Busted.
I give my best not-so-guilty shrug. What does he expect?
He knows he looks good, and the wink he sends confirms it.
I shake my head. It’s time to focus my attention elsewhere as I gratefully spot a different group that is also hard at work preparing for the next game.
Our very own dance and cheer squad, The Boot Scootin’ Boomers, are also practicing their new routine.
They are a new addition this year, and they’ve already been a huge hit. Rather than traditional cheerleaders, we recruited a group of retired dancers from a nearby studio.
The majority of them had been looking for a fun and useful way to spend their retirement, and this agreement worked well for everyone.
“Hey, ya’ll,” I greet them, my once-buried Texas drawl making an unwelcome comeback. So much for thinking it’d disappeared with my move. Seems like the longer I’m back home, the old me seems to fall right back into place. “Mind if I film some behind the scenes content and conduct some interviews?”
“Of course. Whatever you need darlin,’” Bill, one of the most adorable old men I’ve ever seen, assures me.
The rest of the squad nod in agreement.
I assumed they’d say yes, but I’m still grateful to have something else I can focus my time and energy on. A girl can only stare at a shirtless Mason Fletcher for so long before she does something stupid, and I’m just not ready to make any more questionable decisions.
It also helps that these people are a hoot. They're hilarious, and just like with everyone else in this league, they know how to appeal to the fan base.
Usually being on the field in the middle of the action is my favorite part of the day, but as I finish up with the Boomers, I’m eager to head back to my office to start editing.
“You really heading out without even saying goodbye?” an oh-so-familiar voice calls, the sound growing louder, and unfortunately more confident the closer they get.
“I didn’t realize I needed to.”
I keep my eyes trained ahead. Without even having to look, my body senses his still-shirtless torso and that’s the last thing I need to see. It isn’t even halfway through the day, and I still have lots of work to do. I can’t afford to lose focus, or get lost in a distraction—especially the kind with a six-pack and dimples.
Focus, girl. They’re just abs. Plenty of attractive guys have them.
“I don’t know, I thought we took our friendship to a whole new level the other day. I just assumed that changed some things,” he says, his voice teasing.
“I thought you said you were just doing me a favor. I didn’t realize it came with certain expectations.”
Against my better judgement, I stop and turn. I stay strong though, keeping my gaze straight ahead, angling my chin upward toward his face. I refuse to look down, even if my eyes would absolutely love the field trip.
“Well,” he continues, stepping closer, “we used to be friends who didn’t do each other favors, but now we do. That has to change some things, don't ya think?"
I purse my lips and tilt them to the side. “Maybe, but I’m still expecting there to be some sort of catch to all this,” I say, placing a hand on my hip. “Because, well, come on, there’s always a catch.”
His eyes widen in mock innocence as he clutches his chest. “Really Hollis? You really think I have ulterior motives?”
I nod, biting back a smile. “As a matter of fact I do.”
“Okay fine,” he says, giving in with a dramatic sigh. “I was actually sort of hoping that after how helpful I was, that perhaps maybe you’d want to do something nice for me in return.”
My face falls. Of course that’s what he’d be after. I really shouldn’t be surprised.
"Sorry Fletch, but if you were expecting me to drop on my knees right in the middle of the locker room, you can forget that right now.” My eyes narrow as I fold my arms. “And what happened to me not owing you anything unless I wanted to?”
He lets out a chuckle, and my stern face lets him know I’m not in the mood.
“Nothing, because I meant it. You have this all wrong,” he says, a grin still firmly planted on his face. “I didn’t realize you had such a dirty mind and that’s the first place your head would go.”
Oh, if he only knew.
