When We Met

Everyone in Gruby’s stared at the TV screens, trying to make sense of what they were seeing. I couldn’t believe he went through with it. A laugh bubbled up in my throat. He had risked making himself a bit of a spectacle to his teammates, coaches, and even the media to go out on one date with me. There was no way I could back out now.

Amanda squealed, sliding up next to me. “Holy shit. Why does Dalton have a heart stenciled on his cheek?”

I tried to look i

“Slap my ass and call me a tramp. You’re responsible for this?”

I clamped a hand across her mouth. “Shush, you don’t have to a

“Why is he wearing a heart?” she mumbled through my fingers.

“I sorta told him I’d go out with him again if he painted a bright red heart on his cheek for the game.” I admitted it but felt more than a little embarrassed about my request.

“OMG, that is fucking hilarious.”

I gri

Amanda gushed now that my hand wasn’t wrapped around her mouth. “Holy crap. You’re going out with Dalton again?”

“And that’s the reaction I was worried about. One can’t simply go out with Dalton without everyone speculating. Can you imagine the shit he’s going to get?”

“What are you talking about? Any guy would be lucky to date you.”

I snorted. “Right, because I’m so knockout gorgeous.”

“Shut up. You have to know you’re a bombshell. Sure, maybe travel-sized, but beautiful nonetheless. You’re proportioned just right. Trust me. Girls are jealous of your knockers and ass.”

I laughed at her choice of words even though I was sure she was blowing sunshine up my ass. Long-legged twigs were what guys were looking for, in my opinion. I wasn’t sure what Dalton’s deal was with me. Maybe he had a list and he had reached short and curvy.

“How else do you figure you got a recognized player to paint his face for a nationally televised game? I couldn’t even get my douche-canoe ex to stick around.”

“Well, he was an ass. It seemed like you and Collin hit it off last night, though.”

“We did. We’re supposed to go out again when he gets back, but . . .”

“Oh no. What’s wrong with him?” I knew that tone in her voice. “You didn’t even give him a chance,” I said, thinking about poor Collin. Amanda’s dating track record was less than stellar.

“I don’t know. He seems a little too good to be true. I’m waiting for the second date to see if his true colors come out.”

“Oh my. God forbid he’s a good guy.”

“Ha. You’re a fine one to speak. You’ve got the team’s all-star jumping through hoops and you’re all like, ‘I’m too ugly.’ Seriously?”

“Don’t be a jerk.” I chuckled, swiping at her. “I bet Collin would do the same for you.”

She smirked. “I’m not so sure of that. Dalton is pursuing you like you’re holding the golden ticket to Wonka’s Factory. He wants your candy.”

“Shut it.” I frowned at her with butterflies dancing lightly in my stomach.

The heart on Dalton’s face was a popular topic the rest of the evening. Especially since Dalton played great, as usual. As the last few minutes of the game ticked away, the a

chapter eight

Dalton

Did you see? I texted Sunday morning.

See what? The reply came back almost immediately, making me smile. I liked that Courtney responded so quickly. She must be at least a little interested in me.

 Very fu

 Okay, I might have seen it but I’m not sure the size justifies a date.

Nice try. I’ll pick you up at three tomorrow afternoon. I’d already prepared myself in case she tried to back out. There would be no chance of that.

 What if I have to work?

 U don’t. U told me yesterday U were off.

Aren’t you going to be tired from your trip? Her last-ditch attempt was cute, but I wasn’t budging.

 Nope, I’ll be all rested up.

 R U always such an eager beaver when U go out with someone?

 Normally I don’t have to work so hard.

 Great, so I’m like some conquest for sporty-boy who normally gets everything he wants just by smiling?

 Well, my smile is pretty amazing.

 Oh Lord. I think I’m coming down with a stomach bug.

 Look, you’re not a conquest.

 Then what am I?

 A refreshing change.

 I may have just sprained my eyes from rolling them.

 You’re still going. I’ll be there by three.

 Don’t you want my address?

I chuckled, earning a grin from Collin, who was sprawled across the seats next to me in the airport. I have my ways. Hamilton Street, right?

 Really? How?

 Can’t reveal my sources.

 Typical.

We were getting ready to board our plane, so I had to say good-bye, which was probably a good thing. The way my luck had started with Courtney, I’d say something she would take out of context and I’d be in the doghouse again.

“Bro, you got it bad,” Collin observed.

He didn’t know the half of it. He’d really think I was a pussy if he saw all the messages we’d exchanged.

“You’re just jealous.”

“You wish. I got my own thing working.”

“We’ll see. Amanda is known for chewing guys up and spitting them out.”

“That’s because she’s never rode the Collin train,” he said, cracking a smile.

“Wow, you should tell her that. I bet she’d tear her clothes off.”

“Do I look stupid?”

“Well, now that you asked . . .”

He chucked his empty water bottle at me, which I slapped away easily.

Collin was cool, but I had my own girl issue to worry about. For whatever reason, tomorrow felt like the most important date I’d ever gone on. I didn’t want to screw it up. Over the past two days, my initial relationship with Courtney had changed from pursuit to genuine interest. Through the course of our text-messaging, I’d gotten a small glimpse into the person behind the force field she seemed to have up when she was around me. I was definitely intrigued. Tomorrow I would get to see even more.

The drive from my apartment to Courtney’s house on Hamilton Street took less than ten minutes Monday afternoon. I felt something in my stomach that I could only have guessed was nerves. It was a feeling I wasn’t used to. Even before big games, one of my strengths was that I stayed as cool as the other side of the pillow. The roads were icy from another cold front that had moved in overnight. Winter in Michigan translated to freeze-your-balls-off cold. I blasted the heat, coaxing it to warm up the car to a suitable temperature before I pulled up to Courtney’s house.

There were several cars in the driveway. I parked behind a car that looked like it was being held together by chewing gum and maybe some spit. The thing was so rusted out it looked like it belonged in a garbage heap. It had a college parking sticker in the window, so it must have worked.

I made my way up to the front door and stomped my feet on the welcome mat as I rang the doorbell. The sound of voices hummed through the door just before it was thrown open. Courtney hopped on one foot, working to zip her boot that stopped just below her knee. “You’re early.”

“Nope. It’s one minute past three, to be exact,” I said, trying to act cool over the sight of Courtney dressed in tight jeans. The denim hugged all her assets, highlighting them in a way that should have been illegal. The tight pink sweater that strained across her large full breasts was almost my undoing. A clear mental picture of what lay underneath filled my head and was enough to make my mouth go dry. I took the opportunity while her head was down to shift my boys while I still had some control. All I could think was that it was a good thing my coat ran past my waist.