“Gage, put the cooler in the cart. You’re going to give yourself a hernia carrying a gazillion pounds of meat.”
“A gazillion pounds?” He smirks. “I’ll tell the team I’m now the heaviest lifter.”
“Stop joking. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“I like how you’re worried, but there’s no reason to be.”
I scowl. “You’re stubborn.”
“Come on.” He motions me forward. “Let’s grab some chips and potato salad.”
Chips and potato salad? By the time we finish shopping, the cart is overflowing with all kinds of snacks.
“I thought you had weigh-ins,” I say as we load the food into Gage’s SUV.
“Are you saying I’m fat?”
I rake my gaze over his body. Fat is the last word I’d use to describe Gage Edwards. Fit, muscular, sexy. Those are the words that immediately come to mind.
I feign nonchalance. “I guess not.”
He shakes his head as he slams the back closed. “I’m going to have to work hard to impress my songbird.”
No one’s worked hard to impress me before. Not even my previous boyfriends. They were too busy complaining about all the messages I received during dates. As if it’s my fault my sisters squabble like it’s an Olympic event they plan to medal in.
He escorts me to the passenger door, but I hesitate. “Should I drive myself? I don’t want you to have to drive back into town after the barbecue.”
“I’ll be happy to drive you.”
My nose wrinkles. “But then you can’t drink.”
“I’m in training. I won’t drink more than a beer or two anyway.” He opens the door and nudges me inside.
“If you’re sure.”
He tweaks my nose. “It’s my privilege to drive you, songbird.”
Privilege? He’s trying too hard.
Except when I gaze into those chocolate brown eyes with those green flecks, all I see is pure honesty.
I give in. “Okay.”
“Will Tanner, Nolan, Brock, and Corbin be at the barbecue?” I ask once we’re driving out of town toward the resort.
“I don’t know about Brock and Corbin, but Tanner and Nolan definitely will be there. Tanner because he’s a goofball who can’t resist a party. Nolan, because as the quarterback, he thinks it’s his job to keep us out of trouble.”
I snort. “I doubt there’s anyone who can keep Tanner out of trouble.”
He glances over at me. “Tanner has issues.”
“Sammy!” I point to the road. “Stop! Stop! Stop!”
Gage brakes and manages to screech to a halt a few feet from the seal. “Holy shit. Is there a seal in the middle of the road?”
“I told you about Sammy.”
“I thought you were making up a story.”
