Sure, but don’t take too long. I’m meeting a friend for lunch.
Everything was always on her terms. I set my phone face down on the table and glared at my plate. I didn’t want her distracting me from the game.
“Who’s Ella?” James ate some eggs.
“His…um…girlfriend.” Malik winced. “She’s back in New York.” He cut a sausage and stuffed it into his mouth.
“Girlfriend? I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.” Coley’s face lit. “What’s her last name?”
Fucking Malik. Did he say that to keep our cover with the guys? “It’s Astor. Her name’s Ella?—”
“Holy fuck, the daughter of Henry Astor? The famous New York real estate tycoon?” Coley shifted in his seat, glancing at Bailey and then James. “Guys, they own the Astor Resorts Hotels. They’re all over the world, and famous movie stars and shit stay in them.”
James’s eyes widened. “No shit? Do NFL players stay there?” He flicked his smirk at me. “Can you get us a deal?”
How would Coley know about her? With a glance at Malik, watching me with his lips pursed, I said, “I don’t think I can get any deals. Sorry, guys. But yes, I’mdatingElla Astor, the daughter of Henry Astor.” I inhaled deeply and fingered the edge of my plate. My earlier hunger had escaped me. But I had to be well-nourished for the game.
“You’re one lucky guy, Moore. But then, you’re a wealthy son of a bitch too, right?” Coley arched a brow. “I’ve seen the sick car you drive to practice.”
“My family is wealthy, yes.” I cut into my waffle. This singling-out did not sit well.
“What car is that?” Bailey sipped his juice as he glanced at Coley.
“An Audi S8. It even has the beige leather seats.” Coley flashed me a smirk. “I looked inside the windows. I couldn’t help myself. The car’s gotta be worth over a hundred-thousand, right?”
“Okay, guys, Grey’s just like the rest of us. He’s worked his ass off to be here, and he’ll help us secure theWtonight. That’s what’s important, not the car he drives or his father’s bank account.” Malik’s kind gaze swept to me, and he patted my hand, resting next to my plate. “Money can’t buy you talent or skills on the football field.”
My heart pattered against my ribcage. There Malik was, always having my back. He always knew what I needed and when, without me saying a word.
“Yeah, you’re right. Grey’s almost as skilled as you on the field, Malik.” Coley patted my shoulder.
After breakfast,I strolled to the hotel room with Malik. I had to get this phone call with Ella over with before she started getting on my ass about it. “Hey.”
Malik swung the door open and stepped inside. “I know, you have to call Ella.” Exhaling a long sigh, he ambled toward the bed and fell onto his back, his legs dangling off the end. “Do you want privacy? I can go for a walk or something.”
“No, I’ll go for a walk and call her.” This didn’t seem fair to Malik. Maybe I should let him hear the conversation? But it might hurt him. “What do you want? I don’t care if you hear it. It’s not like I’m hiding anything.” I sat beside him on the bed,threading my fingers through his dark hair. “It’s up to you.” Bending, I pressed a solid kiss against his mouth.
“I…don’t want to hear it. I think I’d rather one of us take a walk.” He lifted and twisted to face me. “I know you don’t have feelings for her, but it still gets my jealousy flowing. You know?”
“Please don’t be jealous of her.” God, I hated this. Hooking an arm around his neck, I pressed my forehead against his. “You know you’re the one I’ll always come home to.” Shit, hewasmy home.
“Yeah, I know.” Pushing on my chest, he said, “Now, get this phone call over with and when you’re done, snuggle with me on our bed.” He gave me a forced grin.
“Okay.” I kissed him again and then left the room, strolling through the hallway. It was harder every day to fake feelings for her. I pulled up her number and called it.
The line rang once and picked up. “That took a while.”
Must she begin that way? “Good morning, Ella.” We were almost in the same time zone, right?
She scoffed a laugh. “Yeah, good morning.” She paused. “You’ll play the entire game tonight, right?”
“I will.” I stopped at a window and looked at the fluffy clouds dotting the sky and the green landscape. “It’ll be hot and humid tonight.” She probably wouldn’t care about it, but I didn’t know what else to say.
“What? Aren’t you used to that?” She sighed. “Have you thought more about where we’ll go on our dates when I visit? Is your friend still dating someone?”
Oh shit, I could set up the double date I’d discussed with Malik. “Turns out Malik is no longer dating anyone, so he can meet your friend, and we can hang out together.” I wouldn’t refer to it as a date.
“That’s great news. I’ll let Tiffany know. When I told her you were friends with Malik Thompson, she almost lost her mind.” She giggled. “She goes to the football games and thinks he’s hot.”