Play Date (Play Makers Book 3) (33 page)

And it was already five fifteen. So she told him firmly, “It was fun. Now get dressed.”

“In a minute.” He pulled her back to him. “I knew this guy in college. He had an ironclad policy. No sex before a big game—not even solo.” Arching an eyebrow, he added solemnly, “He’s a dentist now.”

She had to laugh at that. Then she admitted, “I wish we could just stay in bed till breakfast.”

“Me too. But I gotta get this done.”

His brisk tone surprised her, so she said quickly, “Of course you do. It’s exciting, really. I’m just nervous.”

“See, I don’t get that.” He rolled until he was hovering above her. “They’re my friends. You’re my girl. It’s destiny.”

You’re my girl.

Rachel’s heart swelled with pride that he would say those words.

His girl.

She brushed her lips across his. “I’d better get ready. You should get dressed too. Then you can study up.”

“Huh?”

She opened her nightstand drawer, pulled out the printed list entitled “Unmentionables” she had prepared for him, and waved it in front of his eyes. “You promised to behave, remember?”

He scanned the list, chuckling. “‘Bang’ I get. And ‘rubber’ and ‘bareback.’ But why can’t I say ‘sheriff’? Does it turn you on
that
much? I take that as a compliment, teach.”

“Get dressed,” she repeated. Then she grabbed her robe and ran for the shower.

• • •

When she reemerged three minutes later, he was still sprawled on the bed, reading the list.

“Vince!”

“This stuff is classic. Come here and help me study.”

“
Please
put your clothes on.” She edged back to the bathroom to do her makeup but left the door open so she could nag him.

“I can’t say ‘stripper’ or ‘bridesmaid’?” he called after her. “Or ‘doggie’? What’s left?”

“Maybe I just shouldn’t go,” she suggested cheerfully.

“Man, you’re a ball buster.” He scooped up his pants and shirt, gave her a wink, and left for the other bathroom.

Relieved, she slipped into her brand-new, hastily purchased—and obscenely expensive—skirt and top, then walked to the mirror and regarded her image critically. He wanted her to show some skin but this might be too much. Specifically, too much leg. What had looked sassy on five-foot-three Kerrie seemed more like a skater’s skirt on Rachel. Even the cowgirl dress was inches longer. Not that she’d wear
that.

And at least this version of Kerrie’s lap-dance dress was all black, thus exhibiting some sophistication. Rachel had rushed to the boutique after school on Thursday, praying the outfit would still be there. Recalculating her budget in her head again. Desperate to look good for the sports agent and the McSpurlings.

And for Vince,
she reminded herself now. He at least would love it.

So she brushed her hair one last time, slipped her feet into high black heels, then headed to the living room, hoping to find him in his equally sophisticated black shirt and beige slacks.

To her relief, he looked ready to go.

“What do you think?” she asked, twirling for his examination.

“I think I need a lap dance. Pronto.”

“Ugh, I’d better change.”

“Hey, Rachel?” He grabbed her and spun her back toward him. “We’ve got a few minutes, don’t we?”

She laughed at his amorous tone. “I’ll wear it for you when we get home. I promise.”

“Just two minutes. I’m begging you.” He nuzzled her neck. “Three minutes tops.”

She took a deep breath and reminded herself this was a big night for him. He might be signing with a new agent. Plus, his erection was seducing her in ways his mouth and husky voice only hoped to do.

“Okay, but take your pants off first,” she told him, trying to sound efficient but giggling under her breath. “I don’t want to get them wet.”

“Best night ever,” he said, kissing her mouth for a long, slow moment, then hastily shedding his slacks.

• • •

“We’re so late,” Rachel lamented, tugging at her chili-pepper red sundress as they bypassed the reception desk and reached the edge of the dining deck. This dress—one of the two she had purchased weeks ago—was a sexy wrap-around with a tight waist, thin straps and provocative neckline.

It also cost fifty-nine dollars. Not exactly McSpurling-level coterie.

“I should have worn something better,” she told Bannerman. “What were we thinking?”

“You’re nervous? I’m totally relaxed myself.”

“I wonder why.”

“Yeah.” He chuckled. “That lap dance was freaking unbelievable.”

“Add those to the list, please.”

“Huh?”

