Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
It’s the first I’ve heard of it, but I’m rolling with it. “Right,” I agree. “And pissing her off is not at the top of my list of fun things to do.” My comment kind of makes her sound like a diva when she is anything but; however, it works because the guys grumble, but none of them invite themselves over. Caleb catches my eye and gives me a subtle nod. Good. He wasn’t feeling it either. Now all I have to do is get him to leave me alone with his sister when we get back to his place.
“You bowing out too?” Dominic asks me.
“Yep. When the lady of the house requests your presence, you make it a point to be there.”
“Lady of the house?” He raises his eyebrows.
“She’s the closest thing this one’s going to get to having a lady of the house.” I point at Caleb.
“He’s not wrong.” Caleb shrugs, taking the jab in stride.
“Fine. You two loners go home and be bored sitting on the couch while the rest of us celebrate with some babes and beers,” Dominic comments.
“I’m out too,” our quarterback, Bronson Baker, announces. “The youngest isn’t feeling well. I told the wife I’d come to relieve her.”
By the time we’ve all showered, a handful of players, mostly the rookies, are headed for drinks while the rest of us head home. I remember a time when I was Dominic and celebrating a night out. Maybe a hookup to warm my bed was the only way I wanted to celebrate. Now, just the thought of the chance of spending a little time with Joey has me rushing Caleb’s ass so we can get to my car and get home.
“Damn,” Caleb mutters when we walk into the house. “Something smells damn good.” He drops his bag at the door and stalks into the house. “Joey!” he calls.
“In the kitchen!” her sweet voice calls back.
I discard my bag by the door and follow him into the kitchen. “What’s all this?” I can’t help but ask as the incredible aroma greets me.
“A celebratory dinner.” Joey smiles up at me, and I feel something shift in my chest.
“And what if we would have lost?” Caleb asks with humor in his voice.
“Well, then it would have been a ‘pick yourself up and try again’ dinner. Now, if you’re done questioning me, you can set the table,” she tells him, sticking her tongue out.
“Yes, ma’am. What’s on the menu?” he asks.
“Lasagna, garlic bread, and salad. Brock, do you mind getting the bowl of salad out of the fridge? And there are a couple of different dressings too, if you don’t mind grabbing those as well?”
“On it.” I get to work doing as I’m asked. Within a few minutes, the three of us are sitting around the kitchen island with full plates of lasagna and salad.
“This is great, sis. Thanks,” Caleb says, barely covering his mouth that’s full.
“You’re welcome.” Joey laughs and hands him a napkin.
“It’s delicious,” I agree.
“How was the seat?” Caleb asks her.
“Perfect. You know I’d rather be in the crowd than in some stuffy suite.”
“Well, that works for now, but once people get wind that you’re my sister, that might have to change.”
“Why would they?”
“It’s not like we hide the fact. Besides, it’s only a matter of time until Daddy Dearest summons you to sit with Candi in the suite.”
“Ugh. I’m going to have to call in reinforcements for that one.” Joey laughs.
“Reinforcements?” I ask.
“Yeah, my best friend, Taylor. Dad loves her, and she’s a great buffer with anyone.”
“How is Taylor? It’s been ages since I’ve seen her,” Caleb asks.
“She’s doing well. She’s busy working, giving me a hard time for not coming to visit more.”
“She’s a paralegal, right?” Caleb asks.
“Yes. She works a ton of hours but still finds the time to give me shit.”
“Sounds like Taylor.” Caleb chuckles.
“Have you seen her? Since you’ve been here?” I insert myself into the conversation.
“No. However, she did call me on my way to the stadium, and we’re going to get together this week.”
“Invite her here. I know you hate going out and risking being seen and then dealing with Dad or, even worse, your mom.” Caleb shudders.
“Yeah, I just might do that. Maybe I’ll have her over for dinner one night.”
“We have an away game this Sunday. Cincinnati. You coming?” Caleb asks.
“I wasn’t planning on it. Did you want me to?”
“You know that I do. I don’t get to see you enough as it is.”
Tell me about it. “I have family coming to Cincinnati. You could sit with them,” I offer.
“Is Momma Williams going to be there?” Caleb asks. “Wait, more importantly, is she making us her peanut butter cookies?” There is an almost desperate plea to his question.
“Yeah, Mom will be there. I can put in an order for cookies, but you might want to call her yourself to get an extra couple of dozen. I don’t plan on sharing,” I warn him.