While Gray talked with other players, Simon leaned in and said, “You can bring me to watch anytime.” I glanced up and he waggled his eyebrows. I grinned. Not having a boyfriend at the moment, Simon was no doubt checking out the possibilities, but I was only interested in Gray.
A minute later, Gray walked over to us, a teammate with him. Although he'd looked pretty darn fine the other night in a suit and tie, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, sweaty and dirty, Gray looked downright sexy. Rugged and manly. This was his element. His chest and shoulders were clearly delineated, his biceps thick and powerful, his thighs and calves well defined. Everything about him was powerful, and the way he watched me now was ser
iously intense. I licked my lips and saw his eyes drop to follow the action.
“Hi,” he said, stopping directly before me. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“I just so happened to be in the park.” I swiped my hand through the air. “Big coincidence.”
He gave a quick laugh, reminded by what he’d said on Friday night. It felt good, really good, to make him laugh. For once, I said something right. He angled his head. “This is my friend Rob.”
“Everyone calls me Thor,” the other man added, his voice deep. He held up his hands. “I’d shake your hand, but you probably would rather not.” Streaks of mud and sweat covered his palms.
I could see why he got the nickname. He had two inches on Gray, making him a giant. Football linebacker big. Hot dog eating contest winner huge. Dark hair, dark eyes, square jaw, goatee.
“I like your team spirit,” he added. “Looks better on her than us, don’t you think, Gray?”
I frowned, confused. He pointed to my tank top. Glancing down, I realized my shirt was also black-and-white stripe.
“Of course. Wouldn’t want to be accused of rooting for the other team,” I countered with a smile, then shrugged as if it were no big deal. “This is my neighbor, Simon.”
Simon shook Gray’s hand and nodded at Thor.
“Hey, wow. I didn’t recognize you at first, but it’s a pleasure,” Simon gushed, practically ogling Gray. “How are you enjoying retirement?”
Simon knew Gray? Baltimore was a big city, so what were the chances?
Gray glanced at me as he answered. “Getting better every day. Everyone usually goes to the bar down the street after the game. Want to join us?”
Simon looked to me to answer. He was waiting for me to decide if he was still needed or not. Since he and Gray seemed to know each other, he’d probably want to tag along, but he seemed to have the wingman thing down. He gave me a little head nod and I knew he was giving his personal green light on Gray.
This was it, the moment between a life of normal and a life of…God, I could only imagine. “I’d like to go, but Simon has something to do.”
Simon smiled broadly, clearly thrilled I didn’t say no and was willing to go without him. Gray would blatantly know Simon was sticking around for me and that would only embarrass me more. Besides, it would make Gray think I thought he was a lech or something, which was the farthest thing from the truth.
“Yeah, I have plans,” Simon said, but everyone knew he was lying through his teeth. “Another time, however. Definitely.” He turned to me. “Do you want me to take your car?”
I paused. “Oh, um. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I’ll drive you home later,” Gray offered.
Simon raised a brow, waiting. Pulling my keys from my little purse that I had slung cross-shoulder, he took them, gave me a wink, then grabbed the blanket and cooler.
“Thanks, Simon,” I called out as he left.
He spun and replied as he walked backward. “Anytime.” He gave a little salute and turned.
Gray was watching me closely, silently.
“I’ll have to catch up with you,” Thor told us. “My wife’s going to kill me if I don’t get home. Kids,” he added, as if that clarified everything.
“How old are they?” I asked. This was a topic I was familiar and comfortable with.
“Four and six. Boys.”
I nodded, a little wistful. It was at rare moments when I longed to see my son, to hear his voice, even to have him little again. “I remember that age. It’s hard.”
Gray looked to me, his face neutral. “You have kids?”