He slung an arm around my shoulder. “Relax, QB, she was just doing her job. Don’t take it personally.”
I wasn’t a newbie when it came to catching some shit in an interview. Typically, I let go once I walk away from the microphone. So, why was this one interaction with the prettyreporter with a sharp tongue sticking with me when I was hanging out at the bar with my teammates, blowing off steam?
Ryder nudged me on the arm. “You’re being awfully quiet all of a sudden.”
“Just tired.” I yawned, knowing I needed to head home soon and get some rest. Practice kicked my ass today.
He lifted a finger. “You know, if I learned anything over the years from being raised by a single mother and having two older sisters, it is that when someone says they are tired, it never actually means ‘I’m tired.’”
Jax pointed at Ryder. “What does it mean then?”
“It means something is wrong, and he doesn’t want to talk about it.”
Jax set his beer down. “So, you’re saying he’s using it as a cover?”
Ryder nodded. “Yep.”
I leaned back in my chair. “You guys are ridiculous.”
Ryder shook his head. “See, he’s deflecting again.”
Jax snorted into his beer.
“I’m just pissed that I let Becca Hendrix get under my skin today,” I said. “It feels like every time I open my mouth, I’m walking a thin line. One wrong word and I’m done.”
Jax shook his head. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Ryder and I say dumb shit for a living and haven’t gotten kicked off the team yet.”
We all laughed, and I was thankful they were letting it go. The thing I appreciated about these guys was that they knew when to push and when not to. Someone ordered another round. I didn’t stop them, but I didn’t order one for myself either.
Just as I was starting to get more comfortable, two girls walked up to our table, drinks in hand, dressed as if they wanted to be noticed.
“Hi, boys.” The blonde smiled, leaning her body into the table. She glanced at one of the TVs, then back at me. “You’re Nate Sandler, right?”
“Depends on who is asking,” I said, keeping it short.
I knew their type. It wasn’t necessarily me they were interested in. It was more about the story they would brag about and post for their friends. I fell for it when I was a rookie, back when the attention felt flattering, but that novelty wore off as I got older.
Her smile faltered for a second. “I’m a huge fan.”
I nodded my head. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
The two ladies kept talking, asking questions about what we were drinking and how long we were staying. I wasn’t paying attention, but that didn’t stop them from trying to engage with me. I didn’t have the energy for fakeness anymore, so why bother pretending?
The brunette shifted closer to Ryder, just enough that he almost swallowed his damn tongue. “We are headed out to the patio. You guys should join us.”
Ryder was halfway out of his seat. “Go ahead and twist my arm, why don’t ya.”
I pulled him by the elbow, shoving him back down into his seat. “We haven’t finished our drinks yet.”
His head snapped to mine with aWhat are you doing?Look.
The girls giggled, as if it were the funniest thing they had ever heard. They were pretty, confident, and friendly. Most guys would be all over that, but I learned a long time ago that these girls could be more trouble than they were worth.
The blonde squeezed my shoulder. “You can bring your drink outside.”
“Thanks, but we’re good right here.”
She blinked and exchanged a look between the boys and me. “You mean you? Or all of you?”
