𝐒𝐋𝐔𝐓! ʲ ᵇᵘʳʳᵒʷ

𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬

CHAPTER EIGHT          crossed signals

"At the end of the day, I know where my priorities lie."

I'M DREADING going back for my first in-office day since the game. Tee has been so great- he's grown from a co-worker to a friend. We met for lunch one afternoon on his off day and a remote workday for me. There was a specific little diner he requested, one where we wouldn't get much attention. He put down a double cheeseburger while I stuck to a plate of french fries and a chocolate milkshake.

"Not to be weird, but I looked you up," Tee said, biting into his cheeseburger. I give him an awkward smile, dipping the fry into the dessert. "What did you see first, my 'dating history', Joe screaming at me, or my actual cheer resume?" He nods as he chews, signaling to give him a second. He takes a sip of his soda before answering. "If I'mma be honest, the dating, but I went through and watched your film from the Cowboys and from college. That shit was sick, I can't believe we didn't pick you up."

I raise my eyebrows, chewing the fry. "Well, blame the dating for it. I tried out, actually. They told me I didn't fit the dynamic or have the reputation."

He rolls his eyes, taking another sip from the straw. "Bull."

We sit in a small silence, picking at our food. He shifts uncomfortably. "Talullah, you're great. I don't wanna kill your vibe, but I feel like you deserve to know. They talk about you in the locker room."

I swallow, the fry getting stuck in my throat. "Uh oh," I mutter dryly, taking a sip of my milkshake. "What do they say?"

Tee wipes his hands on a napkin. "Well, it's half and half, kinda. You got me and Chase who were saying you're cool as hell. Then you got people like Andrei and Hubbard who think the shit's true. I ain't gonna tell you what Andrei said, you might wanna get a restraining order on him though." He shakes his head, "Freak ass boy." I laugh, covering my mouth. "Ew."

I want to ask him if Joe says anything- if he enables their negative talk, or if he defends me. If he even blinks an eye at the mention of their name. Especially since he's been so hot and cold lately.

He leans back in his seat, calculating me. He does it a little too well- "They been talking about the video, too." I pick up another fry, dragging it in the ketchup. "Oh." It's all I can say.

"Yup," he says, watching for a reaction as he takes another bite of his food. I feel desperate; my heart's beating a little faster and my stomach is tingly. Neither of us say much. I don't know what to say, and Tee's gazing at me with such intensity that I feel like I did something wrong.

"Lua," he begins, breaking the silence. "Joe ain't the type of guy who shows his emotions. If you want my dead honest opinion, he was probably mad 'cause he was getting flamed in the locker room during half-time. He was... playing like shit, if you want me to be honest." I cross my legs, letting my arms rest in my lap. "I didn't think he was that bad."