Page 16

Chapter Nine

K nox

It’s hotter than Satan’s ball sac out here today. It’s been a long week of practices and game film. Our first preseason game is next week, and Coach Warner has been kicking our ass in practice, making sure we’re ready.

The whistle blows, and Coach bellows, “Hit the showers!” and the entire fucking team sighs with relief.

I rip off my helmet and shake the sweat out of my hair as we all move as a collective unit toward the locker room. I grab a couple of bottles of water on the table set up for us and plop down in front of my locker, draining one and then the other.

“I think it’s hotter this year than years past,” Foster complains.

“Nah, you’re just getting old,” Landry taunts him.

Foster Vaughn is a halfback and the quietest of our little group. He’s also the oldest of the five of us, only one year older than Landry. Landry likes to make sure he reminds Foster of that fact often.

Landry is twenty-nine, and we played college ball together. He’s two years older than me. Reid is one year older than me, and Baker and I are the same age. We’re all within three years of age with one another, but Landry still likes to give Foster shit about being old.

It’s what we do.

“One fucking year, Reynolds.” Foster laughs, chucking an empty water bottle at Landry’s head. He dodges it with ease.

“What are we doing tonight?” Reid asks.

“Eating and sitting my ass on the couch,” Baker tells him. “I’m exhausted.”

“It’s Friday night,” Landry counters. “We’re young, attractive males. We need to mingle with the ladies.”

“Too fucking tired to mingle,” Foster tells him, holding up his hand. “One year older,” he says before Landry can make another old man joke at his expense.

“We can chill at my place,” I offer. It’s not where I want to be tonight, but where I need to be.

I would have preferred that Landry invite us to his place, but it’s better this way.

Separation from his little sister is what I need.

We were supposed to play poker, but we’re all too drained, so we decided against it.

“You don’t have a pool,” Landry complains.

“I have a pool.”

“Not a private one. We have to share it with everyone else that lives in your building,” Landry points out.

“You’re the only one with a house and a private pool,” Baker speaks up. “I guess we’re headed to your place.”

Landry shrugs. “Let me text Corie and make sure she doesn’t have plans for the house.”

He grabs his phone and fires off a text.

A few minutes later, he’s telling us to be at his place at six.

I wonder if that means Corie won’t be there or that she will.

I want her to be, but I need her not to be.

It’s confusing as hell, but even though I need to keep my distance, I’ll be there, hoping to see her.

Landry would be pissed if he knew that’s my main reason for going.

If not for his little sister, I’d be passing and sitting at home on the couch, nursing my sore muscles before we start again next week.

“Bring beer and whatever else. I’ll toss some chicken on the grill.” Landry sticks his tongue out at me. “Does that make you happy, Captain?” he teases.

“Yeah, but easy on the beer. The first game of the preseason is next week,” I remind him. Not that I need to. We’re all well aware of the schedule and that the season is about to kick off.

“Yeah, yeah,” Landry grumbles. “We’ll take it easy.”

“Fuck, I stink,” I say, standing from my chair and grabbing what I need for my shower. I’m ready to wash off the evidence of today’s practice and head home.

Twenty minutes later, I’m showered and ready to leave.

I grab my bag to head out to my truck when my phone rings.

I smile when my sister Everly’s name flashes across the screen.

I sometimes lose reception walking toward the parking garage, so I sit down and answer the call, waving to the guys to go on without me. “Sister,” I greet her.

“Brother, how are you?”

“Good. I just finished up practice and was getting ready to go home. How’s wedding planning?”

“Good. We’re pretty much done. Matt and I both wanted simple, so it was easy to plan. Now, we just wait for the right time to send the invitations. Emma and Mom, as well as Matt’s mom, have been incredible with helping me get everything done.”

“I thought you already sent invitations? Or was I just the lucky one who got one early?”

“That was a save the date. It’s basically an advance notice to let people know when the wedding is and to expect an invitation.”

“Really?”

Everly laughs. “Yes, really. It’s a thing, trust me. If you ever find someone who can put up with you for longer than a night, you might need to know these things.”

