Chapter 3
What the hell, man? I cant believe Carson thinks I need a publicist. I propped my elbow on the table and rested my forehead on two upraised fingers and a thumb.
I feel like a kid who got caught stealing cookies. I was being treated like one too, as far as I was concerned.
That was your first mistake, Hawk said. The Rapids quarterback and I were tight ever since we met. Even after he started dating Bec, a cute blonde journalist who clearly had bad taste in guys. He always had time for his friends. Most of the time anyway.
You got caught, Hawk finished. If youre going to steal cookies, make sure you cover your tracks.
Yeah, Chase agreed. Dont steal cookies in a room full of people with phones. The Rapids wide receiver, Chase was as loved up as Hawk these days. Poor guy never stopped smiling. As far as women went, Ashley was pretty nice. Certainly better than the usual women Chase had hanging off his arm.
Im not dumb enough to get caught stealing cookies, I said with a grunt. As for folks with phones, they should mind their own fucking business. Unless I was doing something I wanted the world to know about. Then, they could go nuts.
Look at this place. I gestured around Waves. Everyone was busy talking to people at their own tables, or on the stool beside them. A few were on devices, but none were waving them at us. They treated us like regular guys here. It was a refreshing change to other places, and one of the reasons we kept coming back.
What about this place? John, one of the owners, stopped on his way past. Youre not going to bring this place into disrepute too, are you?
I groaned while he grinned. John wouldnt be him if he didnt give us shit every chance he got.
Im on my best behaviour, I assured him. Like I always am.
If you say so. John made a face before he moved away.
Hawk looked like he was ready to burst out laughing.
What? I asked.
He grinned. When have you ever been on your best behaviour?
I pretended to be offended, which I was, a little bit. Only always. Im a good guy.
Hawk laughed. Yeah, youre a good guy, but youre also the one the boss assigned a nursemaid to.
I grunted in disgust. Shes not a nursemaid.
Close enough, Chase said.
You know what the really funny thing is? Hawk asked.
Why dont you go ahead and tell me. I gave him a dark look from under my eyebrows.
Hawk did. Grace is Becs best friend. Im going to get to hear all the juicy details.
I stared at him for a moment, but apparently he wasnt joking.
I didnt take you for the kind to gossip, I said sourly.
Im not, Hawk replied. But its hard not to listen when Grace comes over for dinner.
Hmmm. I lowered my hand to the table. I hate to disappoint you, Mr Quarterback, but all youll hear about me is sunshine and rainbows. If he even heard that much. Conrad Thomas would be pissed if Grace went off babbling about work to her friends. Hawk knew that too, but of course he couldnt resist acting like it might happen. Asshat.
Yeah, thats what I think of when I think of you, Chase said ironically. Sunshine and rainbows.
Bull, I said. Youre too busy thinking about the next prank youre pulling on my ass.
That too. Chase laughed. Which reminds me, I owe you one.
Id be more than happy if you dont repay that debt, I said. In fact, why dont I take another turn? If there was anything I enjoyed in life, it was pranking Chase McKinney.
Maybe you should dial that back until the boss is happy, Hawk suggested. If he hears of any pranks, hell have your ass made into a football.
If he hears, I said. The only problem was, Hawk was right. If I put a toe out of line, and Carson heard about it, hed be pissed. I couldnt afford to piss him off right now.
I sighed and took a gulp of my beer, only to find the glass already empty.
Hawk and Chase both laughed.
I flipped them the finger.
Careful, someone might take a photo and put it online, Hawk warned, the grin never leaving his face.
Im never gonna be allowed to have fun ever again, I groaned. This is bullshit. Its not like you guys are perfect. How come I get singled out?
Because youre so shy? Hawk suggested. No one ever notices you. This is your chance.
I gave him a flat stare. If I was anything, it wasnt shy. I regretted letting Chantel talk me into stepping foot into that bar, but I didnt regret bowing. That was me. Always had been, always would be. I liked being the centre of attention. On the field, on the catwalk or out buying food, I didnt mind being noticed, and having pretty ladies stare, and let me sign their boobs. I worked hard to get where I was. Why shouldnt I enjoy every moment of it while it lasted?
Shy, my ass, I muttered. This is going to suck.
No one said you have to become a nun. Hawk stood and grabbed up our empty glasses to take back to the bar. Just do good things in public.
I can do that, I said. As for being a nun, that was a low blow. He knew I thought about becoming a priest before my talent for football was discovered. Some might say both were a religion. Personally, I wouldnt, and I preferred to be called a football king than a football god, but I kept those thoughts to myself. My beliefs were my business, as far as I was concerned.
