Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
For the most part, the guys and I can walk around Nashville without issue. However, there are times we get noticed and asked for autographs, or intrusive questions like the one I just got. Usually, it’s those questions that annoy me. It’s a side effect of the job, one none of us like, unless it’s from a kid. However, today, it served me well. Bellamy got to hear my answer, and so did everyone else. If I’m lucky, tabloids and social media will be raging with the fact that Reid Montgomery is off the market.
Taking my receipt and shoving my wallet back into my pocket, I work my way back to our table and wait for our number to be called. “How’s your day been so far?” I ask her.
“Busy,” she replies with a soft smile.
“What is it that you do?” I hate that I don’t already know the answer to the question, but we’ve got all the time in the world to learn everything about one another.
“I’m the operations manager for Riggins Enterprises.”
“Nice.” I nod. “Do you enjoy it?”
“I do. It’s always something new, and Grant and his brothers are great to work for.”
“Good guys. I’ve met them a few times. They have a cabin in Gatlinburg, and the guys and I have stayed there before.”
“Small world,” she says, just as our number is called.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell her as I stand, making my way to the counter to grab our food and carrying it back to the table.
“What about you?” she asks, as we both dive into our lunch. “How’s your day been?”
“Good. I did some laundry this morning, then met the guys at the gym to tell them I was skipping today. Then I came here.”
She coughs, and I pause the bite I was ready to put into my mouth until I know she’s okay. “You canceled on them?” Those big brown eyes are wide with shock.
“Of course, I did. I wanted to see you.”
“Aren’t you required to be there? I’m sure you missing a workout pisses off my dad.” I can’t get a read on her to see if she's happy or not, but either way, she’s engaging in conversation. She’s here, sitting across from me, sharing a meal, and that’s more than I had hoped for with all the previous rejections she’s given me.
“Nah, this is just something the guys and I do about a month before training camp starts to get back into shape from the off-season.”
“Oh. So, you blew them off.”
“I wouldn’t say I blew them off. I told them I was meeting my girl for lunch.”
“Are they mad?”
“Why would they be?”
“Because you’re here with me.”
I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. “They know you’re all I can think about. They know I’m fighting for time with you. They’re my friends. They’d never be mad at me for putting my girl first. Knox and Landry would do the same for their wives, and Baker for his son. Foster would, too, if he had someone.”
She nods but doesn’t speak as she picks up her sandwich to take another bite.
“What are your plans this weekend? Do you have any free time for me?” I ask her.
“Reid, we can’t do this. I don’t date football players, especially not my father’s football players. This won’t go anywhere.”
“Then that means I’m the only one risking the pain if that’s true, right? So, have dinner with me. We’re actually all getting together to have a cookout before training camp starts next week. I’d love for you to be there, to hang out with me and everyone. You can bring Amanda,” I offer, hoping that will be more enticing for her, knowing that her best friend will be there with her.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I nod, disappointed, and I don’t hide that from her. “Okay,” I say, feeling the heaviness of her rejection. “Training camp is tough, long days, but I’ll have my phone, so I’ll check in with you at night. They have a family day, too. It’s not like the family day you just went to, but close. I know it’s not your thing, but I’m going to add your name and Amanda’s to the list. If you change your mind and want to come, I’d love to see you.”
“You’re making this harder than it needs to be,” she says. Her tone tells me everything I need to know. She doesn’t want to keep rejecting me, but she feels like she has to.
“You let me worry about that. I’m not afraid of putting in the work, Bell.”
We both go back to eating, making small talk about the weather, and all too soon, she’s glancing at her watch. “I need to get back.”
“Can I drive you? Walk with you?”
“It’s just around the block.”
“Can I walk with you?” I ask again.