“Yeah.”
“Well, let’s set the record straight: I wouldn’t do anything that would necessitate me bringing gas station flowers to the bar at midnight.”
With my eyes glued to the game, I felt my lips tug upward slightly.Good answer.
“You don’t believe in grand gestures?” I asked sarcastically.
He let out a light chuckle. “I mean, yeah, if the situation calls for it. But I’m more low-key with it. I move in silence.”
“Closed mouths don’t get fed.”
“True. But if I’m doing my job, a closed mouth won’t stop me from feeding her.”
I glanced over at him and found him staring at me.
My heart slammed into my chest.
He licked his lips. “Making sure she’s good, taking care of her, keeping her happy, safe, and wanting for nothing.” His eyes dropped to my mouth. “I take my time, but I’m thorough. You feel me?”
My pulse quickened. Swallowing hard, I nodded. “Yeah, I feel you.”
“You like grand gestures?” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder.
I looked at the man groveling across the bar and shook my head. “I like what’s real,” I answered, getting back to the game. “I don’t like a lot of attention, so doing all that would be”—I hesitated before settling on a word—“embarrassing.”
“Like that call?”
I smiled, pleased at how he’d read my mind. “How are the refs not seeing anything the Wasps are doing but flagging the Monarchs for everything?” I complained.
“And they’re giving my boy a fifteen-yard penalty for the same shit the Wasps did and weren’t penalized for,” he added.
“You and I both know that Tim Bradley is the league’s golden boy.” I rolled my eyes. “That’s the only quarterback who can literally cheat and everyone turns a blind eye.”
He chuckled under his breath. “That’s the truth.”
“I can’t wait until the truth comes out about him.”
“Believe me, the league knows. There’s just too much money wrapped up in him to do anything about it.”
I tapped my nail against the bar. “And that’s the problem. It’s all about the money.”
“It’s a business. They run it like a business, and the players are pawns. That’s why players need to invest in themselves and notjustbe pawns for the system.”
I wasn’t sure if it was the passion in his words or the way in which he was articulating his point, but I wasveryattracted to him in that moment.
“I feel the exact same way. I always wondered if there’s something in place for them.”
“There is, but…”
His hesitation intrigued me. I tilted my head to the side. “But what?”
“I’ve been working on something that’ll help bridge the gap. I have the business plan, but I don’t know…”
The tinge of uncertainty was endearing.
“You should do it,” I told him, resisting the urge to pat his back or squeeze his hand. For some reason, I felt compelled to comfort him with physical touch. Instead, I clasped my hands in my lap. “You really should.”
“You think so?”
