Page 13

THIRTEEN

LOGAN

I was losing my goddamn mind.

My hands scrubbed across my face as I watched MJ saunter back to Kenny the Close Talker.

Man, fuck that guy .

Every time Kenny leaned closer, my fists clenched tighter. He had no idea how far out of his league he was. And he sure as hell didn’t deserve her attention.

I watched MJ like an unhinged stalker until she sat at the table. When she scooted her chair ever so slightly away from Kenny, I grinned.

Good girl.

Wyatt was waiting for me when I returned to our table. He watched me closely, and I wondered if he caught on to the fact that I’d all but chased after MJ King and cornered her in a dark hallway.

“Sorry about that,” I said, clearing my throat. “Where were we?”

If Wyatt had noticed, he didn’t let on. “My senior running back Seth won’t shut up about you. I think that pickup game on the beach altered his brain chemistry.”

I chuckled. “They were good kids. I was surprised he even knew who I was, to be honest.”

Wyatt lifted a shoulder. “You’re a big name, and not just in this small town. A lot of people will be watching what you do once you transition out of the sport.”

“Out?” I sat straighter. “What do you mean by out ?”

His hands rose. “I didn’t mean any offense. I’m sure you’ve got a lot of solid years ahead of you ... but I know from experience that it pays to start thinking about what comes next.”

Next?

The only thing I needed to focus on next was the upcoming match. I couldn’t get into my own head about the upcoming season, let alone retirement.

Wyatt nodded as if he knew exactly what was running through my mind. He had been an NFL quarterback, so maybe he knew a little about how I was feeling.

Didn’t mean I had to like it. The truth was, I didn’t let myself think about it too hard, because rugby was all I knew. There was never a plan B.

My jaw tightened. My eyes flicked to MJ, and my annoyance multiplied.

Our server quietly placed the black server book on the table, and I swiped it. “I got it,” I said to Wyatt as he reached for his wallet.

He held out his hand. “I asked you to this dinner. I’m paying.”

I flipped my credit card into the black leather folder and balanced it on the edge of the table. “Not a chance. Although you never did get to the point.”

Wyatt laughed. “I tried. All I am saying is if you’re looking for something beyond rugby one day, call me. The football program at MMU could use a coach like you. They could learn a lot.”

I scoffed and sat back. “Coaching? Football?” It was ludicrous. “While I appreciate your faith in me, that’s never going to happen.”

Wyatt and I stood and he offered his hand, his grin easy but his tone firm. “There are all kinds of ways to stay in the game, man. You don’t have to hang up your cleats completely. Hell, you’ve probably got a dozen ideas already.”

I let out a dry laugh.

“You’ve got time to figure it out. Just never say never, my friend. Take it from someone who lived it—one day, you’ll want to be part of something that lasts longer than a season. Coaching could be that thing.”

We shook and Wyatt left the table. I glanced over to where MJ had been sitting with Annie, Lee, and Captain Creeper. Their table was empty.

My attention flew to just beyond the restaurant window. MJ was bundled up against the cold fall air, and my vision narrowed in on the way Kenny’s hand ran dangerously close to her ass.

That hand had no business being anywhere near her, and every nerve in my body screamed to do something about it. Kenny didn’t deserve to be near her—not when I could tell she was just being polite.

My molars ground together as they disappeared down the sidewalk.

The server processed our check at the table, and I quickly signed the slip before tucking the credit card back into my wallet.

I hated thinking about what may come after my rugby career ended—almost as much as I hated not knowing if MJ was headed home or if the group would extend their date after dinner.

The thought gnawed at me.

My feet were moving before I could talk myself out of it. I exited the restaurant, looking around the sidewalk to see whether I could spot their group. When I couldn’t, I immediately headed in the direction of her house.

Sure, I’d subtly coerced my grandfather to confirm that she lived at the King estate.

That wasn’t creepy at all.

And checking up on her was simply to make sure she’d gotten home safely.

