Page 87 of Penalty Shot

“I played all the cards. Been wanting to hook up with her since the moment we met.”

“Is it serious?”

“Dude, it’s been like a week. Who the hell knows?”

I could tell him that my official relationship with Elise started less than a week ago, and I one hundred percent know I’m all in.

But where’s the fun in that?

“So, you wouldn’t mind if she plays the field, right? I can see Woody making his move.”

From where we’re standing, we watch Lily look up at the tall guy gesturing with his hands as he talks.

“What the fuck,” Gordon grunts, the grip on his beer straining all the veins on his forearm.

Serves him right for teasing me about Elise being on a dating site—which, by the way, is no longer the case since we became a couple.

“You should probably go play the rest of your cards. I’m getting my girl out of here.”

I push off the bar we’re leaning on and beeline for the most beautiful woman in the room. In the world.

I am such a goner.

“Randall Haughland? Hi! We wanted to tell you how much we love the Mavericks. You’re amazing.”

Three girls I don’t recognize block my way. I have no idea where they came from since they seem younger than the group we’re hanging with.

“Do you mind if we take a selfie?” They flank me from each side, the press of their bodies as uncomfortable as critters on my skin. I’m about to wiggle away when I hear her.

“Let me take it for you.” Elise’s voice is at a lower register, but her face is a hundred percent bland.

Before I know it, she’s taken the photo and handed the cell back to the owner.

Then, my girlfriend does the last thing I expect.

“Mr. Haughland, you’re the best!” Elise coos with fluttering lashes. “I’m your number one fan. Can I take a picture with you, too?”

Mr. what-the-hell now?

“Do you mind?” Elise asks the girl whose phone she returned.

The girl shrugs and steps back. Instead of standing beside me like I expect, Elise positions herself so her ass is glued to my groin.

“What are you doing, baby?” I whisper in her ear, fighting down the southbound surge of blood and completely failing.

After the picture is taken, she’s about to pull away, but I grip her waist.

“Nuh-uh, you’re staying right there. My cock is fucking indecent right now, Elise.”

“Um, can we have an autograph?” The girl asks when she returns the phone to Elise.

However, instead of extending a piece of paper, she lowers her blouse to expose the top of a breast. This isn’t the first time fans have flirted with me, but this is another level of bullshit.

“When you get a piece of paper, sure,” I grit past my irritation. “Right now, I gotta take my girlfriend somewhere.”

“Your girlfriend?”

“Yes, this is my girlfriend,” I say in a crystal clear and obnoxiously loud voice.