Except for praying before every game. Even guys who didnt believe did that. Just in case.
Sure you can. Chase spoke in that way that suggested he didnt believe it for a minute.
I shrugged. You wanna make a bet on that?
Chase cocked his head at me. Nope. Id hate to take your money.
No you wouldnt. I nodded my thanks as Hawk placed three beers on the table and slid one toward me.
No, youre right, I wouldnt, Chase agreed. Im still not taking that bet.
What bet is that? Hawk asked. He chuckled when Chase explained. Yeah, I wouldnt take that either. Grace will kick your butt in the right direction, whether you like it or not. By the time shes done, the whole world will think your shit doesnt stink.
It doesnt, I said with a grin. It smells like roses.
Roses, my ass. Chase shook his head. Keep telling yourself that. He stopped and looked thoughtful.
No, Hawk said.
What? Chase frowned at him.
Dont try to think up a prank to make his crap actually smell like roses, Hawk said.
Chase grinned. What makes you think?—
Because I know you, Hawk said firmly. Anyway, if it was even possible, wouldnt people have invented it already?
Chase shrugged and looked disappointed. I guess so.
Sounds like you two need this Grace lady more than I do, I said. Especially Chase.
I have Ashley to keep me on track, Chase protested. He had a silly grin on his face now. The kind guys had when they were in love. A tiny part of me envied him and Hawk. They both seemed really happy. I was happy for them.
On the other hand, I didnt want to be tied down, no matter how nice it might feel at the time. What was the expression? So many women, so little time. That was me. Imagine how many hearts would break if I stuck with one woman. I owed it to them, and myself, to stay open and available until at least the end of time, if not longer.
She might need to work at that a bit harder. I tilted my head to peer under the table. I see she buys your clothes for you now. I let a grin split my face. His jeans and matching socks looked new.
Hey, Ive had this outfit since before I met her, Chase protested. Ashley was a buyer for the department store chain Laceys. She always looked immaculate. Chase—well he could learn some lessons from her.
We can tell, Hawk said. He clapped Chase on the shoulder.
Its comfortable, Chase muttered.
Sure it is, I agreed. He actually looked good. He usually did. I was pretty sure he knew that. Still, getting a rise out of him was fun.
Hey guys, sorry Im late. Ollie Tucker flopped into the chair opposite me and curled his hand around a glass of something cold. Bourbon and cola unless I missed my guess. Ollie was barely old enough to drink.
Hey, finally got away from all those admirers, I teased.
He blushed. Something like that.
Blessed or cursed—depending how you look at it—with movie star good looks, women stopped Ollie wherever he went. Im pretty sure hes lost count of the marriage proposals by now.
As Rapids centre, he was the most eligible bachelor on the team. More eligible than me, because he seemed open to the idea of meeting someone. Shed have to be pretty badass to put up with women following him around though.
Hawk and Chase both chuckled.
Chase patted his shoulder sympathetically.
Some day youll be old and bald.
Like Chase is now, I said, before anyone else could.
Youre older than I am, Chase pointed out.
Yeah, but Ive got better hair. I patted my head and smiled.
Chase snorted. Sure you do.
I made a face at him, but sat back in my chair, confident in my hair, if nothing else.
You know hell still look good when hes in his sixties. Hawk nodded toward Ollie. Hes one of those lucky guys.
Ollie sighed. Im starting to think no one sees me as a person, including you guys.
Of course we do, I assured him. Were just jealous, thats all.
Speak for yourself, Chase said. Its not fun having women throw themselves at you all the time.
The hell its not, I argued. I start to worry Ive lost my vibe if it doesnt happen at least once a day. Okay, maybe once a week.
Cant have the Bam-man losing his vibe, Chase said.
Shit no, we cant, I agreed. Im all about the vibe.
Isnt that why the boss is making you work with a publicist? Ollie asked. Too much vibe?
Too much something, Hawk agreed.
Jealousy is a sin and curse, I told him. With some work, you could be almost as awesome as me.
Almost? Hawk asked.
Yeah. This awesomeness is beyond the scope of most mere humans. I grinned and puffed out my chest.
Hawk snorted. I should have guessed.
You really should, I agreed. But now you know.
You know what I think? Chase said slowly.
What? I asked, even though I probably shouldnt.
I think you need to get laid. Chase smirked.
You offering? I shot back.
As tempting as that is, Chase said, Im a one person…person. Ashley, she could probably do better than Chase. Seriously though, they were cute together. I hoped for their sakes it would last.
I sipped my beer and thought about how I could make this arrangement with Grace not run on for too long. The last thing I needed was anyone, man or woman, cramping my vibe.