Chapter 8
It’s hard not to smile when the game’s going your way.
Gage
I sigh and lean back in my lounge chair on the beach outside the resort. Today is perfect. The weather is beautiful, I’ve finished my daily workout, and I’m going to see Addy later.
She doesn’t know we’re meeting up yet but she will. I can’t wait. Every time I see her, every interaction we have, everything I learn about her, causes my fascination to grow.
Watching her write a song in front of me was amazing. The way she played with the lyrics. All while strumming her guitar. I’ve never witnessed anything as amazing.
People enjoy watching sports. They’d lose their minds if they knew how amazing watching an artist at work is.
“What is Brock doing?”
I open my eyes at Nolan’s question.
“He’s flirting.” Tanner stands. “I should show him how it’s done.”
“Sit down,” Corbin orders. “Leave him be. ”
“The same way your landlady leaves you be?” Tanner waggles his eyebrows. “She doesn’t hate you anymore?”
Corbin grunts and closes his eyes. The tight end doesn’t participate in conversations if he doesn’t want to. Which can be extremely frustrating when the press interviews him. He’s been known to walk out of press conferences without a word.
I search the beach until I find Brock. His arms are crossed over his chest as he glares down at a short woman. “Who is she?”
“May. She’s the resort’s surfing instructor,” Nolan says.
“Our star quarterback has made it his business to know all the staff of the female persuasion at the resort.”
Nolan glares at Tanner. “Someone has a big mouth, considering he’s been seen flirting with the bartender at Mermaid Karaoke every night this week.”
Tanner waves a hand in dismissal. “Alaia and I are friends.” He grins. “The same way Addy and Gage are.”
I frown. Alaia needs to be careful if Tanner is chasing her. A scandal is coming his way and it’s going to be brutal. I’d hate for the bartender to get caught in the crosshairs.
“What did you and Addy get up to yesterday?” Tanner asks.
“She was working on her songwriting. I watched. It was amazing. She pulled lyrics out of thin air. And they were good.”
“Addy is a songwriter?” Nolan asks.
“Yeah, she wants to sell her songs.” And she will. They’re too amazing to stay hidden in her notebook.
“You should contact Jerry,” Corbin says .
“Jerry?”
“The music producer. We met him at the fundraiser for CTE.”
I remember the fundraiser for chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The degenerative disease linked to dementiais a huge concern for players who suffer multiple concussions. But I don’t remember meeting a man named Jerry.
“Do you have his information?”
Corbin pulls out his phone. “I’ll text it to you.”
I nod my thanks. Addy is going to be beyond excited to be connected to a producer. I can’t wait to tell her. Maybe she’ll thank me with a kiss.
I thought she was going to kiss me at the library. My cock twitches at the memory. But we were interrupted before I got a chance to taste her lips. I bet my little songbird tastes sweet. Sweeter than anything I’ve tasted before.
“Someone struck out!” Tanner yells as Brock makes his way toward us.
Brock grunts. “Can’t strike out when you don’t go to bat. ”
Tanner snorts. “Please. You were practically drooling on the poor surfing instructor.”
“I don’t drool,” Brock grumbles.
“I’ve seen you, Mr. Grumpy. You drool all the time when you sleep on planes.”
“There’s no privacy with you around.”
Corbin nods. “I’ve been saying this for ages.”
Tanner rolls his eyes. “Because you’re locked up tighter than a piece of coal about to become a diamond.”
Corbin grunts. He knows better than to argue with Tanner. Tanner will continue arguing long after it’s obvious he’s lost. Except it’s not obvious to him since he keeps running his mouth.
“Bye, Dad!” Jace waves as he races past us.
“Where’s Jace going?” I ask.
“May is taking him go-karting.”
“You don’t want to go with?” Brock doesn’t have much time with his son during the season. Usually, they spend every moment together during the off-season to make up for it.
“You’re letting a stranger watch your kid?” Nolan asks.
Brock stands. “Maybe I should go with.”
“Crash!” Tanner hollers after him. “Another one falls!”
“For someone who doesn’t believe in love, you sure see it everywhere,” Nolan says.
Tanner’s nose wrinkles. “I believe in love.”
I raise my eyebrows. “You have love and sex confused.”
He waggles his eyebrows. “At least I’m getting some.”
“There’s more to a relationship than sex.”
Don’t get me wrong. Do I want to bury my cock deep into Addy? Hell yeah. But I’m enjoying getting to know her, too. She’s funny and sassy and responsible and hard-working. She’s more than a good time.
“Tell me more.” Tanner lays on his stomach in the sand in front of me, rests his chin in his hands, and kicks his feet out behind him. He thinks he’s being cute. He has cute and annoying confused.
I throw a handful of sand at him. “I’m not telling you shit. ”
He jumps to his feet and sprints to the water. “Last one in is a rotten egg.”
No one follows him.
Nolan sighs. “He has no clue how deep of shit he’s in.”
Corbin grunts in agreement.
“If he weren’t such an excellent wide receiver, I’d dump his ass.”
I shake my head. “No, you wouldn’t. You enjoy a challenge.”
“Speaking of challenges.” He stands and marches away.
“What challenge?” I ask Corbin.
“No idea. Which is how I prefer it.”
“And why you’re not staying at the resort with everyone else.”
He shrugs. “I enjoy my peace and quiet.”
Personally, I prefer having my teammates around. There’s always someone to grab a meal with, go for a run with, or work out with. I’ve spent enough of my life alone.
Tanner splashes out of the waves and races toward us.
“Speaking of alone.” Corbin stands and gathers his things.
I gather my things as well. I need a shower before I meet up with Addy. And I should probably let her know of my plans to see her.
I wait until I’m back in my room to message her. I have a surprise for you.
If it’s another coffee and Siren’s Snap cookie, I’ll love you forever .
Those words hit me in the chest. How would it feel to have a woman love you forever? To be loyal. To not give you up. To stand by your side and cheer you on.
I’ll pick both up on my way to meet you.
I tap my foot as I wait for her to answer. Finally, the dots appear.
Today doesn’t work. Otis has a football game.
And she’s going to watch his game. She’s such a good and loyal sister. Too bad she doesn’t realize how lucky she is to have siblings.
Football? You said the magic word.
You don’t want to watch a youth game. Trust me on this.
I love youth games. I used to play in those games.
Why not?
Let’s just say. They’re not in your league.
I’m intrigued. Where and when?
I’m serious, Gage. You won’t have any fun.
I frown. Does she not want me there? I thought we had a breakthrough in the library. Maybe she’s scared.
Nah. Addy isn’t afraid of anything. Not responsibility. Not hard work. And definitely not me.
Do you not want me to come?
You’re welcome to come but if you don’t have any fun, keep it to yourself. Grown men whining and complaining is pathetic.
I promise not to whine and complain. Unless the ref makes a bad call.
I guarantee you the ref will make at least one bad call.
Do I get to correct him ?
Nope.
Darn. I’ll see you soon.
I haven’t told you when and where.
And don’t think I didn’t miss your omission either. No worries. I’ll ask Parker.
The whole island is going to think we’re dating.
Good. Other men will keep away from her if they think she’s dating me. Which she will be. In time.
See you soon.
I throw my phone on my bed. I whistle as I saunter to my bathroom to shower. Today is perfect.