FIVE YEARS AGO
“God, you look good.” My eyes sweep over my date standing next to me.
She’s a tiny thing, maybe five foot three if I had to guess, and I tower over her as we stand on this red carpet waiting to go inside.
She smiles up at me, tucking her purse under her arm. Her light brown eyes sparkle, and I notice the bright pink shade on her cheeks. I honestly can’t tell if it’s makeup or if she’s blushing. But I don’t care, she’s keeping me company for this charity event.
“Thank you,” she says. “You clean up nicely too.” Her eyelashes flutter my way.
I follow behind her—unabashedly distracted by the sway of her hips as she walks into the downtown hall.
When I asked Lacy to come with me tonight, I knew it would be a yes. She’s fun company on nights I just don’t feel like being alone.
This charity event is packed to the brim with athletes from around the city. It’s always really cool to see how everyone rallies behind a good cause.
There’s soft music coming from a band in the back corner, and I can spot the basketball players right away—giant motherfuckers they are. Tampa’s team recently signed a new power forward and it’s been the talk of the town since it happened, considering how awful they are. Well, itwasthe talk of the town until two days ago when the Knights officially named me the starting quarterback going forward. And the spotlight shifted to that.
Funny how fast news moves and how quickly the next best thing pops up.
“This is our table,” Lacy says, reaching for my hand and gently tugging me to the right.
I pull out her chair, and she sits before I take my own seat, leaving the table with four other open chairs. I recognize Connor Hughes’s name right away—he plays for Tampa’s baseball team. One other name is that of a hockey player, the other two chairs are on the opposite side—too far for me to read the names.
“What’s up, man?” Connor palms my shoulders from behind, and I tilt my chin up at him with a smile.
“Hell yeah, good to see you.”
“You too,” he says, taking a seat to my left. “Congratulations on becoming the starter, don’t fuck it up.” He quickly tips his head as he laughs.
“I’ll do my best,” I answer, just as I feel Lacy’s hand on my thigh. Her delicate fingers create circles over my black suit pants, and I knock my head back just the slightest, the physical touch feels good.
From across the room, I notice a crowd gathering around a few people, one sticking out amongst the rest.
Connor’s chin tilts up. “That’s Brandon Nells, new power forward for the Wildcats. That’s who they’re hoping can turn the franchise around.”
“He’s fucking massive.”
“Six foot eight.” Connor scoffs, shaking his head just before taking a sip of his drink.
A small crowd of people begin making their way toward our table, and I’m starting to think one of the name tags on the opposite side says Brandon Nells.
“Hey,” Connor says, and both of us stand.
Maybe with both of us standing upright we’ll each appear taller—two guys around six foot two should balance out one at six foot eight, right?
“Hey, man, welcome to Tampa.” I extend my hand.
“You’re Evans,” he says. His voice is fucking deep, and I don’t know if he’s making it deeper on purpose or if he actually sounds like Thor in real life.
“I am,” I say with a grin. “Liam Evans. Nice to meet you.”
Connor introduces himself, and I watch as the people behind Brandon fan out. A few of the planned speeches are about to begin—I know aquiet downgesture when I see one as the lights lower.
“Brandon,” he says as he takes a seat at the table. I give Connor a quick side-eye as we both notice how much fucking space he takes up.
The Wildcats are expecting big things from him—and honestly, they should.
I take a sip of my drink, feeling the burn as it coats my throat, and turn my head toward the bar to see if I can make it there and back for another before anyone starts talking. But there’scommotion on the other side of the table and I quickly glance that way.
