a few quiet moments. She fiddled with the drink in her hand. “This season has been really hard on him. He’s under a lot of pressure…”
And things will get better once he’s achieved x, y, z.
I’d studied cases like hers hundreds of times—not that she was a client or a case—but I couldn’t always turn it off. Couldn’t always act like I didn’t see what others couldn’t. She may be happy with Rick, but it wasn’t exactly a healthy relationship.
“I get it,” I said honestly, hoping that my Spidey sense was overreacting. Could be possible, especially with the pregnancy hormones. I could be overly protective of my new friend and simply cranky at anyone who threw shade her way. “It happens.” I shrugged. “But, you know, I’m here if you ever need to vent.”
Teagan smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks, Liberty,” she said. “I really appreciate it.” She sighed. “I like having you around. I’m glad Nixon is being good to you. I’d hate for him to run you off.” There was a lightness returning to her tone that helped set my nerves at ease.
I don’t run from you.
The promise we’d made each other echoed in my mind.
“Not yet,” I teased, my eyes scanning the crowd. He stood between Roman and Rick. I’d found him like I’d always known where he was. The man wasn’t hard to miss with his incredible frame, dark hair, and penetrating gaze that had the ability to render me absolutely useless. “I do love his little family, though,” I said, smiling at the way he laughed at something Roman had said. “You and Roman and Hendrix,” I clarified in case she thought I was talking about Nathan.
“Yeah,” she said. “It’s funny how the team is like a family, only more intense in some ways.”
I nodded. “I guess you have to be when you all rely on each other on a daily basis.” I straightened as I watched a few blondes stroll up to the group of men, their smiles wide and laughs loud. One of them seemed vaguely familiar—a cheerleader?—and put her hand on Nixon’s arm.
I resisted the urge to hiss. I’d been to more than my fair share of these public events now, and yet somehow, I still wasn’t used to the constant pawing for Nixon’s attention. God, it must be exhausting—the sport of hunting for a rich and famous partner to exploit.
“Ugh,” a feminine groan snapped me out of my sizzling stare. A gorgeous young girl with fiery red hair tied back in a wonder woman braid strolled right between Teagan and me. She plucked the glass from Teagan’s hand and tossed back the contents. “These things are always the same.”
“Savannah!” Teagan chided, but a genuine smile shaped her lips. “If your dad catches you drinking my drink he’ll kill me.”
“Drank,” Savannah said, setting the now-empty glass on the bar.
Teagan shook her head at the bartender’s silent question.
“I’m almost twenty-one,” Savannah said as she leaned against the bar. Her black romper showed her mile-long legs which were capped off with some moto boots, studs lining their seams. Her eyes tracked someone across the greenery, and I followed her gaze to Hendrix Malone, one of Nixon’s best friends.
Hendrix wore a suit of royal blue, no doubt to accentuate his crushing blue eyes. He’d kept his blond hair disheveled with that just-rolled-out-of-bed look, as if he needed to rebel against the clean lines of his immaculate suit. And that smile? Pure mischief as he walked through the gardens like he was on the prowl.
Savannah tensed slightly when she caught me watching her, and then rolled her eyes. “It’s a curse,” she said. “Being surrounded by hot men constantly. You can’t look anywhere without spotting one.” The girl radiated strength and that I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude.
I instantly liked her.
Teagan laughed, nudging her. “Please, no more sneaking drinks tonight? I’d rather not get an earful from Coach.”
“He’d go after Rick first,” Savannah said, then shrugged. “Or maybe Roman. Either way, he adores you, so your murder accusations are completely off-base.”
“You’re Coach Goodman’s daughter?” I asked.
“The one and only,” she said, extending her hand. “And you must be the infamous Liberty Jones. The mythical unicorn capable of making our broody-ass quarterback smile for a change.”
I raised my brows, my heart fluttering slightly at that declaration. “I suppose I am,” I chuckled as I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same,” she said, glancing at Teagan as she returned to leaning against the bar. “It’ll be nice to have