“I would never use Chad’s celebrity status to get deals.” She threw her thumb his way. “And Chad isn’t my friend anymore.”
“Sorry.” Scott held up his hands. “That came out wrong, Jo. I just think it’s cool that you know such a great player, is all. I didn’t mean any offense.”
Chad set down his glass. “But now I’m offended, Jo. I thought we were friends.” He glanced at Scott. “I talk to her every day.”
Scott’s forehead furrowed. “Every day?”
“Yep.” Chad crossed two fingers. “We’re tight.”
“Stop it, Chad.” Jo shook her head. “I’m his physical therapist.”
Scott’s eyes widened. “Yeah, I saw you get hurt on TV last month. Tough hit. They should’ve fined that guy.” Scott turned his attention to Jo. “But I thought you owned a restaurant?”
“I do.” Jo sipped her pink girly drink. “But I used to be a PT. Chad is just being annoying.” To make her point, she poked Chad’s injured shoulder. “You should get your food to go.”
The searing pain made him grunt and grit his teeth. “Does her dating profile warn about the poking? She’s got lethal aim.”
Jo ignored that and said, “What’s wrong with your shoulder, Chad?”
“Nothing. Now back to Jo and her bad habits.” He took a long pull from his beer, willing the pain in his shoulder to back off. The slightest touch killed him. It must be dislocated again.
Jo leaned over and tugged on the collar of his shirt to see for herself. It was all he could do to grind out through the pain, “See, she can’t keep her hands off of me.” He met Jo’s gaze and whispered, “Can you take it easy, please?”
She continued her exam. “Can you lift your arm? And is there numbness?”
“Nope. And yep.”
“That’s a bad bruise. What happened?” Jo frowned as she popped a few more snaps open on his Western shirt. When she laid her palm on his shoulder and pressed, he let out a guttural moan.
Ryan stopped coloring and concern scrunched his features. “Are you okay, Chad?” If Chad didn’t know better, he might think Ryan actually cared for him a little.
“Yeah. Fine. I just ran into a hoof. It’ll be better in a day or two.”
Jo ran her hand over the top of his shoulder and then the back of his neck. Normally, he’d have enjoyed her soft caress. “We need to get you to the ER.”
“Nope.” He held up a hand on his good arm. “Look, here’s our food. Let’s just eat and forget about my shoulder.” He wished he really could forget about his shoulder. He couldn’t wait to get back home so Jo could pop it back in place.
Looked like he was going to have to take those prescription pain pills he’d avoided for weeks after all.
Jo couldn’t imagine a date going worse than the one she was in the middle of. Scott was more interested in Chad than her. Mr. Football wasn’t helping by telling locker room stories any fan would die to hear. Chad had a flair for storytelling. Even Ryan seemed captivated by Chad’s tales.
She speared a spring potato and popped it into her mouth, barely tasting the buttery chive goodness.
Then absolute annoyance had her stabbing a piece of chicken a little too hard. She’d been trying to get to know Scott before Chad showed up smelling like a barn and looking like a battered, sexy bull rider. But the truth was, Scott just wasn’t ringing her bell. Sure, he was handsome in a nerdy kind of way, and boy, was he built, but he wasn’t much of a conversationalist. Luckily, Ryan had been there so she could focus on him when Scott grew quiet. She preferred guys who didn’t rely on her to carry the whole conversation during a date.
She glanced at Chad, his fork stabbing the air for emphasis as he talked about formations and long passes that had led to his last division win. Scott gazed at Chad like it was love at first sight.
Maybe taking Chad to the ER would be a good way to get out of the uneasy silence that was sure to fall over them when Chad and Ryan left in a few minutes. And she really wasn’t looking forward to the awkward “good night” after the date. No way was she kissing Scott.
He’d probably rather kiss Chad anyway.
When he was done eating, Scott leaned close and said, “I’ll take Chad to the hospital. Why don’t you take Ryan home?”
Seriously? There was such a bromance going on between them, she was tempted to tell them to get a room.
Chad said, “Not necessary. Jo’ll fix me up.” He turned and smiled at her. “Ready to go home and get rough with me, babe?”