The realization is enough to make me feel a little panicky. But I ignore the tingly sensation in my limbs, focusing instead on the chiseled face of the man in front of me. “Goodnight, Anton Bates.”
“Thanks for the dance, Sammy Rose.” He leans forward and kisses my cheek. It’s quick and chaste, and I shouldnotbe taking a mental snapshot of the moment, but…too late.
He walks out of the bar, and somehow, I know that this easy assignment just got way more complicated.
4
Biker Gang
Anton - Now
“Alright, gentlemen. Rest up. See you back here next week.” Our offensive coordinator dismisses us, and I stand and stretch my arms over my head, trying to work out the stiffness in my neck.
“Gotta love a bye week.” Del shoves his chair out and slaps me on the back.
I nod. My muscles are screaming at me from the practice we put in earlier today—and from the first half of the regular season. Our team, the Green Bay River Foxes, is playing well. Really well, actually. But it’s late November. We’re all a little dinged up. We had a regular week of practice, but now it’s Friday, and our coaches have given us off through Tuesday.
Granted, I’ve got scouting reports I’ll pore over and film of our next opponent queued up to watch during my downtime, but a bye week is still a luxury.
“Agreed. It’s like the heavens have opened and…do you hear that? The angels are singing!” TJ Wilson, the River Foxes’ star running back, folds his hand in prayer formation and makes a celestialAhhhhhsound.
“You know, angels aren’t the cute, cuddly little half-dressed cherub creatures we’re used to seeing in art and Precious Moments figurines. They’re actually terrifying and powerful and something far beyond what the human brain can process—“ Lawrence Poe, our resident brainiac and tight end cuts himself off. “You guys don’t really care, do you?”
“Bates!”
I turn at the sound of Coach’s voice.
“Yes, sir?”
“They need you to stop by Scott’s office after the Biker Brigade.”
I arch my brows. “What’s up?”
“No clue.” He shrugs. “Just passing along the message from the GM.”
I nod. “Sounds good.”
Scott, our team’s general manager, is a no-nonsense guy, but we get along well. It’s not unusual for me to be called into extra meetings. As the team’s quarterback, I’m often shown off as the face of the organization. I don’t mind it. I try to do everything I can to give back to the city and the team that’s become my home and my family.
Years of training to be in the public eye haven’t hurt my efforts either.
I catch up to Del, TJ, and Poe in time to hear TJ ask, “What are y’all up to this weekend?”
“I’m going to sit on my butt and watch other people play”—Del rubs his hands together—“while I eat chips and guac.”
“Original,” TJ mutters. “What about you, Poe?”
“I’ve been wanting to read the latest Nora Karl thriller since it came out last month. Going to binge it this weekend.”
“Could you guysbeany more boring?“ TJ scoffs.
Poe sticks his nose up. “Well, what do you have planned, Teej?”
“I’ve got a date.” He wiggles his eyebrows.
Del groans. “Tell me it’s not with another jersey chaser.”
“Hey, there is nothing wrong with a lady friend who appreciates my profession.”
