Hooking - Kristine Allen Page 0,23

reached the hotel. Beck and Baranov gave me a fist bump before they made a quick pit stop in their room and went back downstairs. McGregor followed me into our room.

“You calling your dad?” he asked as he plopped onto the bed and turned on the TV.

“Huh? Um, yeah.” I stuttered slightly because I didn’t want to admit I was calling a chick, and I especially didn’t want anyone to know I was contacting one of the franchise employees. Because regardless of what she decided, I didn’t want her to lose her job.

“Cool. Tell him I said hello,” he said as he flipped through the channels.

Irritation simmered that he was waiting for me, but I didn’t want to make big deal of it. Instead, I stepped out onto the balcony. As I pulled up her number, I hesitated. Chewing on my lip, I questioned my sanity.

Sydney had said she didn’t want to hook up again. I was pretty sure it was the risk of getting caught that was stopping her. So why wasn’t I dropping her like a hot potato? There were so many fish in the sea that I didn’t need to chase pussy. I’d certainly never done it before.

Why was I willing to risk so much now?

Something about her intrigued me. It had since that first night, even besides the fact that I could honestly say I’d never had such off-the-charts sex as I’d had with her. The few hookups I’d had over the off-season left me feeling empty and off. There was physical satisfaction in it for my dick, but it wasn’t long-lasting and never really fulfilled my needs. In fact, after the last one, I wasn’t interested and hadn’t bothered making an effort.

Instead, I’d poured my energy into working out and spending time with my dad. I’d essentially been celibate since midsummer. Unless you counted jacking off to her memory.

Jesus, it made me sound like a real wuss. What the actual fuck?

Checking over my shoulder to see that McGregor was still engrossed in the TV, I hit call. Might as well complete the pussification cycle.

“Well, congratulations. Good game” was her immediate greeting.

“I didn’t figure you’d answer,” I admitted with a wide grin. I leaned over the balcony and ignored the cool breeze as I took in the Nashville lights.

“I’m not that rude, though I did consider it.” I appreciated her honesty.

“I’m also surprised you watched the game. More research?” A smirk stole across my face as I stared out over the city and waited for her reply.

“Something like that.” There was a rustling in the background. It gave me pause.

“You busy?” I asked, trying to sound like it was no big deal that I was curious.

“Getting ready to go out with Natalie,” she replied, and I straightened. She’d been out with Natalie the night I met her. In fact, Natalie had hooked up with my brother.

“Oh? Where are you two headed?” Though I tried to sound casual, I knew it didn’t come across that way. Fucking hell, I was turning into a puss. And all over a girl who didn’t want anything to do with me other than work or chatting on the phone, it would seem.

“Just down to a little bar in Cedar Park. There’s a live band playing that she said was really good.” The jingling of keys was followed by the sound of footsteps on stairs. “I’ll be staying overnight with Natalie! See you in the morning!” she called, but it obviously wasn’t to me.

By then I was confused and pissed. It dawned on me how little I knew about her. A million questions sat on the tip of my tongue that I had no right to ask. A small part of me was tempted to call Coop to see if he would go down to check on her. Except I didn’t want to admit to him that I was interested in a repeat with her. I’d never hear the end of it.

There were the sounds of a car starting and then I could tell I was over the auto system.

“I should probably let you go.” Irritation bloomed in my tone. I sounded like a jealous dick.

“Are you okay?” She sounded concerned.

“Can I ask you a question?” I blurted, even though that was a question.

“Sure,” she suspiciously replied.

“Are you seeing someone?” My eyes slammed shut, and I dropped my head because I sounded like a fucking girl. Her profile pic of her kissing that guy still haunted me.

She sighed but didn’t answer right