But now that I’ve had a taste of what it’s like to take some of that weight from Sutton’s shoulders, I’m positively fucked. That's all I can think about.
“Holy shit!” Gray shouts, then whistles appreciatively. “Did you fuckingseethat?”
I blink, scanning the field.Goddamnit, I didn’t see a thing.
I look at Gray and he lifts one eyebrow. “Safe to say you’re more distracted than usual. You just missed an epic play by Mac Timms. You know, the kid we’re supposed to be watching tonight?”
I bring the bottle to my lips and finish off the beer, then hand it to a passing server. “One more of these when you get a sec.”
The kid nods and disappears into the crowd of football fans.
“Thanks!” I shout after him as an afterthought.
“This is your favorite game of the year,” Gray says, pulling my attention back to him. “And you’re not even watching.”
“No, I’m watching, I just…”Fuck’s sake.
My eyes drift down to the loge seats on the next level, a head of wavy, dark brown hair catching my attention. I wait, willing the woman to turn around so I can confirm who I think it is. If she’d just look up—
But then she laughs, tilting her head back, and my pulse accelerates. I’d know that woman’s laugh anywhere.
My mouth goes dry.
“Christ, man, will you just get her into bed already so we can all get on with our lives?”
My eyes flick to Gray, then Sasha. “Apologies for my friend. Apparently, he’s an uncouth asshole.”
Gray chuckles. “She’s aware. But you know what I mean, man. This obsession is getting ridiculous.”
Preaching to the choir.“She wants nothing to do with me.”
“I think we both know that’s a crock of shit.”
“Who are we talking about?” Sasha asks, scanning the people around us.
Gray points to the level below. “The only woman to ever turn down a date with the infamous Max Cruz.”
Sasha looks from Sutton up to me, eyes narrowing. “I doubt she’s theonlyone.”
“Gee, thanks, Sash.”
“No offense.”
“None taken.” My eyes drift down to the loge level, finding Sutton immediately even though she’s wandered away from the box she was in when I first spotted her. She smiles and laughs with everyone she speaks to and the easy engagement makes my chest tighten with a twinge of jealousy. Why everyone else gets this side of her will always be a source of confusion and frustration for me. She works so hard to push me away—
“What’s stopping you from going down there? You need a pep talk, buddy?” Gray steps into my line of sight and gripsmy shoulders. “You’re Maxwell fucking Cruz, man. Best QB in the league. Three-time MVP and two-time Superbowl champ. I mean, shit, man, look at you.” He cups my cheek affectionately. “You’re nearly as handsome as I am. You run the biggest and best sports agency of our time,andyou still have all your hair—”
“I sound like a douchebag.”
Sasha giggles, then quickly tries to cover the sound by clearing her throat. She gives me an apologetic smile, then focuses on something extremely interesting on the floor.
“I’m just saying. You’re not some schmuck who can’t get a girl and has to pine over them. We’re go-getters, you and me, so fuck, bro,go get her.”
I glance at Sasha, who gives me an encouraging nod. “She’d be lucky to have you.”
Smiling, I straighten, then give them both an affirmative nod. They’re right.
But even if they’re wrong, I’m not giving up on this woman.
