Page 29 of Offensive Plays

"So that’s why you bid on me?"

No. I bid on you because your brother is an arrogant asshole who needs to be taken down a few notches.

When I don't say anything, he adds, "Oh, right. Jonah."

"What's his deal anyway? You'd think him taking over your dad's church would finally force him to grow up.”

He shakes his head. "Jonah is....he's just cut from a different cloth."

"Is that cloth made of assholes?"

Michael holds back a grin at my remark. "Sometimes I wonder."

Quiet again.

There's history between Michael and me. Yes, we grew up together. Yes, we were friends once. And yes, in high school, I ended up dating his older brother—the one we both agree can be an asshole.

But as adults, we haven't talked much. And I have my reasons for that.

The car maneuvers through the streets leading up to our gated community. Houston is big, but being connected to the Heatwave makes it seem so small. I run into my brother’s people everywhere.

He pulls up his phone again, and I remember that I have a message from him waiting in my inbox.

He stares at the screen and then puts his phone back on his lap.

This car ride couldn't go any slower if the driver were trying.

"So you're just going to go to sleep then?" he asks.

I think about the texts we exchanged on the app. We both fully expected to be doing the dirty tonight.

And even though I can't be with him. I can at least...I don't know. Be a good friend.

The car pulls up in front of Gigi's house.

The lights are off, and I remember she won't be home for a few days. She has photoshoots in New York and LA this week.

"Do you...wanna come in for some hot chocolate?"

He looks at his phone one more time before he answers. "Hot chocolate sounds great."

He says meeting my gaze. There's sadness on his face. And I can't help but feel that I'm the one that's caused it.

"Cool," I say, reaching for my bag to pull out my card.

He places a hand over mine, "I've got this."

His warm hand on mine sends bolts of desire coursing through my veins, and I know instantly that I've made a mistake in inviting him in.

Chapter 7

Michael

"The cleaning lady won't be in until Monday," Libby says.

I scan the house. "It's so...quiet."

I'm used to living in a home with two other teammates. The TV is always blasting with a game on or the sound system out back with one of them lounging by the pool.