I can hear the music from inside when I close my SUV door. The parking lot to the restaurant is full. I look over at Manning. "I must be really fucking old if I dread going in there." He points at the restaurant, and I laugh. "If my wife wasn’t in there, I would turn around without thinking twice."
"I’m not as old you are, and even I think I should go home," I say pulling open the front door to the restaurant.
The sign at the entrance says closed for a private party. The hostess is standing there with her blonde hair curled and perfect and smiles big. "Welcome."
"Hey.” I smile at her, while Manning just nods at her, his hands in his pockets as he looks around the place. "We’re here for the party." I point with my thumb while Manning just walks past her, making me laugh. I put my head down and follow him in.
The place is packed, and I look around to see the team is here. The tables are packed with my teammates and their family members. The bar against the wall is full also. I look around and see Nico talking to a couple of people. "Remind me never to do this again," Manning says and then spots his wife, Evelyn, sitting at a table with Miller and his wife, Layla. "You coming?" he asks.
"Yeah, I’m going to get something to drink," I say, looking at the bar. "Say hi to some people." He nods and walks away toward the table.
Nico spots me right away and comes over to me. He holds his hand out to shake mine. "Cooper, great to see you here," he says, smiling.
"Thanks," I say, looking around. "Not sure it was okay since I said no."
"Hey," he confirms. "You are welcome anywhere.
"How are things going?" he asks, and I nod.
"Good," I respond, and he just looks at me. When he found out I was served papers at practice, he was furious. He made it known through his lawyers that they crossed the line. No one is allowed to enter the building without having a written approval of management. "I’m doing better."
"You look better. There is a fire under your ass," he jokes. "I like it."
"Me, too. I’m going to get some water."
"You need anything," he offers. "You don’t hesitate to call me."
"I know." I look at him.
"I told your father I would take care of you like you were my own," he reminds me, and I nod at him. "See you later."
Walking to the back of the bar, I see some of the guys from the team. "There he is," Mika says when he sees me, clapping me on the back. "The one who saved the game." He holds up his glass of beer.
I laugh and shake my head. "Nah, just in the right place at the right time." I lean against the bar and hold up my hand and order a water. I turn and see her walking toward me, but she doesn’t see me.
She looks over her shoulder and laughs at something. Her hair is loose, and she is wearing black leather pants with a black long-sleeve shirt that ties at the waist. A champagne lace thing under the top peeks out. The whole outfit is sexy, but the sky-high shoes she is wearing make it extra sexy. I smile as I see the men turn to catch a glimpse at her, and she doesn’t even notice.
She is coming close to me, and she finally sees me, the shock fills her face. "Holy cow," she says, coming to me and putting a hand on my arm and leaning in to kiss my cheek. "I did not know you would be here." The smell of her perfume hits me right away. "Good game."
"What are you doing here?" I ask, looking around, and it suddenly dawns on me that she might be here with a date. It’s closed for a private party, so she has to be here with someone. My stomach flips, wondering who it could be. "Are you here on a date?" The words escape my mouth before I can stop them, and she throws her head back and laughs at me.
"A date?" she repeats and then steps closer to me when someone bumps into her. My hand goes around her waist to protect her. "I thought we had this conversation the other night. I’ve decided I’m going to be single my whole life and end up living in a house with cats." She laughs, and the bartender comes over and hands me a water.
"What can I get you?" he asks her, and she smiles at him.
"I’m good, thank you," she says to him and then turns back to me. "What are you doing here?" she asks, and I shrug.