She gave him a frustrated smile. “The list of words you can’t say tonight. ‘Lap’ and ‘dance.’ Add them.”

“Man, I’m not going to be able to talk.”

“That’s the plan,” she agreed, looping her arm more tightly through his. Then she spotted their dinner companions and groaned. “I don’t think I can do this.”

It was a stunning threesome. Sean in a dark-green, long-sleeved shirt, looking pressed, cheerful, and adorable. Johnny Spurling in a black polo, more movie star than QB. Erica in a black sleeveless dress, her wavy hair spilling everywhere, her smile dazzling.

They were seated at an oval table, with John and Erica on one long side and Sean taking the end nearest his QB, which surprised Rachel, given his crush on the bride. As Rachel and Bannerman approached, they all stood up and Sean stepped toward them like an unofficial host.

Rachel accepted his embrace gratefully, charmed by his handsome glow. No trace of the misery she had sensed at her house.

Because Kerrie’s back,
she told herself.
Maybe she even filed for divorce
.

It was a good omen, wasn’t it?

“You look hot,” Sean told her as though taking full credit for her appearance.

“Hands off,” Bannerman growled. But he too looked proud as he reached for his buddy’s hand and pumped it enthusiastically. “Thanks for coming, Deck.”

“Anything for Rachel,” the kicker assured him. “Since I saw her first.”

Under other circumstances, she would have stayed to enjoy the rivalry, but this was no time to stall, so she walked over to the table, where the QB greeted her, extending his hand for a formal shake.

“Hey, Rachel,” he murmured. “Nice to finally meet.”

There was a hint of hesitation—a touch of kryptonite poisoning—that took her by surprise. She was so accustomed to Bannerman’s manhandling, she had forgotten all about this.

And from the big dog?

She decided to go easy on him. “Thanks, John. I’m glad you guys are here.”

“My turn?” Erica asked in a hopeful voice, and Rachel pivoted, not sure what to expect. But the beautiful bride’s smile was welcoming, so she let her set the tone, which she did with a gentle handshake. “We’ve been dying to meet you, Rachel. The Bam part shocked us, but you two look sooo good together. I can’t wait to hear
your
version of this story.”

Rachel smiled in relief. “It’s so nice to see you again, Erica. I loved what you said in your note. About being friends. I feel that way too.”

Bannerman wrapped his arm around Rachel’s waist, but only to shuffle her aside so he could maul Erica with a bear hug. Then he explained to them both, “You shouldn’t stand next to each other.”

“Why not?” Erica demanded.

“Every guy in the place is getting a boner,” he explained, then he caught Rachel’s pointed look and chuckled. “Should I add that to the list?”

“Please.”

When he escorted her to the free side of the table and held her chair for her, she gave him a grateful smile. Apparently he was going to behave himself, more or less.

As soon as they were seated, Bannerman asked Johnny bluntly, “So what do you think of her?”

The QB glanced at his new bride. “What do we think?”

“We think she’s gorgeous. But I like her anyway.”

A waiter arrived and asked for additional drink orders. Sean and Johnny already had beers in frosty pilsner glasses. Erica had a martini.

Bannerman responded first, pointing to his QB and saying, “I’ll have what he’s having.”

The easygoing deference surprised Rachel, but in a way it made sense. Johnny was clearly in charge of the table, although in a benevolent, hands-off sort of way. A natural born leader, he didn’t need to bark orders. Everyone was just expected to fall in line.

And given his charismatic aura, everyone would.

“What about you, teach?” Bannerman prodded.

Sean leaned forward, his smile mischievous. “Have one of those pink things you were knocking back at the wedding.”

When she fixed him with an arched eyebrow, Bannerman chuckled and warned, “Don’t get her riled up, dude.”

“Yeah, she’s got that look.”

Rachel rolled her eyes then told the waiter, “I’ll have seltzer and lime. Thanks.”

When the waiter was gone, Johnny said in a reassuring voice, “Deck keeps telling us you have a temper, Rachel. But that seems impossible.”

“Thanks. They love to tease me for some reason.”

“Yeah, well, we won’t put up with much of that, will we?”

She smiled, then took a quick look at Erica to make sure they were still on track. When the bride gave her a wink, she decided this was actually going very well.

So she said brightly, “So, Erica, Vince tells me you have an office in Portland as well as New York. That must make things easier.”

