Chapter 139: Because I met you

ALISON

I twisted my hand so that my fingers laced with his. "Are you sure you weren't lying about being the top of your class? That's some fancy word work there."

"Lying . . .?" He squinted as if trying to figure out what I meant, and then his face cleared. "Oh, the hospital. Two lies and a truth. Yeah, I wish that wasn't a lie, but even my fancy word work didn't get me in the top ten percent. But I try to be the exception to the rule when it comes to dumb athletes."

"You're definitely not dumb. I don't know many football players, but the two I have met-you and Jackson-tell me that the stereotype is a joke."

"You'd be mostly right. I'm acquainted with a few idiots, but this career can be complicated. You can't be an idiot and survive." He waved the hand that wasn't holding tightly onto mine. "That's neither here nor there, and stop trying to divert me. You heard what I said a minute ago."

I expelled a soft breath. "I did."