Page 3 of Run the Play (Nashville Rampage #2)

“All right, party peeps, it’s time to shake things up,” I call out.

All heads turn toward us, and I can feel Rowan shrink into herself beside me.

I lean down to whisper, “Go gather your girls. We’re about to tear this dance floor up.

” On impulse, I peck a kiss to her cheek, hoping no one is still watching before I drop my hand from her back and make my way to the DJ booth.

“Hey, my man, we need some electric slide, what’s it called again? ‘Electric Boogie’?” I ask him. He grins with a nod and starts clicking buttons. “Can I borrow that?” I point to the microphone.

“Sure.” He nods again, handing me the mic.

“Hello, lovely ladies and gents.” I flash a megawatt grin.

“You already gave your speech!” Foster hollers.

“Oh, my friend, this is better than the speeches. The lovely Rowan has laid down a challenge, and I have accepted on our behalf.”

“That’s not true!” Rowan calls out. She’s standing with Sloane and Corie, and her shoulders are shaking with laughter.

“Oh, it’s true. Boys, we must show her our line dancing skills immediately.”

“Oh, hell yes!” Reid responds. He’s on his feet and moving to the center of the dance floor.

“Knox, can you tear yourself away from your new bride long enough to dazzle her with your skills?” I call him out.

“I don’t want to make you look bad!” Knox shouts back.

This time, I’m the one with my shoulders shaking with laughter. “Get out here, brother.” I watch as he nods, stands from his seat, moves to where Corie is standing with the girls, kisses her softly, and then takes his place next to Reid on the dance floor.

“Foster, Baker, get your asses out here.” I hand the mic back to the DJ and join them.

We all stand in a line as the song starts to play. We begin to move, and the crowd cheers us on. Every time I’m facing the ladies, I make sure to check on Rowan. She’s laughing and smiling, and my chest expands with something I can’t name.

We’re about halfway through when everyone joins us.

There isn’t a single person in attendance at this wedding who’s not on the dance floor showing off their electric slide moves.

When the song ends and rolls into another fast beat, we all stay on the floor, laughing, dancing, and celebrating two of my favorite humans on the planet.

“Where did you learn those moves?” Rowan asks. She’s just taken the seat next to mine, handing me a bottle of beer, and taps the necks of our bottles.

“Honestly, I don’t remember. I just know the guys and I practiced for an entire day to get in sync for a social media video for the Rampage. It went viral.”

“That’s awesome.” Rowan smiles, taking a long pull of her beer.

“What about you?”

“I’m sure it was some high school dance or something like that. I didn’t attend a ton of parties in college. I was too busy getting my degree. I was determined to make something of myself.”

“And here you are. Working for a professional football team. I’d say you made it, Roe.”

“There were times when I wasn’t so sure,” she says, staring off into the distance.

Reaching over, I take her hand and give it a soft squeeze. “You made it. You’re here. You earned this.”

She smiles. “Thanks, Landry.”

I drop her hand and lean back in my chair. My hand suddenly feels cold, which is weird.

“I’m beat,” Sloane says, sitting in a chair across the table from us.

“What’s going on over here?” Corie asks. She pulls out a chair, but Knox beats her to it, sitting and pulling her onto his lap.

“The family couldn’t hang,” he tells my sister, as Reid, Baker, and Foster also join us. We’re all that’s left of the reception. The DJ is packing up, and the cleaning crew is starting to descend.

“Thank you all for being here,” Corie says, leaning into Knox, who has his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. “Today was hard, missing our parents.” Her eyes find mine. “But all of you being here helped ease the ache. We’re so incredibly lucky to have you in our lives.”

I swallow back the emotion clogging my throat. Our parents would be so fucking proud of her. “Love you, little sister,” I tell her. My voice cracks, but I don’t bother to hide it.

Tears well in her eyes. “Love you, too, big brother.” She gives me a watery smile before closing her eyes, and inhaling. When she opens them, the sadness lingers, but happiness overshines it. “Tomorrow is our last day.” She pouts. “How about breakfast together, and a beach day?”

We all call our agreement. Knox and Corie were going to stay longer—at least he tried to convince her to, but she said she wanted to get back to work. She loves her job with the Rampage, and after almost losing it, she’s been even more faithful to the team.

“I think I’m calling it a night,” Sloane says over a yawn.

“I’ll walk you back to your room,” Foster says, standing and offering her his hand to help her to her feet.

“My wife and I have some celebrating to do,” Knox says, kissing Corie’s neck before she stands, hugs Sloane, and moves around the table to hug Rowan.

I make my way toward Knox and pull him into a hug. “Love you, brother,” I say, my voice tight.

“Love you, too, man. I’ll take care of her.”

“I know you will.” There isn’t a single doubt in my mind.

“Landry, will you make sure Rowan gets to her room?” Corie asks me.

“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Rowan speaks up.

“Yes, it is,” everyone says at the same time.

“We’re in a foreign country,” Reid tells her.

“It’s late,” Baker adds.

“I’m afraid you’re outnumbered.” Sloane laughs. “But they’re right. It’s better safe than sorry.”

Rowan nods. “Thank you, Landry.”

I use that as an excuse to touch her. I place my hand gently on the small of her back, and we wave as I lead her out of the reception hall.

“It was a beautiful wedding,” Rowan says.

“Yeah,” I agree.

The rest of the way to her room is quiet. I don’t take my hand off the small of her back, and when we reach her door, I fight the urge to ask her to take a midnight stroll with me.

“Thank you for escorting me, the conversation, and walking me back,” Rowan says, peering up at me under dark lashes.

She’s in a royal blue spaghetti strap dress that makes her blue eyes pop. Her light hair, which has been pulled back, is falling around her face from all the dancing we’ve done tonight.

“I’ll see you at breakfast, then beach day,” I remind her.

“I’ll be there.”

“Make sure you lock the door behind you.”

That has her lips tilting in a soft smile. “I will. Goodnight, Landry.”

I can’t help myself. I lean in and press my lips to her forehead. “Goodnight, Roe.” I wait for her to unlock her door and slip inside. I don’t leave until I hear the lock engage, then make the lonely trek back to my room and take a quick shower to wash off the day.