I nodded as I dragged my fork through what was left of my pasta. “It’s just strange to feel so out of control. Like, within the span of a week, my whole life changed. Before, all I could think about was the bar and waiting for my results—which, by the way, I don’t have yet—and my new job and how everything was going to play out over the next year or two. Now, all I can think about is Ross. Me. Can you believe that? I never thought I’d be one of those prissy girls who lose their head over some guy but look at me. That’s exactly what’s happening.”
Rayna smiled. “The control freak is losing her grip.”
I rolled my eyes. “No.”
“Hate to break it to ya, Shelb, but that’s what happens when you’re falling in love. You lose the ability to think clearly and get impulsive and crazy. Just enjoy the ride. It doesn’t last for too long.”
I laughed under my breath at her glowing assessment. “You’re such a romantic.”
She plucked the last fry from her plate. “Tell me about it.”
“Speaking of…whatever happened to that guy you were seeing? The hot one at the gym?”
Rayna sighed. “If we’re going to go there, I’m going to need another order of fries. And probably a chocolate milkshake.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Worse.”
I pulled a face. “Yikes.”
She bobbed her straw up and down in her glass of Sprite. “Yeah. He got a little snarky about Hudson.”
“Why?”
“Did you order those fries yet? And make it a large chocolate shake.”
“Did you tell him about the whole situation?”
Rayna gave a twisted smile. “Oh, yeah. That went well. He called him a convict, and if the court said Hudson was guilty, then he must be, and I should accept my brother is a loser and move on with my own life.”
“Wow!” I said a little too loudly. “What did you say?”
“I didn’t say anything. I punched him in the throat and left. Never called him after that.”
“Damn. Good riddance.”
“Right? It’s for the best. Better to have found out now what a piece of shit he really is than to waste another six months. Besides, I don’t have a lot of time for dating, anyway. I could only see you today because the office is closed.”
I nodded sadly, wishing I had enough money to pay off the loans she’d taken to fight for her brother’s freedom. At the moment, I didn’t have enough to keep up with my own loans. I knew Rayna was too proud to take my money, though. There was only one way to help her that she would accept—passing the bar and getting settled into my job at the public defender’s office. I couldn’t let anything—not even devastatingly handsome football players—keep me from the path that I’d started down nearly five years ago.
14
Ross
“Just tell me I’m not the biggest asshole in the world.”
Shelby giggled and I relaxed. “You’re not an asshole. It’s totally fine. Chance’s fiancée and I hit it off on the plane. She is very cool. I’m glad we met. So, we’ll head over to the hotel and then walk around a little, take in the sights. It’s been a while since I was in the Big Apple, and I’m anxious for a good old-fashioned slice of pizza.”
“All right,” I said, smiling even though the idea rankled me all over again. I was supposed to be there at the airport to pick her up and take her to the hotel, but Coach put the team on lockdown after our flight got delayed due to the weather. We would be at the stadium, getting ready, and wouldn’t be leaving until after the game was over.
“It’s gonna be fine, Ross.”
“Okay. Listen, I gotta go before Coach wrings my neck. I’ll see you after the game.”
“Kick some ass.”
I laughed and swiped the end button on the phone.
“That your new girl?”
I turned and found Chance hovering nearby. “Yeah. Shelby. She sat next to Lacey on the plane, so they’re gonna bum around town since we’re stuck here.”
Chance nodded. “Yeah, I just got off the phone with Lacey. Must be pretty serious with you and Shelby, huh?”
I shrugged, but couldn’t stop a smile from spreading over my face. I probably looked like a big, love-struck idiot. And I didn’t even care.
Chance chuckled. “Got it bad. Another one bites the dust.”
“I’m sure the rest of those knuckleheads are gonna be pissed,” I said, tossing a glance at our nearby teammates. Most of them were single—or at least acted like it—and wanted to live it up, especially on the road. I’d never given their teasing too much attention, and I certainly wasn’t going to now.
Chance grinned. “Nah. They all think you’re boring, Leverette.”
I chucked a towel at him. “Just sayin’. They practically held a funeral when you got engaged.”
He laughed and balled up the towel he’d effortlessly caught mid-air. “Yeah. I was more fun, though, pre-Lacey and Aria. You were never the strip club, pussy chasin’ type. No matter how hard those bozos tried to corrupt you.”