After we made it to Lily’s rental car, we both got in and we were off to the restaurant.
It wasn’t far away, but we didn’t really talk during the drive. I had only been in the state for 3 days and certainly wasn’t familiar with the territory, spending all my time at the facility, but I had picked out a good Mediterranean place on Yelp, and it wasn’t too tough to find it. It was a small place, a real hole in the wall, which was exactly what I wanted; less chance of anyone recognizing me there.
We sat at the table and browsed our menus, but I knew immediately what I was going to get, so I spent my time looking at the wine menu. Lily took a bit more time, so I ordered a bottle first, and we sipped at the dark red while she finished up choosing her food.
After we ordered, we sat and stared at each other. I couldn’t help but imagine her in a darker room, alone with me, while I tore that dress off her and made her moan. I felt my cock thickening against my leg under the table, and I wanted to reach our and take Lily’s hand and guide her toward it.
Of course, I didn’t. “How’s life at the Patriots facility so far?”
“I’m just getting settled in. It’s a little weird, because no one will talk to me. I have to wear this giant ‘PRESS’ badge at all times when I’m on campus, and once they see that, people just give me blank stares, if they don’t simply turn and walk the other way.”
I laughed. “Yeah, you’re the enemy around here alright. I bet you’ll never even see Bernie Adams’ office, let alone the man himself.”
Lily’s eyes brightened. “I know, and that bums me out. My dad and I have been a huge fan of Bernie since as long as I can remember.”
“So you know what he does for a living, then?”
She smiled. “I have a little idea.”
Bernie Adams was a legend in New England. He’d been working for the Patriots forever now, and no one quite knew what he did. His official title was “Director of Special Projects” or some shit like that, which sounded hilariously clandestine for someone who worked for a professional football team.
“Well, that’s as far as you’ll get.”
“I sure hope not.”
We didn’t say anything else for a minute as we both suddenly got very interested in our wine glasses. After a couple more sips, I finally couldn’t hold it in anymore. “You look sexy as fuck tonight, Lily.”
I couldn’t tell whether she wanted to laugh or slap the shit out of me. I had a hunch if we had been alone it would have been the latter, but she settled for the former. “You really know how to charm a girl, don’t you, Drake?”
“Yeah, a little bit.”
“Well, you don’t need to do that with me, OK? Let’s try and keep this professional.” Oof, that hurt a little big. OK, a lot. I wasn’t used to getting turned down like that, and I couldn’t remember the last time it had happened.
“Right, right, professional. But remember, this is off the record, yeah? None of what we say or do here tonight makes it into any of your columns, got it?”
“I got it.” She pulled out her purse, and made a big show of rummaging around in there.
I felt the first twinge of anger rise. “What’re you doing? Were you recording this?”
She laughed. “No, dummy, I’m texting the camera guy hiding in the bushes and filming us to take a break until tomorrow.”
I gave her a blank stare.
She blinked, smiling. “I’m kidding, Drake, kidding! I respect what you said earlier. No recordings of any kind. Want to check my phone and my bag?”
I waved her away. “Nah, I’ll trust you this one time.”
“Good.”
We were silent again as the food arrived, and spent a few minutes investigating and testing our our meals. The plate I had ordered was delicious, and despite what I had thought earlier about skipping dinner and getting right to being all over Lily, I found myself famished, and demolishing my meal right there.
Lily watched as I devoured my food, while she ate at a much more refined pace. I couldn’t help it, though, even though I had eaten full meals at breakfast and lunch, with snacks in between, after a full day of working out and practicing, I was hungrier than an ox.
“What?” I stopped eating for a moment. She was staring at me. “Never seen a guy eat before?”
“Not like that.”
I slowed down a little bit, and she still stared at me. I set my fork down and looked back at her. “Can I help you?”
“Yeah, you can. What’re you doing here, Drake?”
“We’re having dinne-“
“That’s not what I meant,” Lily interrupted. “The Patriots. Why are you here?”
“Huh? I want to make the team.”
“Everyone wants to make the team, why do you want it? Is it for the money? You’re an undrafted free agent. You’re not going to get paid much.”
I darkened. I really didn’t like it when people brought up my contract status, and Lily knew that. “I know there’s not a lot-“