Page 14 of Personal Foul (The San Diego Storm #3)

She ran her hand over my shoulder, then squeezed. “Then apologize, son. More than once if you need to. If he’s going to be your teammate, you’ve got to make it right as soon as possible.”

I nodded and dropped my head. “Easier said than done.”

She leaned in to pat my leg just as the back door opened and Bella came bounding in. I looked up to find my father all smiles, with Colin.

“Look who I found,” he said, putting his arm around Colin’s shoulders. “We’ve been having a nice chat about rugby.”

I stood and forced a smile. “Good.” I turned to my mother. “Colin, this is my mother, Elizabeth St. James, and you’ve met my father, George. Mom and Dad, meet Colin Kearney.”

My mother got up and went to him. But rather than shaking his hand, she decided to give him a mom hug. “It’s so nice to meet you finally, Colin. Welcome to America. I hope Carson has made you feel at home.”

His eyes met mine, causing my stomach to cramp, before returning his attention to her.

“It’s nice to meet you. And he’s done exactly that, ma’am.” He winked at me and smiled. “He’s been very welcoming.”

My eyes widened as my father slapped me on the back. “Good to hear. That’s how we raised him.”

“So Colin,” my mother said, wrapping her arm through his, “are you excited about your new career in San Diego? Have you met any of your teammates yet?”

He gave her his charming smile. “Uh, no ma’am. Not yet. We’ve been a bit busy since I arrived. Carson has been teaching me about football and other important matters. Like the rules. I’m eager to start meeting them tomorrow.”

My face must have been nearing sunburn status after his words.

“That’s understandable,” she added. “Have you acquired an agent here?”

He shook his head. “No, ma’am. Not yet.”

“Well, if you need someone to review your contract, George and I are both licensed attorneys.”

Colin’s jaw muscles flexed as he smiled tightly down at her. “Mr. Carlisle was going to recommend someone when I arrived. This adventure is one I undertook on my own. No agent required.”

“We’d be happy to give it a go. Since you’re living here with Carson, that makes you part of our extended family. Carson’s friends are like our children.”

Staring at him, I studied Colin’s reactions for any type of clues about him. But I was caught daydreaming again, this time by my father.

“Carson, do you think the legal department could send it over today?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, Dad. That’s his call, not mine. I’m not his keeper.”

Colin’s jaw tightened again, making me wonder what I’d said this time. An almost smile crossed his lips as he turned to my father. “I would be very appreciative, sir.”

By the end of the afternoon, my father had a copy of Colin’s proposed contract to review as the three of them sat by the pool. I sulked around inside the house, claiming I had some last-minute things to do before we left.

I didn’t.

I just needed some space to get my head on straight.

My mother found me lying on my bed, scrolling on my phone. I looked up into her knowing eyes as she sat down on the edge of my bed.

“Are you okay? Don’t you want to join us outside?”

I put my phone down on the mattress and smiled at her. “I’m just relaxing before the chaos of training camp.”

She patted my calf. “You like him.”

Frowning, I was ready to deny whatever she thought she knew. But I was exhausted from everything and trying to meet all the expectations others had of me.

I shrugged. “Yeah, he’s a nice guy. He’ll fit in with the rest of the team.”

The head tilt and smile confirmed my suspicions. “That’s not what I meant. But just so you know, when the time is right, your father and I are going to love whoever you love.”

I diverted my eyes from her, not ready to have this conversation when I was so raw from yesterday. So I changed the subject.

“What would you like for dinner? There’s a new Mexican place that just opened. The food is exceptionally fresh. It’s all local, I think. There’s a big initiative for local sourcing with all the agriculture in the area.”

“That sounds good,” she chuckled. “But why are you avoiding my question? I’m on your side.”

I examined the paint on my ceiling before I gave in. “It doesn’t matter what I want. He’s my teammate.”

She patted my leg. “I understand, but you deserve to be happy, son.”

I turned to her. “What makes you think I’m not? I have everything I could want here. I love what I do, and I date occasionally. I’ve got Bella and my friends. I’m good. I promise. Could we just drop it?”

She nodded but gave me the look that said she knew better. I hated that she could read me so well.

“Okay. Then I’m going back out by the pool.”

My mother stood, then leaned down to kiss the top of my head. “Come down soon. We’d like to spend time with you.”

The left side of my mouth inched up in a smile. “Yes ma’am, okay.”

Half an hour later, I went down to sit with them by the pool. They were in deep conversation about the growth of rugby in the US.

Colin glanced over at me, then turned back to carry on with my father.

Thank god my mother intervened.

“I’m hungry. Carson and I were discussing dinner and thought we’d get Mexican food. Is that okay with the two of you?”

“Sounds good to me,” Colin replied. “All we’ve managed is pizza since I’ve arrived. We’ve been busy with football things.”

My face heated.

“I’ll get the menu,” I said, popping up out of the chair. It fell backward and made a big racket.

Colin raised a brow as I picked up the chair. “Need some help?”

“Nope. I’ve got it.”

I speed walked into the kitchen, making a fool out of myself, but returned quickly.

That was the last embarrassing moment of the evening for me. We enjoyed a casual dinner out by the pool as my nerves settled.

When the evening ended, my parents went inside, while I took Bella for one last walk. Carson headed to the pool house, but I caught him before he closed the door. “Hey, I’m, uh… sorry about all the questions.”

He smiled as he noticed the windows where the lights had just turned on. “Your parents are fantastic, Carson. You’re extremely lucky to have them. And I don’t mind their questions.”

There were a million things I wanted to know about his family, but when he turned his attention back toward Allister, I knew he wasn’t in the mood to talk.

“I’ll see you in the morning, eh?”

I nodded. “Yes. In the morning.”

Colin held my gaze, causing my heart to thump, then closed the door.