Page 9 of Run the Play (Nashville Rampage #2)

Chapter Five

L andry

“It’s a good thing you didn’t choose golf as a career,” I tease Foster. We just finished a round of eighteen holes of golf, and he came in last. None of us are stellar golfers, but last place gets to be the butt of the jokes for the day. That’s how we roll.

“You wish you were as agile as me on the field,” Foster quips.

“I mean, I’m the lead blocker,” Baker tells him.

“Here we go again,” Reid says, laughing. “The age-old debate of running back versus halfbacks. They’re the same damn position,” Reid argues.

“No, they’re not,” Baker and Foster reply in unison.

“Guys, guys, guys.” Knox raises his hands in the air. “Sure, the league doesn’t differentiate much anymore between the two positions, but as the players on the field, we know the difference in each role. We get it. Not all running backs are halfbacks, but all halfbacks are running backs.”

“Basically, it’s complicated,” I say. “You know, like Baker’s baby momma situation,” I say, teasing. Baker has complained most of the day about Natasha and their plan to co-parent the baby while she’s living with her longtime on-again, off-again boyfriend.

“Fuck,” Baker says. “She’s complicated as hell. How is this my life?”

“At least she’s not trying to trap you into a relationship,” Reid offers.

“I don’t know what’s worse. My pregnant one-night stand and her now on-again longtime boyfriend helping me raise my kid, or her trying to trap me into a loveless relationship.”

“Everyone’s cordial. That’s the important part. That’s what’s best for your kid,” Foster says.

“Yeah, man, I know, but fuck, she’s calling me every day asking what I think about the nursery, and names, and if I remember her appointments.

While I appreciate the effort to keep me involved, a simple text message, even a long one, would suffice.

” He tugs off his ballcap and runs his fingers through his hair.

“It could be worse, Sinclair. You could be fighting to be a part of your kid’s life,” Knox tells him. “At least you know you get to see your kid and be involved. There are worse things.”

“I know.” Baker sighs. “It’s just not how I expected to become a dad. She’s been over-the-top nice about all of it, and even her boyfriend is chill, and that’s a complete mind fuck. Your girl is pregnant with another man’s baby, and you’re just fine with that?”

“That’s a tough pill to swallow. I mean, if I met a woman who was pregnant and we hit it off, I can’t see me shying away just because she’s having a baby.

Same with a single mom. However, I admit, them being on a break, and then getting back together, and her being pregnant is not something I’ve heard of before. ”

“Must be true love,” I say with a laugh.

“Come on. Let’s all head back to my place. The pool table was delivered, and I installed the projection screen in the basement media room. It’s going to be great for tape.”

“So you copied my house. Damn, Beckett, I knew you loved me, but this is getting out of control. First, you married my sister. Then you bought a house in my neighborhood. Now you’re making your house look like mine?

Does my sister know you have an infatuation with her brother? ” I ask, barely holding my smile.

“Fuck off.” Knox laughs, pushing at my shoulder. “Come on. The wife and her friends are still out shopping. We’ll order some food or something. What else do you have to do?”

“Food you say? I’m in.” Grabbing my clubs, I take off at a fast-paced walk toward my truck, with my friends’ laughter trailing behind me.

“I’ll admit, this is pretty sweet,” I tell Knox. He’s just finished showing us the media room and the recreation area in the basement.

“Thanks, Corie helped,” he says, beaming a smile.

If it wasn’t my little sister who was making him a love-sick fool, I’d give him shit.

“What are you feeding me?” I ask.

“I could definitely eat,” Reid speaks up just as Knox’s phone rings.

“Hey, babe,” he answers.

I pretend to gag, sticking my finger down my throat, and he rolls his eyes while Reid laughs. Baker, he’s too lost in his baby-mama drama, and let’s be honest, Foster is broody on the best of days.

“Do you mind bringing home extra of whatever you all decide to stop and get?”

“Lots of it, little sister!” I call out.

“I’m starving, baby Reynolds!” Reid shouts.

“Corie Beckett,” Knox corrects him.

“I’m starving, Mrs. Beckett!” Reid corrects, even louder this time. Knox nods his approval, his face lighting up with a smile. My boy is completely gone for my little sister. It’s still weird to see, but I genuinely am happy for them.

Knox listens to Corie on the other end of the line and chuckles. “Thanks, Corie girl. Love you. Be safe,” he says, ending the call. “My wife is on her way home. They’re picking up dinner.”

Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out my wallet. “How much do you need?”

