The Playmaker (A Big Play Novel Book 1) Read Free Page A

smile. “I’ve been thinking.”
    “Oh no.” Amy groans. “That’s never a good thing.”
    I laugh and waltz away from her, excited to share my news, but not before taking a few orders. Amy’s dad is like a silent assassin. He never gets loud and growly, but I can feel these disgruntled vibes oozing off him when he thinks Amy and I are slacking off. I only work at Briggs when they’re short-staffed. I’m like the backup waitress. I’m sure if I ever applied for a permanent position, he’d deny me. Amy and I get too distracted and chatty when we’re working together.
    “Good evening, Mr. Briggs.” I give him my best smile as I grab a notepad off the counter.
    “Victoria.” He nods.
    Ugh. He’s the only human on this planet who insists on calling me by my full name. I have no idea why. But I’ve had to accept it. No amount of polite, “It’s just Tori” has worked on him. Because I love Amy so much, I let him get away with it. Or maybe I’m just too chicken to get up in his face and tell him to quit it !
    Mr. Briggs scans his clipboard. “You’re on tables ten through eighteen tonight. Wednesdays are always busy, so no messing around. Got it?”
    “Yes, sir.” My playful salute earns me a deadpan stare. I grin and wink before brushing past him to attend to Table 12.
    The next half hour rushes by as I collect orders and deliver food. The families with young children are starting to leave, making way for the older crowd, which is a million times easier.
    I wave goodbye to the cute little girl with curly pigtails, then feel my breath hitch as she passes the guy holding the door open for her. She smiles up at him and my heart melts as he grins and winks at her. I’m unable to move as she disappears from sight and Colt fills the doorframe. He’s not as tall as some of his teammates, but he oozes strength. Even the way he walks is dynamic.
    I watch his blue eyes and study the contours of his chiseled face as he gives Mr. Briggs a closed-mouth smile and then requests a table. Amy’s dad nods, then pulls out a stack of menus and starts walking toward Table 18.
    That’s my table!
    A little squeak escapes my lips and I spin for the counter, ducking behind the polished mahogany to catch my breath.
    This is it. This is my chance to talk to him.
    I peek over my shoulder, craning my neck to see him slide into the circular booth.
    His friends haven’t arrived yet, so if I’m going to do this, it has to be now.
    Oh, crap.
    I press my hand into my stomach and swallow.
    “Whoa, are you okay?” Amy touches my arm, jolting me out of my freak-out.
    “Yeah.” I force a smile. “I’m good. I’m great. I’m just… My hands are shaking a little.” I hold them up and they quiver like dry leaves on a gusty fall day.
    Amy clasps them and gives my fingers a firm squeeze. “Why are you freaking out?”
    “Colt Burgess just turned up and I’m about to take his order. He’s at Table 18, because, you know, that’s the biggest table and the Raiders eat here a lot, so they always need the biggest table. Which makes sense because they’re big.”
    “Okay.” Amy starts rubbing my arms—up and down, up and down. “You’re doing that babbling thing you do. Just take a breath.”
    I breathe in, keeping my eyes on her face and mirroring her movements.
    Her voice is soothing, like a mother calming her toddler. “It’s just an order. You can do it. Nothing will go wrong…unless you’re planning on falling all over him again.”
    I tip my head with a droll glare. “That was an accident.”
    “Oh, really? I thought you were going for a spontaneous catch me when I’m falling play.” She presses her hand against her forehead and pretends to swoon.
    “No.” I draw out the word, putting on a funny voice.
    She winces. “Yikes. That’s embarrassing.”
    “Thank you.” I wriggle out of her grasp, flicking her hands off me. “I’m just feeling a little edgy because I’ve come up with a new plan, and I’m gonna