“Some of these men run a little wild,” he warned. “Parties with the groupies and spending money like they print it. Make sure you stay out of trouble.”
I laughed out loud. “I know. I’ve already heard it from my parents and Dev. I’ve given up women for the season. I’m here to win a Super Bowl. Sex can wait.”
Chapter Nine
Fallon
I had to admit, it was strange to be in Patrick’s suite so often without him, but I kept myself busy from morning to night, answering his social media and with all the details of his move, as well as monitoring him with reminder texts to make sure he showed up for his appointments and interviews. Because they had two away games, the team was traveling straight to Austin and using the in-between time to rest and practice.
We FaceTimed every morning, with me giving him a rundown of what I’d accomplished, and that set off a back-and-forth between us, Patrick telling me how his practice was going and his insights into the team dynamics. Sometimes he asked me for advice, and I gave him my opinions. Dev hadn’t needed a sounding board—he’d had Brody to talk to and bounce things off of. No doubt Patrick spoke to Dev as well, but it was nice to know he trusted me to discuss important personal matters. He shared with me the conversation he’d had with his teammates about sexuality.
“I got so pissed, you know? It would hurt Dev and Brody to hear the guys talking about them like that.” He drank from a water bottle. “And you too. I shut it down real quick.”
“Yeah. It would. I’m glad, Patrick. Standing up to those guys takes a lot of courage.”
“It was Rio. He talks out of his ass, but I think I set him and everyone else straight.”
“Good for you.”
“I don’t deserve credit for doing what’s right.” He frowned. “Who someone sleeps with shouldn’t matter to anybody but them. I’m sorry if you’ve ever been made to feel uncomfortable.”
“It’s okay. I appreciate knowing how you feel.”
“Don’t worry. I’m on your side.”
Patrick held my gaze, and my heart beat faster, doing a little tap dance in my chest.
I cleared my throat. “You have a lunch interview withSports Today, a call with your attorney at five p.m., and most importantly, it’s your mother’s birthday tomorrow.”
He smacked a hand over his face. “Shit. Between the move and the traveling, I forgot about it. Thanks. I’ll call her as soon as I get off with you.”
“Do you want me to send her a present? Tell me what she likes, and I’ll get it for her.” I pulled the laptop closer.
“No, listen. I have a better idea.”
“Okay. Shoot.” I pulled up my Notes app and waited.
“I want them at this upcoming game. Afterward, they can fly to New York and see my new place. Do you think you can arrange that? I’ll let them know the details once you arrange everything.”
“Yeah, of course, that won’t be a problem. Where would they sit in the stadium? Do you have a box or something?”
“I’ll have to let you know. I’ll talk to Coach about it. I don’t know how they handle that here.”
“Sounds good. And I’ll try to have them arrive in New York around the same time you do.”
“I dunno what time we’re flying out. Get them a flight in the morning—they’re early risers. And I’m gonna want to have dinner with them, so could you get us reservations?”
My fingers flew on the laptop. “Will do. You want them to come to the suite, or should I bring them directly to your place?”
“I think…I think I wanna show them the place myself. Bring them to the hotel, please. After I land, I’ll come there and bring them to the apartment.”
“You got it. Don’t worry. I’ll get it all squared away.”
“Thanks, Fallon. How’s it all going otherwise?”
My eyes were on the laptop screen, pulling up my list of favorite florists—I figured I’d fill the condo with flowers for his mother. “Everything’s fine.”
“Fine is such a blah word.”
