The Grumpy Player Next Door (Copper Valley Fireballs Book 3) by Pippa Grant

Author:Pippa Grant [Grant, Pippa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Bang Laugh Love LLC
Published: 2021-07-08T04:00:00+00:00

18

Tillie Jean

Sloane and I walk into The Grog like two cowboys swinging into an old west saloon, except for the part where my ass hurts a little every time I step with my left foot, there’s no saloon music, and if I called out Giddyup, cowboy!, my grandfather’s parrot, who’s flitting around the room from perch to perch, would probably laugh at me and tell me to fuck off because this is a pirate town.

But we’re still trying for swagger.

“Oh my gosh, she’s even more adorable in person than on the picture on her website,” Sloane breathes.

It takes me a minute to remember who she is, since my eyes have immediately gone to the pool table, where Max and Trevor are engaged in a game that has both of them appearing relaxed and happy, which is dangerous territory.

They’re both drinking out of traditional Grog steins, though I’d bet hard money Max’s drink is plain tea. And then I wonder if he’s having a hamburger tonight. I’ve heard through the grapevine that he stops by once a week and orders one. His one indulgence after eating clean and working out hard all week to stay in top shape the other six and two-thirds days of the week.

I can’t do one indulgence a week.

I need one of Grady’s donuts at least two mornings a week, plus Korean barbecue any opportunity I get, and I’m no slouch in the kitchen or on the grill.

It’s why I have to do aerobics at the senior center and participate in the town’s 5k runs.

And now I’m wondering if Max would ever do aerobics at the senior center like Cooper does on occasion.

“I can’t do it, TJ,” Sloane whispers.

“What? You stop by boot camp all the time.”

She gives me a weird look.

I give her a weird look right back, realize I was lost in my head and boot camp has nothing to do with what she’s talking about, and straighten with a hot-cheeked smile. “Oh. Right. Henri. C’mon. She’s awesome, and you’ll make her night if you ask her to sign your autograph book.”

One eye crinkles. “Why were you thinking about boot camp?”

“The brain works in mysterious ways. And right now, my brain says you need to meet Henri.”

“Can we do it in the ladies’ room though? I don’t want the rest of the team to see.”

“So long as I give her a heads-up first. If it’s a planned bathroom ambush, that’s okay. If it’s unplanned, it’s awkward.”

“Tillie Jean!” Marisol rises and waves at me, and the group bent over a card game at the end of the pushed-together tables all look up too. “Come show Emilio the picture of your painting that you showed me earlier.”

And now I’m blushing even worse.

I shoot one last unintentional look at the pool table, catch Max watching me, and duck my head and cross the bar to the group, waving at other friends as I go.

Sloane’s previously met a bunch of the team here tonight, since Cooper’s teammates aren’t usually strangers to Shipwreck.

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