“I’m not mad. I’m disappointed.” My girl’s lips twitched like he amused her, but I’d felt the way she tensed at his words.

Satisfied, he smirked at Eva. “See? She’s fine. Maybe you’re jealous you’re not getting any time in the film room.” He sent her a lazy perusal, and I had to release Nadia to hold Eva in her seat.

“No one’s getting time in the film room. I’m showing Nadia what it’s like to be a football player here.” I nodded at Mac, who’d been unusually silent. “You’re welcome to join us any time.”

Soren opened his mouth, but I stopped him. “Not you. You’re in time out until you can learn the difference between a good joke and an insult.”

He inclined his head, accepting his punishment. I didn’t actually have the power to ban him from the film room, but he understood. Listening to me and staying away was the closest we’d get to an admission of guilt.

Nadia exchanged numbers with Eva while I cleaned up the mess and gathered our bags. I secretly hoped they hit it off. It would be nice to have someone else bring up my good qualities, and if Nadia happened to hang around more to see Eva, even better. Too bad Eva was unpredictable. She’d be just as likely to talk shit as she was to sing my praises.

On the way out, the others yelled goodbye to both of us, and Soren blew Nadia a kiss just like he had on that first morning. Unlike last time, I wasn’t willing to sit back while he fucked with my girl. I put myself between Nadia and the table, guiding her toward the entrance to the rest of the training center with a hand at her back.

Soren’s asshole act bothered me, beyond the fact that he’d taken a shot at Nadia. He wasn’t usually that much of a dick to women. Something was going on.

I glanced back at him, but he’d already turned his attention to Eva and Mac.

* * *

I’d never admit it to Coach, but the film room was one of my favorite parts of the training center. At first glance, it looked like a swanky living room with big comfortable couches, a coffee table, and a mini bar stocked with snacks and drinks. The team provided tablets for us if we were working alone, or we used the projector if we needed a bigger screen. It was a pretty sweet system, and it made me think of Nadia’s scorn at the cushy bonuses we got as football players here.