Page 4 of Overtime

“Today,” I answer before Ben can.

“She hot? Have a thing for older guys? Or tattooed wide receivers?”

“She’s older. Closer to your and Violet’s age,” Ben explains.

“She prefers them tattooed but doesn’t like athletes,” I add helpfully.

“Well, clearly she made an exception once.” I know Tobias well enough to know that he has zero intention of pursuing her. He’s just trying to get a reaction out of me. But if she’s anything like she used to be, she might pursue him, which gets under my skin.

“She won’t again.” I flick him a look that tells him to cut his shit and there’s a low whistle from Waylon.

“Let’s not piss off our fearless leader.” Waylon laughs.

“Let’s get back out there and throw, yeah?” I look to Ben, and he nods, putting his gloves back on and jogging with me to the side of the field they’re not currently running drills on.

I needed to focus on football. Zone out and just let my body take over. If I put in a hard enough workout I’ll probably be too tired to think about her, and it’s probably better that way.

THREE

Joss

We get backto Violet’s house and after a shower and a quick tour of the place, which is even more stunning than she made it seem, we’re finishing up prepping for the party.

“If I stay long enough, what do you say to an old-school Halloween party?” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

“I think we can make that work. We’ll have to get Ben and the guys convinced to dress up. Might be a few holdouts.”

“I can convince them.” I grin.

“Convince me of what?” Ben asks coming down the stairs from his own post-practice shower.

“Benny! Happy. Fucking. Birthday!” I yell, running for him, and he wraps me up in a hug.

“Jossifer,” he taunts in a playful tone, using the nickname he gave me after everything blew up and he had to deal with most of the consequences. It had stuck long after since he liked teasing me.

“How dare you!” I laugh, hugging him tight.

“Missed you. You need to come to visit us sooner next time.”

“I’ll try. I got you candles for your cake, those weird marshmallow gummy things you like, and another present. I can’t wait for you to open it.” I scruff his head.

“You know I’m not a kid anymore, right? You told her I’m all grown up now, right, Vi?” Ben asks with mock concern.

“Yes, I told her all about how you and Colt are elder badasses now.”

At the mention of his name, Ben’s eyes snap to mine, a look there I can’t quite read. I smile in return, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to make him relax.

“She told you he’s coming?”

“Yes, she mentioned it.”

“No bloodshed, I hope.” He gives me a meaningful look.

“I’ll be on my best behavior.” I grin.

“Oh good, we’re gonna need it because Harper just texted me that Drew’s coming with her.”

“Jesus, Alex is going to murder him on sight if he touches her.” Ben sighs.