Jockblocked: A Novel (Gridiron Book 2)(58)

Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.

I’m an only child. I don’t like to share. Won’t share. Don’t believe in sharing.

Lucy shudders. “A twin? The world does not deserve two Heathers. But you know? I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s turn the television on.”

“You sure you want to watch that show?” Sutton asks in a stage whisper.

“Why wouldn’t we?” Luce responds with annoyance.

Sutton jerks her head toward me. “Because he’s here.”

“Don’t change your plans on my account.” I raise both hands.

Their version of a psychological drama is a show about wedding dresses. During the opening credits, my phone rings. I ignore it. Lucy is sitting only a half cushion away from me and I’m plotting how to eliminate the distance. With her two roommates watching my every move, I don’t make much progress.

Against my will, I’m drawn into the sad story about two women who can’t stand up to their moms and how they’re desperate for just a smile from the older women. I guess it is a psychological drama, but hell, I’d watch a dozen weepy chick flicks if it meant Lucy was within touching distance. Halfway through the second one, she’s pushed her bare feet under my thigh. For warmth, she informed me. Whatever excuse you want to give, Goldie. I’m here to warm everything from your toes to your * to your delicious-looking mouth. My phone beeps again.

“You can get that,” Lucy says.

“You’re sure? I don’t want to be rude.” I don’t really know the details of dating anymore. I know answering my cellphone when I was dating Megan was a huge pet peeve of hers.

“Yeah, I mean, the show’s pretty repetitive. Charity’s on her phone and Sutton’s doing homework.”

I slip out my phone. “It’s Hammer.” I turn the screen to her so she can read the ’sup?

Me: Watching TV.

Hammer: What do you think of spa day?

Me: I guess?

Hammer: Ask your panel of experts.

Me: Panel of what?

Hammer: Lucy and her friends. Ask them.

Oh, for f*ck’s sake. I turn to Lucy. “My roommate Hammer writes a man’s advice column for a women’s magazine. He wants me to consult you on whether his list of euphemisms for sex is any good. Feel free to say no.”

Charity slaps her hands against her face. “Oh my God. Is Harry Wright Jr., your roommate?” At my nod, she turns to Sutton and Lucy. “Harry writes ‘From My Three Eyes’ column in Monologue.”

“‘Three Eyes’? For real?” I had no idea what Hammer’s column was named.

“It’s cheeky. We know what it means.” She rolls her eyes at my shock.

Cheeky? Sounds vulgar. I realize my assumptions of women are all wrong, but that’s my own damn fault for not spending more time with them when they have their clothes on.

“I love ‘Three Eyes,’” Sutton exclaims. “I had no idea he was a football player or that he went to Western!”

“He wants to know if he can come over to hang.” I turn the phone again so Lucy can read his message, knowing she’ll appreciate it. I’m available to meet with my new fan club. Tell me when and where.

“Sure, why not?”

“Tell him to bring us something,” Sutton declares. “What do we want?”

“We’re out of microwave popcorn,”

“On it,” I tell them.

Me: Price of admission is popcorn. There are five of us.

Hammer: Make that six. Masters is bored now that Ellie is at work.

“Okay if my buddy Masters comes over? His wife is working.”

“Sure. The more the merrier, but someone will have to sit on the floor.”

“Hammer can. He’s used to it. He has three sisters.”

I don’t know if he’s used to sitting on the floor, but he’ll do it and he’ll like it because I’m not moving my ass from Lucy’s sofa until she physically hoists me out of here.

I’m part of her life now. She’s not getting rid of me.





21





Lucy




Matty is too damn charming for his own good, I decide the following morning.

And it isn’t his size or body or face that turns me on. It’s him. His easygoing nature, his willingness to answer anything put in front of him, the way he makes fun of himself. It’s so easy to be around him. He brought me sugar-free treats last night, watched four episodes of Say Yes to the Dress, and we laughed ourselves silly over Hammer’s list.

He left with his friends but not before giving me a long hug—one that left me in no doubt whether he’d have liked to stay the night. Both Charity and Sutton gave me a hard time, saying I was a fool not to take what was being offered to me on a silver platter.

I open my can of soup and consider the whole risk assessment thing. Sutton’s right. He doesn’t appear to be much of a risk at all, or no greater risk than any other guy I’ve gone out with before. And the rewards? Holy hell, the rewards are like having a million dollars at the bottom of a bungee jump. My stomach’s in my throat, but it’s totally worth it.

As I dump the can into the bowl, the wall phone rings. I pick it up, hoping it’s Matty. If it is, I know what I’m having right after lunch. I grin to myself.