Be My Game Changer: A Sports Romance(34)

Shit. Her gorgeous smile reaches her eyes and takes ahold of any remaining sliver within me that wasn’t already hers. All I can do in response is place another quick kiss on her smiling lips.

I hold up the pink cup, donning yellow and blue llamas as I hear Bodie snicker. “Oh, it’s serious now. That’s her favorite one. She won’t let me take it without a lecture to not lose it.”

“Yep, ’cause you lose everything or forget to bring it back.” She gives him an annoyed look before turning to me. “It is my favorite though.”

“I’m sure the guys will love it.” I know I do even if it’s something as silly as a cup because that means she plans on keeping me around. “I’ll call you later.”

With that, I give her a lingering kiss, painfully pulling away before I walk out. My coffee-filled llama cup in hand, I’m unable to remove the goofy grin from my face.





23





AVERY





“What the hell was that about?” I ask Bodie as Carter shuts the door behind him.

“Nothing.” He casually shrugs, walks to the kitchen, and pours himself a cup of coffee. Like he’s done a million times. But this time is different. There’s a loaded silence, and I’m not so convinced it’s “nothing” as I stand, waiting for an explanation.

“I told you to be careful, then I find him naked in your damn kitchen.”

“You also told me to give him a chance. Or did you say that because you never thought he’d actually be interested in me?”

“Avery, really? I don’t want to see you get used. Why else would Carter agree to do a podcast that has a whole twenty listeners, including my mom?”

“Maybe because he’s a nice guy.”

“Sure.” His bitter laugh makes me feel like he thinks I’m a fool for actually believing Carter could be a good guy. What he doesn’t know is Carter has shown me a side of him he hasn’t shown anyone. But I’d never dare say that. Because unlike Bodie, Carter trusts me and my judgment. At least, that’s what it feels like right now.

“You go ahead. I’ll take my truck when I’m ready to go.”

“Avery, don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not trying to.” I take in a deep breath, exhaling as I look to the guy I’ve called my best friend my entire life. “I’m having a hard enough time adjusting to whatever this is going on between me and Carter, the last thing I need is my best friend insinuating I’m a fool.”

“You’re not a fool, Avery. He would be if he couldn’t see how great you are. And maybe I’m a little worried about him hurting you because it’s my fault for dragging you to the game in the first place. And maybe … I’m afraid of losing my best friend to Carter Barlowe.” He takes in a breath and says, “Go get dressed. I’ll drive us to your parents’ place, and you can tell me how wonderful Baby Cash is.”

“Don’t call him that.” My response is a little quick as Bodie gives me a confused look. “Just call him Carter. You know, like he’s a regular guy who I’d like to get to know better?”

“Sure. Hurry up, so we can get done with the shelving and watch your regular guy on TV.”

“Whatever,” I mumble heading to my room to get dressed. Yes, Carter Barlowe is on TV today, but he’s just Carter when he’s with me.





24





CARTER





Sure enough. The guys didn’t disappoint. Six hours later, they’re still giving me shit about arriving to the field with my colorful travel mug this morning. Even as we prepare to leave for the airport, they’re not letting it die. And I don’t care one damn bit.

Road games have never bothered me in the past, but right now, I don’t want to get on the plane. It’s not our awaiting opponents—although I should be focused on them, especially after the ass-chewing Dundee gave me for missing warm-ups this morning.

And he’s right, my head isn’t in the game. But I don’t think it’s solely because of Avery. She’s just the perfect distraction to avoid what I know is inevitable. Cash Barlowe.

Reaching for my phone, I type out exactly what I’m thinking.

Me: I want you to go with me.

Avery: I can’t. I have work.

Me: I know. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting you with me.

A week. I’ll be away from her light for a damn week. Why does that seem too long all of a sudden?

Coach Dundee gives me a judgy look before stepping in front of me. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah.” I respond as he turns to walk away. He won’t like the question, and it’s not his job to train me outside of the game, but I ask him anyway. “How do you get used to leaving?”

“You don’t,” he responds, dropping to sit next to me. “But the wife and kids know it’s part of the job.”

“A part that I never gave much thought to until I had someone to leave behind.”

He gives a knowing nod. News of Avery and me hasn’t exactly been kept quiet around the clubhouse, so Dundee knows damn well what I’m talking about.

With an encouraging pat on the shoulder, he says, “But that someone who makes leaving hard, makes coming home even better. So, get your head in the game, Lowe.”