“Who’s Vince?” Johnny demanded.

“What? Oh . . .” She felt her cheeks redden as the joke sank in.

Apparently, the big dog was changing sides already. And the kryptonite had faded completely.

Bannerman leaned toward the QB. “Rachel doesn’t like humor. I should have warned you about that.”

“Vince . . .” she murmured.

He continued, relentless. “I’m just kidding. She loves it. Tell them your Portland joke, teach.” Before she could do anything but panic, he turned back to his audience. “She says it’s on her bucket list. Because she’ll
need
a bucket if she ever goes there again. So she can barf in it. Get it?”

Rachel wanted to close her eyes. To shut out this ridiculous situation. But Erica’s hurt expression captured her gaze.

“Because of my wedding?” the bride asked. “I’m so sorry, Rachel. I knew it was bad, but wow.”

“It was a beautiful wedding,” Rachel told her apologetically. “Breathtaking, really. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

“Yeah,” Bannerman insisted. “She liked it so much, she’s giving me a re-match next month when Dub gets hitched to Sophie.”

“Vince!”

“What?” He seemed honestly confused. “Re-match? Is that on the list?”

Johnny chuckled. “There really
is
a list? Let me guess
. Bang
is at the top?”

Sean and Erica laughed, and Rachel tried to smile.

Then Bannerman reached into his pocket and actually pulled out the carefully printed sheet of paper. “Wait till you see it. It’s hilarious.”

Her cheeks burned, but everyone else was having a great time. “That looks pretty long,” Sean told her teasingly. “I should study it. Just so I don’t piss you off again.”

“
Really
, Sean?” She gave him a death glare, then squared her shoulders and stood up, her fake smile firmly back in place. “Excuse me, I need to dash to the restroom.”

“Don’t go,” Erica begged her. “They’re just being themselves.”

“It’s not that,” she lied. “I just need to powder my nose.”

“Hey, teach?”

She gave her date an icy glare. “What?”

“You know the drill.” He held out his hand. “Wallet and phone.”

“Oh, my God,” she whispered. Then she slammed her clutch purse against his chest and stormed away, scanning for the restrooms, but knowing if she saw an EXIT sign first, she would gladly walk all the way home.

• • •

Erica watched in dismay as Rachel disappeared from view.

What a disaster.

Johnny wasn’t helping matters. Neither was Sean. Both men were laughing as though Bannerman had just told the world’s funniest joke.

“You make her leave her purse?” the QB demanded.

“She’s a runner,” Bannerman confirmed. “You should have seen her last week. I took her to that golf resort on the coast, and she almost ditched me halfway through dinner.”

Erica’s patience snapped.
“Bam!”

All three men turned to her, clearly startled, and the halfback murmured, “What’s wrong?”

“What are you doing? I thought you
liked
this woman.”

“I do.”

“Then why are you teasing her so much?”

“Yeah, man,” Sean told him mercilessly. “You’re blowing it. I can’t believe I thought she’d fall for you.”

“You guys are wrong,” Bannerman said confidently. “She loves it when I tease her. She tells me that all the time.”

Johnny fixed him with a big brotherly look. “She likes it in private. Not in front of people she just met.”

“Yeah, Bam,” Sean said, grinning. “You’re embarrassing the hell out of her. Nice job.”

Bannerman seemed surprised again. Then he focused on his QB. “Do
you
think I’m blowing it?”

“Frankly? Yeah, I think you are. The question is, do you care?”

Erica almost felt sorry for the halfback. He seemed so completely out of his element with this. Hundreds of disposable relationships with multiple women hadn’t prepared him for real life. And maybe Johnny was right. Maybe he didn’t want it enough after all.

And maybe that was for the best.

Still, he looked miserable. And she wanted to help. But Rachel needed her more, so she stood up. “I’ll go check on her. Oh!” Sitting back down quickly, she told them in a worried whisper, “She’s back already.”

Disheartened, she imagined what would happen now. Rachel would demand the return of her purse, would excuse herself haughtily, and then ask Sean for a ride home. Who could blame her?

And so it took a moment to realize the tall, beautiful blonde in the hot red dress didn’t look upset. In fact, she had that radiant quality that had been so eye-catching at the wedding. The one Erica hoped to capture for her video collection of inspiring images.