Playing to Win

of it.”
    “I’m not ashamed of anything I do.”
    “Are you sure? Why do you feel the need to hide me away like I’m some deep, dark secret?”
    “I told you. I like to keep my personal life separate from my professional life.”
    “It seems to work out just fine for your cousin. Look at all the friends Gavin has here at his wedding. So many from his team.”
    “That’s his deal, not mine.”
    “Maybe it should be your deal. If you make friends with your teammates, it makes for better game play—”
    “There’s nothing wrong with the way I play.”
    “May I finish?”
    He clamped his lips together.
    “It makes for better game play and fosters a sense of team camaraderie. Surely you know this from playing organized sports since you were a kid, through high school and then again in college. A team needs to be a cohesive unit in order to operate at prime efficiency. If one cog in the wheel is broken, the entire team suffers.”
    “I line up where I’m supposed to, and I catch the ball like I’m supposed to. My stats speak for themselves.”
    He looked away. She squeezed his hand again to get his attention.
    “So does your behavior and the fact that no team has bent over backward to keep you in the entire time you’ve been with the NFL. That speaks volumes.”
    “I didn’t come here to work tonight, Savannah.”
    Frustrated at where this conversation was going, she let go ofhis hand. “You know what, you’re right. Neither did I. Relax and enjoy your cousin’s wedding.”
    SHIT.
    Cole watched Savannah walk away. He’d hurt her feelings.
    Then again, maybe he hadn’t. She was cold and precise and doing her job, no matter what she told him about being invited to the wedding.
    She might look beautiful in a black dress that showed off her curves and her amazing legs, but she’d come here tonight for one reason and one reason only—to keep an eye on him, to monitor his behavior and report to the team.
    She was his worst goddamn nightmare, and just as bad as the media stalking him.
    A tap on his shoulder made him turn away from Savannah’s retreating form.
    It was Elizabeth, dancing with Gavin.
    “Hey, beautiful,” he said, replacing his sour expression with a grin. “And you look nice, too, Liz.”
    Gavin snorted. “You can have my bride for a few since you’re standing in the middle of the dance floor with no partner. I need to talk to the photographer.”
    “Glad to.” He took Elizabeth in his arms and swept her around the floor.
    Liz laughed. “Lose your dance partner?”
    “She needed to…uh…take a break.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    He twirled her around, hoping they weren’t going to discuss Savannah.
    Liz’s arched a brow. “Aren’t you smooth.”
    “All football players are, honey.”
    “Yeah, yeah. That’s what they all tell me. So how’s it going with Savannah? I saw the two of you dancing.”
    “It’s going just great.”
    “From the tight set of your jaw I’m thinking you’re lying to me.”
    He met her curious gaze. “It’s your wedding day. Let’s not get into this.”
    “Oh, let’s do. Tell me what’s going on.”
    He blew out a frustrated breath. “Look, I’ll put up with her invading my work life, but she had no business being here tonight. I don’t like her butting into my personal life.”
    She laughed. “Your ego never fails to amaze me. She’s here tonight because I invited her. Yes, she’s someone I recommend to players, but she’s also a good friend to me and has been for years.”
    “Huh.”
    Liz rolled her eyes. “You are such a dumbass. You thought, what? That she was stalking you or something?”
    “Or something.”
    “I don’t think you’re that important to her. You’re just a job, Cole. Quit acting like such a douchebag. And believe me when I tell you this, because you’re family now. Otherwise I wouldn’t bother because you’re already a pain in my ass.”
    He looked down at her, caught the sparkle and grin, and laughed. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll fix this.”
    “You do that. I’m going to go find my sexy husband. Oh, god. I have a husband now. Maybe I need a shot of tequila first.” She lifted up, kissed his cheek, and wandered off.
    Yeah, so he was an asshole. And overly sensitive like Savannah had told him. He grabbed a beer and found Savannah at her table nursing a glass of wine. He pulled up a chair.
    “Okay, so I was wrong. Again.”
    She smiled at him, obviously not hurt or upset. “I’m amazed you didn’t choke