The guy could handle defenders twice his size, but apparently, Madden NFL 26 took him out.
“Because this game is trash,” Jax muttered as the game glowed across his giant TV while the three of us were spread out on his sectional.
Jax was a grown-ass man who had the emotional maturity of a twelve-year-old. Sometimes it was hard to believe he was a professional athlete with millions in the bank.
Ryder pointed at the screen. “Dude, you ran the same play three times in a row. What did you expect?”
“I was hoping the third time would be the charm,” he grumbled, leaning back dramatically.
I snorted. “Clearly, it wasn’t.”
He reached for his beer. “I hate playing with you. And you don’t need to draft yourself every damn time you play.”
I rolled my eyes. “All you do is whine when you lose.”
I swear, the guy had multiple personalities. Normally, he was all golden retriever energy until the second something stopped going his way; then he became a big pain in the ass.
He kicked his feet up on his overpriced coffee table. “Pretty easy to say that when you win every game. Now I know why no one likes quarterbacks. You are too fucking cocky.”
Ryder laughed from the other side of the couch. “Okay, guys. Time out for a minute. I need some advice,” he said, pulling out his phone. “I matched with this girl.”
Jax and I both groaned. Ryder was a good guy, but he wanted the type of relationship people wrote songs about. He thought every girl he swiped right on had potential.
“Anyway,” he ignored us, “this one feels different.”
I narrowed my eyes. “That’s what you say about all of them.”
Ryder literally fell hard and fast. Usually, before common sense had a chance to kick in. It didn’t matter if it was a bartender, a nanny, or a girl he met on a dating app. The man loved women and got attached way too easily.
He shook his head, turning toward me. “I’m serious.”
“What happened with the dog groomer you hooked up with last week?”
He went quiet for a second, which wasn’t a good sign.
“She’s not looking for a relationship.”
I leaned forward, gentling my tone. “You gotta stop treating every woman like she’s your future wife. Slow down a bit. If it happens, it happens.”
He looked directly at me. “At least I’m trying to find someone.”
I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ryder pointed his beer bottle at me. “You’re going to be grumpy and alone forever.”
Jax let out a laugh, while I stared both of them down.
“I’m not grumpy. I’m just not in a rush to find anyone.”
It wasn’t that I wanted to be single forever. I spent years thinking I had found someone, only to find out how wrong I was.
“Pretty sure you actually had to leave your house every once in a while to find someone.” Jax smirked, reaching for a slice of pepperoni pizza.
Apparently, choosing sleep over going out and making bad decisions meant there was something wrong with me. I used to stay out and have fun. I’ve done reckless. I’ve done stupid. I also learned what happened if I didn’t set limits for myself. I was at a point in my life where I needed sleep. My future was on the line. I had to be careful. It wasn’t just about me trying to stay relevant or my pride. It was me acknowledging that I was one hit away from a career-ending injury.
“What about you, Jax?” Ryder asked, setting his drink on a coaster.
Jax took a bite of his pizza and lifted his shoulder. “I’m not worried about it. I don’t want to date somebody just because I’m bored. When I meet a woman worth the headache, I’ll deal with it.”
