Page 8 of Off Sides

“Raine had me take the film crew out to this little electronic store that we’re helping. I loved that I was the one showing them around,” Poppy says as I pick at the meal in front of me. I came in from practice and the minute I stepped in the door she hasn’t let up. Raine hasn’t contacted me in any form since my first game which makes me believe he is leading Poppy on and she’s falling for it. Or the other way around, I don’t know.

I nod along, though Poppy doesn’t even look at me. When she stops to take a breath I tell her, “I need to pack and head to Tyler’s.”

She stops and blinks, “where are you going?” She should now, but lately I don’t think she cares about anything I say. Other girls would be clamoring on my every word, and probably my bank account, but at least they would be listening.

“I have an away game this week. I wrote it on your erase board on the fridge.”

She laughs like I’m hilarious, “oh, so silly of me, I totally forgot.”

“Yeah, you seem to forget a lot,” I mutter, taking my dish to the sink. I don’t wash it or put it in the dishwasher. I simply leave it for her and walk to the bedroom. I don’t have to be at Tyler’s, but I don’t know if I want to stay here. Poppy has definitely changed. I can’t put my finger on how it happened or when, but it was before she got her job. The job she didn’t want to get but reluctantly agreed to. I didn’t force her to get it; I suggested it because I didn’t want to be the only one contributing. Okay, I might have been a little forceful about it. But again, I didn’t want to be taken advantage of. When we first argued about it, I explained how I felt, and she told me she didn’t want me to feel that way. And then everything changed. If I got injured and had to sit out a season—God help me—I would go back home. I love living on a ranch and if I couldn’t play football, I would be back home helping Dad. Poppy used to love coming over and running around the barn with me. But I think she forgot about her roots.

Ever since she started working, she talks about wanting some designer purse that’s all the rage, or a dress. If she isn’t talking about fashion or whatever, she’s talking about her boss. I know she has a crush on him.

I hate that she does. He’s not a bad guy, but I thought she loved me. I don’t want to break up, but I’m at a loss as to what to do.

I finish grabbing what I need and head back downstairs. Poppy is still in the kitchen actually washing dishes, “I’m going to head out.”

She turns around and sets the cup she is holding down, “are you okay?”

I take a step back like she pushed me because it’s the first time she’s acknowledged me, “not really, Pop. I don’t feel like you want to be here with me.”

She frowns, “I’m sorry. I do want to be here.”

I shrug, “I’ll let you think about what you want to do, it’s your choice, but I’m not feeling it. I think you forgot about us and how good we are.”

I don’t say anything else; I just head out the door. She doesn’t call after me, doesn’t stop me. I don’t think I would stop even if she did. I hope she does think about us and what she wants out of any of this. But I want the girl I love back.

I want someone who loves me for me, not my paycheck.

On that thought, Raine’s face flashes in my mind and I nearly swerve into the other road. I don’t know why he did. Maybe because my girlfriend is in love with him?

13

Chapter 13

Raine

“Mr. Morrison, cut your ribbon,” I gesture to the older man and then to the ribbon in front of his door. He had been difficult to work with but eventually he saw what I was trying to do. The camera crew is filming as Mr. Morrison takes the big scissors and snips the ribbon while the surrounding people cheer. I’m glad that I was able to save his electronics store and his livelihood.

People head in as he turns to me, “I know I’m a stubborn bastard, but I’m forever grateful you didn’t give up on me.”

I pat his shoulder, “I’m glad you came around. Enjoy your life and new store.” I salute him off and turn to head to my car. When I turn, I stop in my tracks. In front of me is Poppy talking, no, flirting with some dude. He looks like a finance bro just outof the frat house. Does Dasher know what she’s doing? Of course not, he’s out of town.

She glances over and nods at me as I walk past. I don’t stop, don’t mention Dasher’s name, but I’m angry on his behalf. Should I tell him? I don’t know if he would believe me.

Derek pulls up to the curb and I’m about to get in when Poppy calls out, “Hey, Raine. Whatever you saw, it’s not what you think it is.”

I spin around, “I don’t know what I saw and whatever it is, is none of my business. But if I was Dasher, I’d want to know if my girl was talking to someone else.”

I see something pass in her eyes, like calculation, but she doesn’t say anything about it just nods, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Maybe, I might take off work. We don’t have any new clients yet because I haven’t been out doing research. Maybe tomorrow I’ll take a drive.

Derek takes me home and I tell him to have a good night. I just want to be alone and process everything, including the Poppy thing. I mean flirting isn’t so bad and maybe that’s all she was doing.

Tossing my keys on the table by the door, I strip my shirt off and walk to my indoor pool. Maybe some laps will do me some good. Maybe it will help me clear my head.

14