Page 35 of Playing for Keeps

Damn. I finish undressing down to my shorts.

“If Marini hears about it, this could affect my contract talks.”

“Don’t worry—next week’s the start of the season. Clean slate.”

“You’re right. It’ll be my performance that’ll win me a fat contract. Not a few tweets about a non-event at an Italian restaurant.”

“So we’re all set for Friday?” Sean says, “The bet is still on?”

“The blind date is on and it couldn’t have been timed better.” I turn to Hunter and Sean. “In fact, I can’t wait to meet my blind date and I hope to hell Cat can work some magic.”

* * *

Outside in the parking lot,MikeFoley catches up with me and I’d almost forgotten he was there last night. I wonder what the hell he wants and stop when he calls out my name.

He says, “That was quite a night. We got away with one.”

“No thanks to you.”

“I would have taken care of her if I had to, but she’s a tough cookie.”

I don’t say anything, don’t give even a nod or a blink.

“What were you doing there?”

“I’m a regular at Louie’s,” I say. It’s true even if it’s not an answer.

“Is there something between you and Chloe?” he has the audacity to ask. I eye him, holding my game face in place.

“Why do you ask? Aren’t you a little old for her, Foley?” I’m not smiling or joking, though I should at least be pretending it’s all a joke, that I could care less if he’s interested, that there’s nothing at all between us except a deep abiding enmity that even the sparks of Hades can’t burn down.

“Whoa, there. I’m not saying that. I think she’s special, but not like that.”

“Like how?” I can’t stop myself from asking in an unfriendly voice.

“Like a big brother.” He backs up a step. “I don’t know what you two have going on, but—”

“We have nothing going on, not that it’s any of your business. Your kid sister is safe from me. But frankly, I’m the one who probably needs to worry, judging by last night.”

He laughs nervously and I let him off the hook with a smile, a real one, and a slap on the back.

“But don’t worry about being my big brother because I can take care of myself.”

I leave before I say another word, mindful that Foley is a reporter, and even though he’s been decent for the three years I’ve known him and has a sterling reputation, I don’t want to give him ammunition he can’t resist.

* * *

The short fastweek couldn’t have gone any better, with a win last night, playing well with a sack and a half dozen tackles, and, not least of all, no confrontations with Smitty. She’s steering clear of me and I’m steering clear of her. We’ve finally come to an understanding. Whatever connection or chemistry we have is better left unexplored.

Coach didn’t give us the day off, but it’s an early out on a Friday afternoon. After films, we’re done for the day and I catch up with Hunter as we’re leaving the room.

“Hey, you know anything about my blind date tonight? Cat’s not answering my texts.”

“No. She won’t tell me a thing. Says we’ll find out who the special lady is when she shows up.” He slaps me on the back. “You only have a couple of hours to wait. Excited?”

I give him the finger. “I’m not a school kid. I was just curious.” In truth, the fact that Cat’s keeping it all secret scares me, makes me think she’s up to no good. But what the hell.

“It’s dinner. Who cares? She’s good, you go home with her. She’s not, you go home alone—like you have been anyway.” He gives me a pointed stare like I’m a loser for being single.