Chapter 5 #3
Resisting the pull to ask what she was wearing, resisting the need to amuse her, flirt a smile I couldn’t see from her, I closed my eyes. With gritted teeth, I forced myself to give a gentlemanly answer.
“Just asking. Didn’t want to keep you up.” Fuck.
“I’m not surprised that you’re a lousy liar.”
I held my breath, not sure what to say next, not sure why she didn’t hang up on me. Though I had my suspicions. There was a flirty note in her voice. Maybe she had the same kind of fantasies about me that I had about her. Maybe she wasn’t over her college crush.
“I’m sorry. It’s . . . been a while.” Lame excuse and not even close to the truth.
Sure, my abstinence contributed to my constant fantasizing about Mia, but only a small part, if I was honest. If abstinence was the only factor I would have called Denise tonight whether she wanted me to or not, wouldn’t I?
“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who should apologize. For teasing you. In truth, I’m still in my work scrubs and sitting on my couch. I worked late today. Still getting to know people, the EMTs.”
“Tell me more,” I said. I got comfortable on my pillows and didn’t want her to hang up.
“Did you know that EMTs from my hospital go to the games and are there for emergencies in addition to the team’s medical staff?”
“I didn’t realize they were from your hospital. The ones you’re in charge of?” Everything in my tired body seemed to perk up at this—a spark of interest about Mia was a powerful thing.
“Don’s been coming to games with the emergency crew for years,” I said. “Since before I was there. All the way back to when Trent Lockheed was on the team the year of the big HGH research controversy.”
“Long before our time,” she said. “Don is far more experienced than I am, knows so much. I’m lucky he’s a nice man and doesn’t mind helping me out, sharing his knowledge, especially about the people.”
“Good to have seasoned folks around to help out,” I said. “I wish Lockheed was still on the team when I started.”
“I think my Mom had a crush on Trent Lockheed, though he’s younger than her. I heard all about him, was fascinated by the HGH research, how he was a guinea pig. My father knew his wife, said she was brilliant.”
“Lockheed comes to games on occasion. With his wife. I could introduce you if you want?”
“No—I’d feel ridiculous. I wouldn’t know what to say—My mother and father were admirers of yours?” She laughed. I let the sound run through me, relax me.
“Happens all the time,” I said.
“Part of doing business as a superstar athlete?”
“Small part.” I lied. It was getting to be more of a thing each year. If—when our team won the Super Bowl things would get bonkers. I’d been warned. But I’d put up with the notoriety and whatever other shit went along with a big win. It would be a fucking small price to pay.
“That why you stay in or stick to dining out at Louie’s?”
“Maybe.” She was smart and it made me smile. “Speaking of which. Denise has us going out on a double date Friday with you and Tate.”
“I heard,” she said. “Someone going to tell Tate about the plan besides me?”
I chuckled. “You mean he hasn’t called you back, that bastard.”
“Oh, he called me. We haven’t made plans yet though, and my impression is he wanted me to himself.”
“That what he said? I’ll talk to him.” What the hell was I thinking? I had other plans for Friday night, didn’t I? In fact, I’d called to let her know Denise and I would not be going out.
“That would be great,” she said.
Fuck. What the hell was wrong with me? It was my chance to stay in all night and catch up on lost time in bed with Denise and I was messing it up.
“It won’t be for dinner,” I hedged. “Maybe dessert. Later. After nine.”
“Nine? I thought you’d be getting to bed early.” She sounded surprised. And she was right. I was still screwing this all up.
“Sure. We’ll see what happens. Let’s play this loose.”
She laughed then. That laugh. I let it spiral through me, settle to a nesting spot near my soul as it eased me.
“Oh—I get it. No need to worry about it. You stay in all night with Denise. I’ll be fine with Tate. I’ll see Denise at the game Sunday.”
I let out a long breath but disappointment tainted my relief.
She was right, though. She’d be fine with Tate.
That was a good thing and I had damn well better get over myself because I had no business wanting to spend time with Mia.
Not even as a friend. Not even to have dinner with her and Tate.
And especially not to cook dinner for her and Tate.
“I’ll let you get back to unwinding,” I said.
“Okay. Thank you for the happy birthday wish. See you later, Gabe.” We disconnected. See you later, Gabe. The words sounded so natural, like she expected us to carry on as if we were friends. We should be friends.
But I wasn’t going to kid myself. I didn’t want to be her friend. No way would I torture myself with that shit, or let her distract me from this season. The team was poised for a repeat Super Bowl win this year and I wasn’t about to mess that up.
I’d purged Mia once from my life and I could damn well do it again. I was older and wiser and stronger now. It should be cake. Starting now.
Picking up the remote, I punched the television off then punched my pillow once before lying back down.
Breathing deep, I concentrated on relaxing each muscle, starting at my toes.
My ritual for a good night’s sleep. This night, I wasn’t convinced it would work, but I doubled down on my determination.