Page 21 of Falling for the Orc All-Star

“Sure you don’t want me to stay? You know I’m always in your cheering section, King. How about you givemesomething to cheer about?”

That little stalker! She makes a grab at King, but he’s fast, even on crutches. He catches her hand before it can connect with his bare skin, pushing her away.

His voice is firm and annoyed. “Stop trying to touch me. I have someone I’m interested in, and it’s not you.”

I gasp, and Kev chuckles. “I think that’s you.”

“Shut up,” I mutter.

Blonde Ice Bunny is still pouting and posing for the camera. “She’s not built like this, though, right?” The camera dips towards her chest.

“No. She’s built considerably better. And it doesn’t matter what she looks like, you’re not her. And I only want her!”

A guy with a shaggy beard, round wire-rimmed glasses, and a Lumberjack’s hat suddenly appears in the corner of the screen.

“Can you guys believe this? This is only two days after King Silverbow had a serious fall and got put on the DL. This woman seems to have shown up uninvited, looking to score, and I’m not talking about getting it in the net! Whether she’s a fan or not, this crosses a line and invades a player’s private life. If you’re a real Lumberjacks fan like I am, you’ll only be wishing King Silverbow and his mystery lady all the best and a speedy recovery. King, if you see this, get well soon. We love you, man.”

I hand the phone back. “That’s very sweet of him.”

“I think he’s sweet on you.”

“I meant the guy in the hat.”

“Oh, him. What about King? Why aren’t you coming to dinner? Yes, I heard you. I just have selective response time.”

“He’s not my type.”

“Ah.”

Kevin is a good guy. Respectful. He doesn’t push.

So why do I keep talking? “He’s ten years younger than me. I’m in my thirties. I like my life the way it is. The only person I’d evenconsider letting in is someone serious, not some twenty-something hockey boy-toy.”

“Right.” He nods, and we walk through the door to the office. Kev locks it behind us.

“I told you about the lady at the restaurant. Now I can ‘see’ things the way they actually are. King is...”

“Green and ugly?”

“He’s gorgeous! Color doesn’t change that!” I snap, way more intense than I want to be.

Kev runs a forefinger down his own strong jaw and poses for a minute. “Tell me something I don’t know. Is it the tusks?”

“No. Nothing to do with looks. Everything to do with him being young and arrogant, and me being perfectly content without someone to bring the drama to my life. He might be a minor league All-Star, but he’s major league drama.”

“I never told you about how Marina’s demon overlord daddy came and tried to drag her back into the underworld to force her to be his handmaid, and how one of her sisters turned up at a picnic and ripped a guy’s throat out, did I?”

My startled spluttering, choking sounds are answer enough. “The fuck?” I let the profanity fly in my shock.

“Oh, yeah. Marina doesn’t like to talk about him. And I’m pretty sure he’s gone-gone, but that’s a long story. The point is, she’s older than me, by several hundred years, actually, she’s got a past, and drama enough to fill several books—no, hell, severalbookstores. But she’s worth it. So worth it.” His smile says it all.

True love.

Magical love.

Happiness.

No, I’m not envious. I have peace and contentment. I don’t need love. Love is usually disruptive, and if my parents have taught me anything, it’s that it's not reliable.