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My mind circled back to last night. Andi’s controlling demeanor, the way she was exactly what I needed even if I couldn’t explain why.

“The exact opposite, actually.” I scratched the back of my head.

“Explain, because you have me completely lost.”

“When I met her in Denver, we were both wasted. She intrigued the hell out of me. We got to talking—flirting, mostly—and when I realized she was there with some mutual friends of ours, I entertained the idea of meeting up with her when we got back to Vegas. Except, I was too chicken shit to ask her for her number. Instead, I remembered in our conversations where she said she worked⁠—”

“Don’t tell me you showed up at her work like a lovesick puppy?” Carter chuckled.

“Yes and no. She, uh … She sort of works at The Royale Room.”

“Dude, you’re fucking a stripper?” he whispered, looking around to make sure no one heard him.

“Technically, I fucked a stripper. Once. But it’s not like that, man. Have you ever been to that place before?”

“Hell no. The last thing I need is a rumor going around that I—the head coach of the Neon—was fucking around at a strip club.”

“I mean, it’s actually more of a sex club…” My words were hushed, realizing they didn’t sound much better.

“Jesus, man. You know I love pussy as much as any other grown single man, but as one of your best friends, I’m here to tell you this isn’t a good look.” He huffed, rubbing his hand along his jaw.

“I’m aware it looks a certain way. But it’s private. Membership based. Not just anyone can get in, and they don’t allow members to have their phones on them. People aren’t there taking photos and focusing on who the hell is doing what. I think I … like her.”

“You like her?”

“All I know is that I can’t stop thinking about her. I want to get to know her.”

“You haven’t admitted that you like anyone since Sarah⁠—”

“Don’t say her name, please.”

I was painfully aware that I hadn’t caught feelings for a woman since my last relationship seventeen years ago. Just like Andi, but for my own reasons, I’d been broken inside to the point that being alone had a much nicer ring to it.

“Sorry, man. It’s just … Don’t hate me for saying this, but isn’t a stripper’s job to make you feel like they like you?”

Hearing Carter say it out loud brought me back to that eerie feeling I had nagging me as I watched her dance.

Is it Andi? Or Scarlett Jade?

“Yeah, I don’t know.” I scratched the back on my head, unsure of what to say.

Breaking the silence, Jayson Jennings, the best forward in the league, slid up to the bench. “Hunty, long time no see!” he teased.

“Please don’t call me that.” I scowled.

“What did we do to deserve your presence during practice?”

“Oh, is that what you call what you were doing out there? Practice?” I chirped.

Honestly, it was hard either way for me. If I watched these guys play from afar, I felt more alone than ever, but if I came down to the bench, it only made me miss being a part of the game. I always wanted to play more than I ever wanted to be the guy in charge.

“Ah, he’s still one of us even if he hasn’t dressed in years.” Jayson playfully shoved my shoulder before he made his way down the tunnel to the locker room.

“He still making your job hard?” I asked Carter, chuckling under my breath.

“It’s always the good ones who bust my balls the most because they know they can get away with it.”

“Figures.” With practice wrapping up, I decided to head home and try to get some work done there. “Hey, I’ll catch you next time. Gonna head out.” I shot my thumb over my back as I turned on my heel.