“It’s more like if I find someone I can put up with for longer than one night.” I chuckle. Instantly, images of Corie pop into my head. She’s the first woman who’s been able to hold my attention for longer than a few hours. It figures it would be the one woman on the planet I can’t pursue.

“Well, can you get on that? Please and thank you. I’d love to be an aunt.”

“What about Matt’s brother?” I ask her. “And Emma, she’s young, but don’t count her out. Why does all the pressure land on me?”

“Meh, he’s a confirmed bachelor for life. Honestly, I think someone broke his heart in his younger years, and he’s sworn off relationships ever since. That’s not you, though, right?” She laughs. “And Emma is too young.”

I smile. Emma is only two years younger than Everly, at twenty-three. Old enough to have babies, but young enough that there is plenty of time to think about that later. “That’s not me. I’m not looking, but I’m not afraid to keep her once I find her.”

“Knox,” she whines. “How will you find her to keep her if you’re not looking?”

“I guess I assume it will work out as it did for Mom and Dad, as well as you and Matt. When the right person comes along, I’ll know. I don’t want to force it.”

“Ugh, but you should still be putting yourself out there.”

“Maybe after the season’s over.”

“Yeah, right,” she mutters. “You say that every year.”

“My schedule is insane, Ev, you know that. It’s going to take a strong woman to deal with the media, being in the press all the damn time, and then my schedule and travel. If we have kids, she’s doing it on her own.”

“We’ll help.”

“You live two hours away.”

“Exactly. Just a short drive to be there for my sister-in-law and nieces and nephews.”

“You’re putting the cart before the horse, sister.” I laugh.

“I’m really happy, Knox. I have what our parents have, and I want that for you and Emma, too.”

“One day,” I tell her. I want that, too.

I want that one person in life who is in your corner no matter what.

I grew up around healthy, loving relationships.

I know how they work. Maybe I’m just picky, but with my career, I have to be careful.

I don’t want to end up with the wrong person.

When I get married, that’s it. She’s it. I want to do it right the first time.

“Fine, I’ll let you go. I really just wanted to call and say hi and tell you I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. You’re coming to the game next week, right? I know Mom, Dad, and Emma are coming.”

“Yep. We’re all going to be there.”

“Everyone?” I ask, excited to see my family.

“Yeah. I don’t know if all the cousins can make it, but all the parentals will be there.”

“Nice. Okay, I’ll see you next week.”

“Love you, brother.”

“Love you, too, sister.” I end the call, standing and sliding the phone into the pocket of my sweats, and make my way out of the locker room.

I’m stoked that my parents, sisters, future brother-in-law, pseudo aunts and uncles, and real aunt and uncle are coming to the game.

I hope the cousins, who are obviously not all cousins by blood, can make it, too.

I spent a week at my parents' place in June, but it’s now the middle of August, and I miss them.

Pushing open the door that leads to the employee and player parking lot, I’m cursing myself for not grabbing my sunglasses out of my truck this morning before going inside.

It was still dusk when I arrived at the stadium for my morning workout before the team started, so I didn’t need them.

However, the late afternoon sun is shining bright now.

I’m almost to my truck when someone calls out my name. Turning, I squint, holding my hand over the top of my eyes to shield the sun, and see a dark-haired angel rushing toward me. As Corie gets closer, it’s obvious she’s not going to stop, so I drop my bag and brace myself.

She launches herself at me, and I catch her with ease. My hands grip the backs of her thighs while she wraps her arms around my neck. I don’t know what’s going on, but she was grinning as she ran to me, so I’m guessing she got the job.

“What’s up, Corie girl?” I ask her.

Her smile is blinding. “I got it, Knox! I got the job!” She yells so loud that I’m pretty sure Landry heard her at his place fifteen minutes away.

“Hell yes, you did. There was never a doubt in my mind.”

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” She rushes to say it and then shocks us both when she presses a kiss on my lips.

It’s a quick peck. Any other woman and I’d think nothing of it, but this isn’t just any woman. This is Corie, the one woman who is always there, lingering in the back of my mind, at least the last couple of months.

“Sorry,” she says sheepishly.

I don’t say anything because I can’t. My cock is hard because Corie is in my arms, and she kissed me. Her soft lips collided with mine, and accidental or not, I can’t forget that it happened.