Fumbled (Playbook #2)(11)

“Whoa there, Sparks,” he whispers in my ear. “Glad to see your fire never went out.”

He doesn’t let go of my hand as we navigate our way through the douche brigade.

“I swear to God, TK.” I yank my hand out of his grip once we’ve put some distance between us and the bachelor party. “Why are you here? I am not in the mood to deal with your bullshit tonight.”

“The way I saw what just went down, you should be thanking your lucky stars I showed up when I did.” His lips curl under his mustache and the jerk laughs. Laughs!

Wrong response.

“Actually.” I stop and poke him in the chest with my finger, wishing it was something sharper and I could inflict some damage. “You’re the reason I was stuck over there!” I poke him again. “I had it covered, I didn’t need you to save me.”

“Poppy.” He says my name like some joke I’m not aware of. “I wasn’t saving you. You think I forgot the way your eyes glaze over and you seem to grow ten inches when you’re pissed? I saw that and decided to step in and save the son of a bitch from getting his ass kicked in front of all his friends—not that he didn’t deserve it. Plus . . .” He shrugs and his pectoral muscles taunt me. “I figured your boss might not look fondly on you desecrating his customers.”

He’s right, I would’ve been fired and most likely facing assault charges. I just can’t let him know I know he’s right. “You could’ve grabbed a freaking bouncer!” I point to Jerome, who’s too busy flirting with Rochelle to notice anything on the floor. “But no, TK ‘Football God’ Moore just had to save the day, didn’t he?”

“You think I’m a god?”

He would only hear that part.

“I really can’t stand you.” I close my eyes and throw back my head, sending up a silent prayer not to go to jail tonight. “You think you’re a god. And what are you doing here again?”

“You think I’m a god!” he sings out, drawing even more attention to himself. “I brought some of the rookies. Mini camp is in a week and they were bored and sad and missing their mommies, so I figured, what can get your mind off your mom better than scantily clad women?”

“You’re ridiculous.” I roll my eyes so hard, I worry for a second they might get stuck in the back of my head.

TK has always been fun and playful, something I see in Ace every time he’s with his friends. Always the center of attention, making everyone around him laugh and smile. I used to crave being on the receiving end of his silliness, now I’d pay him to leave me alone.

Except he’s loaded and I’m not, so I don’t offer him my tips.

“Come outside with me for a bit?” he asks, oblivious to my wanting to end him. “I ordered them a ton of food and bottle service, so they’ll be fine on their own for a while.” He looks up to the third floor and rubs his hands against his jeans.

“I don’t think so,” I say. “Phil’s still pissed about yesterday, I don’t think taking extra breaks is in my best interest tonight.”

And I don’t trust myself to be alone with him. I’ll either kiss him or choke him . . . but I’m not sure which one.

“It’s fine,” he reassures me. “I talked to Phil when we came in. I told him I’d recommend this place to all my teammates, but I needed to talk to you without him interrupting this time.”

My mouth falls open and I put my tray on the unoccupied table beside us.

“You can’t do that.” I put my hands on my hips instead of wrapping them around his throat like I really want. “Seeing you once in ten years does not give you the right to come into my work and talk to my boss about me.”

“Please, Poppy.” He tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Yesterday didn’t go well. I just want to talk to you without the running and screaming. Just for a minute.”

“I’m busy.” I pick up the tray, prepping for my escape.

“Please,” he says again. “I promise, after we talk, I won’t come back again.”

I would like it if he didn’t come back again.

I inhale deeply, thinking it might be a mistake before I even agree. “Just for a minute.”

“Thank you.” He smiles and the wrinkles around his eyes—another thing he didn’t have ten years ago, something else I find extremely attractive—deepen.

I don’t respond.

I don’t know how to.

Instead, I turn on my heel and walk to the exit, already regretting saying yes.



* * *



? ? ?

WE WALK OUT the same door we went through last night and move to the same spot. Exactly the same, but something is different.

Last night, we were high on shock and anger. Tonight, something else is lingering around us.

Maybe it’s the echo of our kiss. The warm June breeze mimicking TK’s touch against my cold, exposed skin.

Or maybe it’s all the secrets we’re holding back, physically attacking us. Pushing us together before they rip us apart.

“Go out with me.” TK breaks the silence.

“What?” I ask even though I heard him loud and clear.

“Come out with me,” he repeats.