Page 88 of Filthy Player
She wasn’t a close friend, but until Melanie and Beaux and everyone who came with him fell into my lap, she’d pretty much been all I had.
Beaux’s interview was just starting to come on, Curt Banner introducing him when she returned with our food.
Sliding everything onto the table, she looked at the television that held our focus. On it, was a split screen shot of Curt and Beaux.
“You know,” Hannah said, “It’s funny. You put their two faces next to each other like that and they look really similar. Don’t you think?”
I was already looking at the images, but I was more focused on Beaux. Because how could you not be? The man wasn’t just sexy as sin, he was all mine.
“I don’t know,” I said, at the same time Shannon did. “But their face shape, maybe.”
“I think it’s the eyes,” Hannah said. “They both have the same blue eyes. And sexy lips.”
That was the Hannah I knew.
“Yeah,” I laughed. “He does have some sexy lips.”
She rolled her eyes but lost her smile. Not even a comeback or innuendo to tease me. Strange. “Well, I should get moving. Just shout if y’all need anything.”
She turned in a huff and I went back to the television screen.
We watched the interview, me mostly gazing at Beaux’s smile as he talked about the team, the season, and everything in between. We sat through a few commercial breaks, and I was shoving an onion ring into my mouth when an image of Beaux and I outside their practice field popped onto the screen.
I’d met him there a few times when he was done working out or after practices so we could go out, and there were usually reporters there. It didn’t surprise me they’d taken our photo at some point.
Curt smiled, asking Beaux a question, and Beaux’s lips pulled into a thin line.
“Told you, Curt. My personal life is just that.”
“Yeah, man, we all know. But come on. Give us something about this girl you’ve been with. Nobody’s ever seen you tied to someone so many times.”
“She’s special to me,” Beaux said, “And that’s all you’re getting.”
The camera flashed back to Beaux. I was a mixture of nerves, glancing around the restaurant, seeing if anyone had recognized me, knew I was there, and cold needles pricked down my spine.
I turned and saw Hannah watching the television. Her eyes narrowed into a glare and then a little smirk as she turned and waved at me, flashing me a thumbs up.
I laughed and turned back to the table.
No one in the restaurant cared at all we were there. To make sure, I turned to Jaxon. “Everything okay?”
“Be better when you’re out of this place. Something doesn’t feel right.”
“It’s probably all that hot sauce you used.”
He glared at me. I was used to it. “Eat your food.”
“Aye-aye, Rambo.”
He shook his head. He didn’t think his nickname was nearly as cute as Melanie and I did.
Whatever.
We finished our dinner, Hannah still keeping her distance, and it only made me want to clear the air.
“Hey, girl,” I said when she brought us our check. “Do you get off soon? I was hoping we could hang out and have a drink when you’re off and catch up.”
“Sure. That’d be great if you’re not too busy.”