“I don’t know what she’s getting, but it doesn’t matter. Dinner’s on me tonight.”

“I knew we kept you around for a reason,” Baker teases.

“Daddy Sinclair, you have a kid to send to college. Time to start saving the pennies,” I tease him.

“I’ve got some time before that happens,” Baker says.

I’m glad to see that he’s able to joke about his situation. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, right? Sure, it might be sour, but with time, you’ll learn how to sweeten it up.

“Have you heard anything else about Conner Johnson?” Foster asks.

“No. He’s been lying low. I can’t see how clients are still signing with him.”

“We did,” Foster says. He grumbles something low under his breath that I don’t catch, and I’m sure it’s something to do with his hatred for the man who almost ruined his career.

“Yeah,” Knox agrees. “Almost ruined both of our careers.”

Something passes over Foster’s features, but the look is locked down before I can get a read on him.

There’s definitely something from his past that he’s not talking about.

That’s fine. He’ll tell us when he’s ready.

He’s the quietest out of all of us. He dates the least. In fact, it’s been years since I’ve seen him even so much as flirt with a woman.

My good buddy has been flying low under the radar, and one of these days, he’s going to have to make a landing and let us know what’s going on.

He previously signed with Conner Johnson, just as Knox had right out of college. Conner, the asshole agent, also happens to be my sister’s ex-boyfriend. He caused some drama with Knox and Corie, but everything worked out as it was supposed to. Thankfully.

“He’s going to crash and burn one of these days,” Reid says, just as we hear commotion upstairs.

“Food’s here!” I take off running for the steps, and I don’t have to look back to know that the guys are right behind me.

We reach the kitchen to find Corie, Sloane, and Rowan unpacking food.

I see boxes of wings, fries, onion rings, and a stack of individual salads.

I’m sure those are for Knox’s benefit, but he has loosened up since marrying my sister.

He’s not as strict on his diet and workout routine as he used to be during the offseason.

He still kicks it into high gear during the season, at least he was.

I guess we’ll see in a few months if that’s changed as well.

“Thanks, Corie girl,” Knox says, pulling Corie into his arms and kissing her.

“Urgh, I’m getting ready to eat. I don’t need to see all that,” I say, placing my hand over my eyes.

“Tough shit,” Knox says, kissing her again. My sister giggles, and damn, I love seeing her this happy. I also truly love that it’s my best friend who makes her giggle like a schoolgirl, but I’m still going to give them shit. We’re family. That’s what we do.

“Wing me, Roe,” I tell Rowan, holding my empty paper plate out to her. She smiles and places a few wings on my plate.

“Good?” she asks.

“Keep ’em coming,” I tell her. “I’m a growing boy, after all.”

“What he really means is that he’s a human garbage disposal where food is concerned,” Corie tells her.

“And here I thought Corie ordered too much food,” Rowan replies, adding several more wings to my plate.

“Thank you, my lady.” I nod at her and move on down the line, adding some onion rings and fries before grabbing a bottle of Gatorade out of the fridge and plopping my ass down on the floor in the living room, leaning against one of the recliners to make sure there’s room for everyone else to sit.

I’m halfway through my plate before everyone joins us. Rowan and Sloane are the final two. Sloane takes the recliner Reid is leaning up against, and Rowan hesitates to take the one I’m using to prop myself up. I nod, and she gives me a shy smile before taking a seat.

The next thing I know, there’s a napkin dangling in front of my face. “You look like you could use this,” Rowan says.

“Thanks.” I lean into her leg as a thank-you as well, but the warmth of her skin against my bare shoulder in this sleeveless shirt sends tingles down my spine. I freeze mid-bite of my onion ring and let the feeling wash over me.

It’s new.

I should move away, but my gut is telling me that would be a mistake, so I finish off my food with my shoulder pressed to her leg and let my mind race with how it would feel to be wrapped up in her softness.

Rowan is gorgeous, and it’s not hard to conjure up that fantasy.

When my cock starts to get on board, I push all inappropriate thoughts to the back of my mind.

Baby goats. They’ve been all over my social media lately. I need to think about baby goats or my stats from last season. Eventually, the problem goes away, and I heave a sigh of relief as I finish off my plate.

“So, Corie, did you spend all your husband’s money today or what?” I ask my sister.

“No, but I did spend some of mine.”

“Why not?” Knox asks her.

Corie rolls her eyes. “I have my own money.”

I watch as my best friend-turned-brother-in-law pouts, just as I knew he would. “Gave you a card for a reason,” he grumbles.