Page 24 of Not that Impressed (Houston Pumas #3)

WILL

That dance with Ellie Monday night was electric. I don’t know how else to describe the energy between us. Without the words or judgments or anything to get in the way, our attraction to each other is undeniable. The feeling of her in my arms isn’t something I’ll forget anytime soon.

Ellie’s right. It doesn’t mean everything is magic.

I don’t make things messy, like I told her.

To avoid a mess, we need to spend time together and have conversations.

During my down hours the next few days, which are not many, I try to figure out something low-key that she’ll agree to.

It means my research into women and football goes to the back burner, which is a shame.

There are a few women on that list I’d love to learn more about.

One is a woman who’s been a high school football coach for the last twenty years and has over a dozen state championships.

I can’t tell you how much I would’ve loved to play for someone with a record like that.

In the meantime, I’m a beast at practice and at the game on Sunday.

I’m on a high and nothing can stop me. I added two more sacks to my count even with the Arizona offensive line trying to double team me.

Sports analysts are starting to talk about the chance that I could be MVP if the Pumas make another championship run.

The reward for my hard work, the recognition for being the best—I can almost feel it in my grasp. I just have to keep hustling.

“You’re unstoppable out there,” Charlie says to me, pulling a shirt over his head in the locker room after the game.

“Thanks, man.” I shove the last of my stuff in my bag to head out.

“You going over to Fletch’s?” he asks, picking up his own bag to follow me out.

“Nah. Headed home.”

“Home?” Charlie teases. I shove him in the shoulder. “Kara wants to know if you and Ellie are a thing.”

I meet his eye, squinting at him. He’s never said one way or the other what he thinks about the way Kara hints at wanting to date me. But she’s still his sister. I grimace at him.

“Sorry, bro. Deal with that how you want to,” I reply.

He gives a long-suffering sigh. “ Are you and Ellie a thing?”

I shove him again. “I think you’re more likely to get that information from Janelle.” He chuckles and gives up, probably because he’s going over to her apartment.

When I get home, I have texts from Ellie that I read on my way up to my apartment.

Ellie

Grayson told Libby that the girl he wanted to date that got him fired is your cousin.

She doesn’t know a name yet.

I grunt in annoyance—even if I’m a little glad that Ellie’s using this as a reason to text me.

Ellie

I’ll talk to my dad about it, but I thought you should know.

If she says something on camera, it won’t take much for people to connect who she’s talking about.

Will

Thanks, Ellie. I’ll talk to Anna and warn her so she’s prepared if stuff starts getting out.

Ellie

I’m really sorry.

Will

Pretty sure it’s not your fault Grayson Hollis exists.

Ellie

I *am* the reason he met Libby Bennet.

Will

It’ll be okay.

Ellie

BTW, great game today.

Will

I smile to myself when she reacts with a laughing emoji to that. I want to punch Grayson Hollis in the face for spreading lies, but even this news can’t dampen my good spirits. I sprawl on my couch and pull up the game, starting my pump-up playlist to listen while I watch myself dominate.

Anna looks surprised to see me when I show up at her office at lunch time on Monday.

She’s the top administrative assistant in the personnel office, and working her way to a director’s spot someday was one of the biggest reasons she decided not to press charges against Hollis.

She didn’t want to make waves or be a “ problem” and give anyone a reason not to promote one of the few women here.

After my research into women in football, I’m embarrassed to admit it’s sinking in why she chose that when I thought it was a no-brainer.

“Heeey, Will,” she says, sitting back in her chair. “What’s up?”

“Got fifteen minutes to grab some coffee?” I ask, trying to lean casually against her desk.

She narrows her eyes at me then purses her lips. “Sure.” She taps some keys on her computer, locking it up, and then grabs her purse and leads the way out of the office.

“Great game Sunday,” she says as we enter the hallway that will take us out of the office suites and to a nearby coffee cart.

I grin. “Thanks.”

“You’re working hard, Will. Everyone is so proud.” She puts an arm around me from the side, squeezing me.

“That’s not what I came here for.”

She laughs. “I know. I do have to tell you that Dad got his truck keyed for having a Pumas logo put on it.”

I grimace. My aunt and uncle live in Denver, right smack in the middle of Devils territory. “Oh no.”

She waves her hand. “He’s super proud of it.” That makes me laugh too. We chat about what Anna’s up to at work the next few minutes until we have our coffee and then head for the nearby walking path.

“What’s up,” she asks as soon as we’re relatively alone.

“Hollis is causing trouble.”

She growls under her breath. “What now?” She has on a tough expression, but the fear is still in her eyes. I hate that he can do this, upend her life and her safety when she didn’t do anything wrong.

I’ve already told her about Grayson lying to Ellie, so I jump right into what Ellie has told me about the story he told Libby, a much more trusting target.

“It’s not a coincidence that he’s convincing the Bennet sisters that he’s the one wronged here,” I tell her.

“He’s gunning for getting the story out.

His story, and I can bet he’s banking on you continuing to be silent so he can drag you through the mud.

He told Libby the woman involved in it was my cousin.

Someone’s going to trace that to you soon. ”

She clenches her jaw. “Especially since I’m your only female cousin.” She huffs, the sound full of frustration.

“Time to slap him with a lawsuit, Ann, and shut him up.” I stop and face her.

She shakes her head. “It’s not that easy.”

“We have the texts. We have witnesses who saw him pull you into that room at the party.”

She swallows and looks away from me, folding her arms across her stomach.

“It will still be he said, she said in the public eye. You’ve seen the way people are talking about him, and he got cut.

He will come out the winner here, no matter what I do, and I’ll just be the girl in the front office, making a fuss. ”

“We,” I correct Anna. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

She sighs. “I don’t mean to be harsh, Will, but you didn’t handle the thing with Coach Wilson’s wife in a way that instills confidence in me right now.”

I rub my hand down my face. She’s not wrong.

“You also have Ellie Bennet.” I’m confident in offering that.

I’ve seen the way she leverages her fame for others, like using her show to boost a friend’s new business and making sure they filmed the Pumas players at our latest service project.

“She’s much better at this than me. Much.

” I take Anna by the shoulders. “You also have the whole Pumas front office. Anna, it was easy to talk Jack into cutting Hollis once I told him what happened. Same with Coach Wilson.”

She leans her head into my chest, and I wrap my arms around her. “Let’s just … see if we can keep this from getting out. I’ll face him outing me when it comes to it.”

This is Anna’s life, and it happened to her. I won’t force her to react the way I think is best. “Okay. ”

But when I’m back in my car and before I drive away, I send a text to Ellie.

Will

Anna doesn’t want to fight Hollis right now, but can you have a PR backup plan in case this blows up?

Her response is immediate.

Ellie

It would be my pleasure.

Isla.Is.Glowing

It’s Instagram official! @Mr.Colin is off the market, ladies. #sorrynotsorry