Page 58 of The Game Plan

More than a few guys on Drew’s team have made passes whenever I hang out with him and Anna. And, yes, my refusals were mainlybecause they were football players.

But some were also total meatheads.

“But really,” Anna continues, “it’s more that Dex is so quiet. I mean, I love the guy, but you’re not exactly shy.”

I laugh. “He’s not quiet when we’re together. Anyway, I’m pretty sure I’d kill someone who was exactly like me. Imagine allthe noise, noise, noise!” I fake a shudder.

Anna gives me an obligatory smile, but then it fades. “So why do you look so sad, Fi?”

Like that, I wilt. I could tell her about my job. But that’s not what’s hurting my heart at the moment.

“Because I don’t think I’m cut out for a long-distance relationship. I miss him already.”

I don’t just miss him. I need him. Here. Now.

“I’ve got all this fluttery anticipation and nowhere for it to go until we see each other again. Won’t it get worse the moreattached I get?”

Reaching out, she takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Shit, I wish I was better at this. I don’t know. I fucking hate itwhen Drew is gone. But what can you do? We love who we love.”

“I thought falling for someone was supposed to be awesome.”

“Ha.” Anna leans back, her eyes bright. “Best and worst time of your life, kid.”

Dex

The photographer’s studio is in New Orleans’s Warehouse District. We’ve been scheduled in small groups. I’m here with Rolondo,Finn and Jake Ryder, our other wide out.

Aside from Ryder, none of us is particularly comfortable with the idea of modeling for the next few hours, but it’s for charity,so we’ll make due.

No one is here to greet us, which is odd. When ringing the bell fails to get a reply, Finn pounds on the metal door with theside of his fist.

“We get the time wrong?” he asks over his shoulder.

“Nope. In fact, we’re a few minutes late.”

“The photographer had better not be having some sort of artistic huff.”

Finn is the one who appears to be five seconds away from a huff, but I shrug. “Maybe he’s on the can or something.”

“Great,” drawls Ryder. “We’ve gotta wait for a shit? That could be half an hour at least.”

Rolondo bends his head back and looks at the ceiling. “Lord, these boys keep leaving themselves wide-open for a smack down. It’s almost too easy.”

Ryder smirks, then reaches past me and slams on the door as well. “Dude! Nip it off and open up!”

“Jesus,” I say, my ears ringing. “Have some class.”

He just grins.

The door whips open, ending the conversation. A tall young woman with long, straight hair a saturated shade of magenta givesus a dark scowl that takes our measure. I’m guessing we’re found lacking.

“Nip what off, do tell?” she asks, her voice so husky I wonder if she’s a smoker.

We all kind of shuffle, then Finn steps forward. “Er... we’re here for the calendar shoot.”

“Well, I certainly didn’t think you were here for the little league group shot I have scheduled later.”

“You’re the photographer?” Finn’s eyes widen in obvious shock.