Micah: If this is about what I think it is, I’m there.
Cade: Well, now I’m intrigued.
Davis: Let’s say 3:30. That’s right before rush.
Reid: I’m there.
I head out of the bathroom, but my phone pings again, and I stop in my tracks.
Micah: I’ll let the doorman know no one is allowed up while we’re gone.
Me: You might want to have someone look at the fire escape. That’s how I got in before.
Micah: You dick.
Me: I had motivation.
Micah: Calling someone now. In the meantime, check the window before you leave and make sure it’s locked.
Me: On it.
Tab’s and Raeann’s voices filter in from the living room while I slip into Tab’s room. The jersey I dropped off earlier is laid out on the bed, the number nineteen on proud display. I can’t wait to see what she looks like wearing my number and my name. Before I can dwell on it too much, I check the window, find it locked, and then head out into the living room again.
I only have a few minutes before I need to leave for the meetup. My phone buzzes again, and I’m sure it’s just someone verifying they’ll be there, or Davis telling us he reserved a table. The perks of owning the restaurant and all that.
Tab looks up from a pamphlet the receptionist gave her. “You’re meeting the guys?”
I smirk. Jesus, Micah is fast. I’m in the same apartment as them, and he still managed to tell Raeann before I could say anything. “We’ll only be a little while.”
“Just a friendly dinner?”
“We haven’t seen each other much off the field. It’s good to connect outside of the game. Did you see the jersey I left on your bed?” I ask, trying to reroute her attention.
Her eyes widen, and she stands, runs to her room, and squeals. Raeann laughs. A few moments later, Tab walks out with it already on. It dwarfs her body, making her seem small and helpless.
I can’t stop staring. “It was the smallest size I had available.”
“We’ll make it work,” Raeann pipes up. She claps her hands. “I cannot wait to hang out at games with you. Like we did before, but now you’ll actually be interested in the game, too!”
I clasp my chest like I’m having a heart attack. “You weren’t interested before?”
Tab winks at me. “I was interested in looking at that ass.”
“I’ll make sure to wiggle it for you, babe.” I walk up, placing my hands on her cheeks. “I have to go, but I’ll text you later. Or even see you later.”
“Okay.” She peers up at me through her lashes, and my heart does a double-beat, hard and fast. If McNally did anything to her, he’ll pay for it. I’ll make sure of it.
Davis is alreadyat the table when I walk in. For the moment, the restaurant is lit well. The true ambience of Don Dilelo’s doesn’t start until dinnertime when the lights are dimmed, the candles are lit at every table, and soft music plays in the background.
“What’s up?” Davis asks as I sit in the seat next to him. Immediately, a server comes over, and I grab a water. “How was Tab’s appointment?”
I sigh, sitting back in my chair. “Not all great news. Her body stopped healing, so they want to go in with another surgery next week.”
“Aw man. Tell her I’m thinking about her, and if you guys need anything…”
“I know.”
As I thought, the guys were all shocked when I told them it was Tab I was serious about. They were quick to rally behind us though.
