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"These are my friends, Morgan and Erica." Lexi gestured at each of them in turn as Luke handed her their tickets. Luke introduced the guys as Chris, Nick and Joey. Lexi told Chris she was friends with his sister Amy, and they'd all met each other at Amy's welcome home party.
Morgan flipped the burgers on the grill. "Who wants some grub? We have more than enough for everyone."
The guys rubbed their bellies hungrily, so Erica placed more patties over the fire. She took a huge bite out of the remainder of her burger, getting a glob of ketchup on her chin and trying to wipe if off inconspicuously.
"So how did you learn to catch like that?" Luke asked Erica, opening one of the beers Chris had brought and handing each of them a fresh one. "I know some wide receivers who can't do that and they have fair warning before something is thrown at them."
Erica laughed. "I've been told I have magic hands. Plus my three brothers were all football players."
Luke smiled. "Ah, so it's in your blood?"
She shrugged. "That, and they used to throw me the ball when I wasn't looking, so my reflexes developed pretty quickly," she laughed.
"Hey, Luke! You ready? Those Miami fans wanted to play a game of five-on-five," Nick said.
"I'm always ready. But if my math is right, we're missing a fifth," Luke noted.
The four guys looked at Erica with a silent proposition. "Sure, I'll play," she replied with a smile, licking the ketchup off of her fingers. She was happy to be included in their impromptu game. There were too many men out there who would never consider inviting a woman to play with them, even if they were actually athletic. She'd been on Purdue's track team, so she could run pretty fast, and they'd witnessed what she could do with the ball.
Lexi and Morgan begged off, wanting to be left to their own devices and argue football with stubborn Miami fans. Erica left with the boys, following Luke and his friends through the rows of parked cars, grills, makeshift bars, and TVs equipped with portable satellite dishes. Luke and Erica bantered about football on the way, debating who were the most improved teams since last season.
"You really know a lot about football, don't you?" Luke told her. "I'm impressed. It's rare that I meet girls who are that into the game, and not for the cheerleading."
"I'm not the cheerleader type," Erica responded. "I think pom-poms look ridiculous, and I don't think it's normal to stand around in the cold wearing only a little skirt and crop top."
Luke laughed, glancing at her again. "I think you'd look hot with a little skirt on," he blurted, his eyes glazing over, then quickly added, "But there's nothing hotter than a woman wearing only a football jersey." Erica caught his eye and grinned. So he was flirting, was he? He intrigued her, and she was curious to get to know him better.
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