Scored(67)

“But what will Finley think?”

“Finley will get over it—if she even cares at all.”

“But she’s always warned me away,” I protest.

“A woman’s broken heart will do everything it can to protect the ones it loves.” She smiles sadly. “You can’t live your life to suit your sister or me, or the fear of being labeled as a football groupie… or whatever they’re called. The world doesn’t have the final say in defining you. Only you have that power. Don’t let your fear take that away.”

“Oh wow, that was beautiful. Thank you, Momma.”

“You’re welcome. Now, tell me all the good things about your Dallas.”

I start to list them, thinking of the kind things he does for me and his relationship with his family; how he protects my privacy even when it’s inconvenient… the way he loves me with his body—not that I’d tell my momma that—and the words get jumbled up.

Finally, I look at her and say, “There’s just so many that I’d be an idiot to throw our relationship away. After the wedding, I’m going to go to his game and tell him how I feel.”





CHAPTER 28




Dallas


I’ve been reduced to the status of wedding crasher. Although technically, with a personal invitation from the bride, I’m not sneaking in to eat free food and drink free booze with the hopes of ending the night by sleeping with a bridesmaid or two.

There’s only one maid of honor I’m interested in, and she’s wearing a classy but form-fitting dress in Seattle Seahawk green, which I hate. To be fair, Layton isn’t a Seahawk fan—at least not that I’m aware of, but still… that color makes me see red.

I frown.

Layton spies me from the other side of the country club’s ballroom and surreptitiously points to the right. I crane my neck around, easily spotting Paige over the heads of nearly everyone there.

She’s standing with her sister and two other people who have to be her mother and brother. They are all grinning and eating from plates the size of my palms. Their smiles are too alike to not be related.

I want to go to her right then and there, but I must be patient. Layton assured me she would find a way for Paige to be able to talk to me alone, without her family around. A family that still doesn’t know we’re dating, or Finley would have had my ass as soon as she spotted me when I walked in an hour late.

Country back roads contain more tractors than cars or passing lanes… and one should plan accordingly.

Layton crosses the room, calling Paige’s name, and I duck behind a tall potted tree they’ve brought in to be part of the décor. Peeking through the leaves, I watch as they talk, Paige’s face growing worried.

Suddenly, Layton starts heading my way. I almost panic and reveal myself until they feint left at the last second. I count to ten and follow them, trying to appear casual rather than like a fucking stalker.

Aiden steps in front of me, and I lose my line of sight. It’s all I can do not to clock the bastard. The team needs him too badly tomorrow night. “Going somewhere?”

“Gotta take a piss.”

“Men’s room is that way.” He points behind me, signature glass of scotch on the rocks in the same hand. “Unless you’re looking for something… or someone else.”

He knows why I’m here and from the look in his eyes, he knows exactly where they’ve gone. “Layton let you come today?”

“Layton’s too fucking proper to rescind an invitation.”

“You didn’t have to mess with her mind. All you had to do was tell her the truth.”

Aiden snorts, swaying a little. He’s drunk. I’ve never seen that fucker drunk before game day. “The truth would have sent my baby girl where she didn’t belong. I did her a solid.”

“Your baby girl?”

“It’s what I’ve always called her.” He smirks. “I did the right thing this time.”

“Are you saying you lied or told the truth?”

He throws back the rest of his drink and wipes his mouth with the side of his hand. “I’m saying I did what was best for everyone involved. Now she’ll have her fairy-tale life with Prince Dickhead.”

Which means that Joe didn’t cheat and is a standup kind of guy. “If you did the right thing, why is he a dickhead?”

Aiden chuckles. “These country-club types are all dickheads except the ones who aren’t.”

“I don’t have time for your double-talk bullshit, or to figure out if you’re stalling for time just to mess with me.” I step past him.

“They went to the ladies’ room. There’s a dressing chamber in the back,” he says. His dark blue eyes sharpen. “Don’t fuck up your chance. You got me?”

“Yeah.” I stride to the ladies’ room, pushing Aiden and his drunk ass out of my mind.

*

When I get there, Layton is pacing up and down the hall, biting at her nails. When she spots me, she rushes over.

“What took you so long?” she hisses. “I’ve got her locked in, and she’s pissed at me.”

Paige pounds on the door. “This is not funny, nor is it the time to get back at me from when I accidentally locked you in the janitor’s closet.”