concerned for Blair. “What about her friend that knows Hayley?”
“Jesus, did Reed tell everyone about that?”
“Nope.” Luke chuckles. “Reed’s a vault when he has to be. That was Amelia. She’s Hayley’s best friend, remember?”
“Vaguely.” I frown. “Unlike you, I don’t feel the need to know everyone else’s business. Are you going to help or not?”
“I am.” He grins and it’s a little unnerving. “I’m going to help because you asked. Not enough guys do that these days.”
My frown deepens becausewhat the hell does that mean?Though as curious as I might be, I don’t dare ask. This conversation is over.
“Thanks, man. Just tell Coach I had to fly home early but that I’ll be at practice tomorrow.”
“Will you?” he asks, stopping me as I turn away.
“Honestly, I don’t know. But I have plenty of cash. I’ll pay the fine.”
“I don’t think it’s about the fine.”
“Would you go for Amelia?” I challenge him, already knowing the answer but needing to give him perspective.
“Fuck, yeah, I would. I’d go anywhere for her.”
“Well, there you go.”
He nods and falls silent for a beat, giving me the chance to casually sneak away, but before I’ve taken a step, his laughter fills the air. “Friend, my ass. Go get her, Fitzpatrick.”
I roll my eyes but I can’t hide the small smirk that tugs on my lips. She’s not going to like it, but that’s exactly what I plan on doing.
My flight from Phoenix to LA is longer than the advertised hour and thirty minutes, and despite our four p.m. game, it’s getting late in the evening, making me jittery. Turning upto see Blair unannounced is one thing, but doing it when she’s likely getting ready for bed is another thing entirely.