Besides, it was what a friend would do.

MJ and her friends had left before me, and I circled the block but didn’t see any cars I recognized at the Grudge.

Shit. Maybe he’d taken her straight home .

I broke nearly every speed limit on the drive to the King estate. The long, winding driveway was dark, but I pressed on. Finally, the mansion came into view, and it took my breath away. The house was opulent and oppressive. It screamed ostentatious in a way that was at odds with how down to earth MJ was.

I parked with a screeching halt, just as Kenny was approaching his car.

I exited my car, and his eyes went wide. “No shit. Logan Brown? Oh, man.”

He held out his hand, and I gripped his with far more force than necessary. I didn’t like this guy from the moment I saw him, and his cocky grin didn’t help.

“Great to meet you, man.” He looked back at MJ’s house. “What are you doing here?”

I didn’t answer but just stared.

“Uh, well ...” he stammered. “You were amazing in the Olympics—a real killer on the field. Think I can get an autograph?”

My voice was hard. “No.”

He blinked at me. I had no idea why I was being such a prick, but I wasn’t about to give him a goddamn autograph after I had to watch him paw at MJ all evening.

I stepped forward. “Listen to me. That girl in there ...” I pointed over his shoulder to the house. “If I find out you hurt her, you make her uncomfortable, you so much as make her a little bit sad, you’ll be answering to me.”

Kenny took a step back. “Chill, bro. I was hoping for an easy lay, but she’s practically frigid. I didn’t touch her—not that she’d be worth the effort.”

My fists clenched, and a low growl formed in my throat. “Get in your car— now —and get the fuck out of here. Bro. ”

With a confused eye roll, Kenny disappeared into his car. I didn’t bother watching him leave and instead took the front steps to MJ’s house two at a time.

My fist pounded on the door to her home.

“Kenny, I—” MJ swung open the massive oak door, and the annoyed words died on her tongue. She blinked once. “What are you doing here?”

I crossed my arms. “How was your date, Julep?”

Her eyes narrowed on me as she crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway. Her gray cardigan slipped over one shoulder as her tits were pushed higher, and it made it impossible to think clearly. My eyes betrayed me, flicking to the curve of her collarbone, the soft rise of her chest. The thin fabric did fuck-all to hide the fact that her nipples were hard and pressing against the soft fabric.

Taunting me.

Goddamn it, Julep.

“What are you, jealous?” she asked with a snort, and the question immediately pissed me off. “Because if you’re going to play caveman, at least commit to the role and grunt or something.”

Of course I was jealous.

I knew I had absolutely no right to be. MJ had dated my best friend, and there was clearly some history there. Not to mention she was a distraction of the worst kind—the tempting kind. The kind of distraction that made you forget all the years you’d worked, and suddenly you’d be happy to throw it all away just to see her smile every morning.

I ground my teeth together, refusing to answer her question.

Her eyes rolled because she could sense I was acting like a child.

“My dinner is none of your business, Logan.” She straightened, ready to shut the door on my face.

Anger and frustration coursed through me. The woman in front of me was goddamn infuriating. My hand planted on the door, not letting her get away so easily.

She sighed. “What? You have a big important match coming up and you need a little lucky mojo?” Her words dripped with sarcasm. She shoved an arm in my direction. “Here. Rub my arm for good luck or whatever it is you think you need from me.”

My brows furrowed. She had no clue what this was about. Hell, neither did I.

When I didn’t make a move, MJ shook her head with a laugh. “Okay, good night, Logan.” She pushed the door closed, and a pit opened in my stomach.

I should’ve left. That was what a sane man would do. But as I stared at the closed door, the thought of walking away felt impossible. Like losing a game I hadn’t even started playing.

Oh, hell no.

My fist rose as I pounded on the door.

The door didn’t move. My fist hit harder this time, rattling the heavy oak. “Julep,” I said, my voice low and firm.

I wasn’t leaving until she opened this goddamn door.