Page 95 of Power Play

Briggs grinned. “Tutoring.”

“Books are involved.”

“So are tongues.”

I stood and grabbed my keys. “Lunch was supposed to be about supporting you.”

“I feel supported.”

“You’re about to feel concussed.”

Rider laughed into his drink while I dropped enough cash beside the check to cover my part.

I looked at Briggs. “You serious about not answering them?”

His expression changed. “Yeah.”

“Then don’t.”

“What if they keep trying?”

“Let them try.”

He held my gaze while I shoved my wallet into my pocket.

“You spent your whole childhood chasing people who had the chance to choose you every day. You don’t have to turn around now because they finally noticed everybody else wants what they ignored. Your grandparents were there before ESPN, and so were we.”

Briggs swallowed before that crooked grin returned.

“Fucking feelings twice in one lunch.”

“You started it.”

“I blame sports media.”

As I stepped away from the table, Cade called after me.

“Ryan.”

I looked back.

He rested one arm along the booth. “Tell her what you want before you ask her what she wants.”

I held his gaze for a second. “Yeah.”

Briggs raised his drink. “Ask her to be your girlfriend eventually too, because this seeing-what-happens bullshit is insulting all of us.”

I backed toward the door. “We’re seeing what happens.”

Easton shook his head. “That is dating with cowardly vocabulary.”

I laughed and pushed through the door into the August heat.

My phone vibrated again before I reached the truck.

Charm: Are you still coming at three?

I answered while crossing the parking lot.