“Are you here with anyone?” I ask, and I hope she can’t hear the nervousness in my voice.
She nods, our eyes still locked in the hold that something has over us. “Yes. It’s a girls’ weekend. They dared me to go on stage with you.”
I don’t know how many friends she’s here with, but I need to buy them drinks for the rest of the night. “What would they say if I invited you and them to come party with me and my teammates?”
That seems to surprise her. “Really? All three of us? What’s the catch?”
“No catch,” I say as I try to put her at ease, not even thinking, but probably should have, that I’m still a stranger asking her to come hang out with other strangers. “I’d never want to break up a girls’ trip. I have a sister. I know those are sacred. But I really, really, want to keep talking to you, Gabi. And if I’m lucky, maybe later there can be an encore performance?”
I didn’t mean the double entendre. I really did mean singing with her again. But the way her eyes darken at my words makes me think that maybe, if I’m lucky enough, there can be an additional victory in my hotel room.
“I’m okay with it,” she says before looking over to a table where two women are watching with rapt attention. “But they have to sign off on it.”
I smile and put my hand on the small of her back. “Then lead the way.”
Gabi gives me one more glance, making sure that I’m serious before walking toward the two women who are looking us over closer than the TSA. I laugh as their eyes linger on where my hand is placed. They’re owning their gawking. I can appreciate that.
“Ladies, I’ve been told this is the best table in the house. Mind if I join you?”
“Mind? We absolutely don’t mind!” one of her friends squeals, pulling me in for a hug. “I’m Hannah. This is Shelby. And well, you know Gabi.”
Not as well as I hope to. “Nice to meet all of you. I’m Maddox Gallagher.”
“Oh, we know,” Shelby says, giving me a knowing eye. “Nice interception you had tonight.”
“Thank you,” I say. “Did you three watch the game?”
“Kind of hard to miss it,” Shelby says. “But, the more important question is, what brings you over here, Maddox Gallagher? And why aren't you on stage with your teammates?”
By the look of Shelby’s smile, and the mischievous look in her eye, I can already tell this woman is being the ultimate wing woman.
“For starters, they don’t need me for this song.” As if on cue, all of them join in for an epic part of the bridge for this iconic boyband song. “Second, I was hoping that I could invite the three of you to come over and celebrate with us.”
I don’t expect an answer right away; in fact, what’s happening I knew was going to. They’re having a silent council meeting, all of them having some weird conversation with their eyes about what they’re supposed to say. I’ve seen this before. My sister also had two best friends, and I swear half of their communication was telepathic. I can only hope as I watch thisthat whatever talk they’re having is favorable for the outcome that keeps Gabi in my orbit a little bit longer.
“I have a few questions first,” Gabi says, though I catch a glimpse of both Hannah and Shelby, who look like—unless I royally fuck up this quiz—the answer is going to be yes.
“Shoot. I’m an open book.”
“For starters, are we going to be the only women there? Because I’ve listened to that podcast and it usually doesn’t bode well for the females.”
I shake my head. “Absolutely not. There are plenty of wives and girlfriends with us. Some are drinking with us, some are sober to make sure we act right.”
“Good to know. Are there going to be more stage performances?”
“I hope so,” I say. “Never in my life have I come to sing karaoke and only gone on stage once. I just hope you’re going to come up there with me.”
Gabi’s trying to fight her smile, but Hannah and Shelby? They’re clearly Team Maddox. Love this for me.
“Will you let me pick the songs?”
“You picking the songs in exchange for you and your friends hanging out with me for the night? Gabi, I’d sing ‘Barbie Girl’ on repeat if that meant I could spend tonight celebrating with you.”
“Well then, that settles it!” Shelby yells as she picks up her purse and stands from the table. “Let’s combine these celebrations!”
Hannah lets out a scream of excitement, following Shelby when the words she uses hit me. “Celebrate? What are you celebrating?”
Hannah and Shelby are headed toward the obvious VIP area where the Fury players are gathered when Gabi turns to me, taking a deep breath before she says the words I wasn’t ready for. “My divorce.”
