Guarding Sophie by Julie Brannagh Page B

hadn’t stayed at the inn last night, they were sticking large-denomination bills into the servers’ hands to pay for their breakfasts. He accepted a cup of coffee from the woman serving and sat down at Drew McCoy’s table.
    â€œWhere were you last night?” Drew said. “We played poker.”
    â€œDo you have any money left?” Kyle asked.
    â€œIt’s a good thing my wife has a job,” Drew said.
    â€œShii-yeeeet. He cleaned everyone else out,” Derrick said.
    â€œWhere’s your wife?”
    â€œStill sleeping. And she’s going to sleep as long as she wants. Directly after that, she’s going to go get a pedicure with the women and lay out by the pool with Megan Reed. She’s carrying my child. That’s enough work,” Derrick said.
    Seth Taylor leaned over from a table farther away. “Does she know you weighed almost eleven pounds when you were born?”
    â€œHell no. And we’re not discussing that with her, are we? We’re getting a little running in this morning instead.” Derrick pointed at his plate, which was heaped with small, puffed pancakes drizzled with syrup. “Gotta run off these applesk—what the hell are they called?”
    â€œAbleskivers,” Seth Taylor called out. “I need one of those pans so I can make them at home.”
    â€œYou don’t cook,” Zach said.
    â€œOh, yes I do. Jillian loves it when I cook for her.” Seth tried to hide his smile behind one hand.
    The other men, who were shoveling in food as quickly as it appeared in front of them, nodded and grunted.
    Kade Harrison glanced up from his breakfast. “You never told us where you were last night.”
    â€œWhy the hell would you care?” Kyle asked.
    â€œIt’s always good to be in the know,” Kade said. He took a swig of orange juice.
    â€œSophie was tired, so we both hit the sack.”
    Zach Anderson glanced in Kyle’s direction and raised one eyebrow, but didn’t comment. Thirty men were silent for a minute or so.
    â€œSophie, hmm?” Tom Reed said.
    Kyle had been battling for playing time with Jeff, another wide receiver, since the moment he got off the plane in Seattle. Jeff gave him a nod.
    â€œI talked to her a little last night. Nice lady, Carlson.” He stared into Kyle’s eyes. “Don’t fuck it up.”
    Hoots of laughter and applause rang out from Kyle’s teammates.
    â€œSo, who bet with Carlson this season, besides me?” Caleb asked nobody in particular.
    â€œHe’s into it for big money,” Terrell told the room. “ Big money.”
    â€œI knew her in high school. It’s nothing serious,” Kyle said.
    This brought on even louder laughter and fist-bumps from his teammates.
    â€œIf this keeps up, Morrison’s going to have to take it like a man and get married too. He’ll be the only one left,” Zach said.
    â€œCaleb’s still not hitched.”
    â€œMight as well be,” Caleb said. “Whitney’s the one. I’m waiting for her to graduate from college like I promised her brother, and then I’m going to propose.”
    â€œWhy don’t you pay her tuition and get married now?” Jeff said.
    Zach’s eyes narrowed. “I told my sisters that I didn’t want them to marry until they graduate from college. It’s nonnegotiable.”
    â€œOh, now it’s on,” Derrick said. “Maybe we should change the subject.”
    Kyle took another sip of coffee and cleared his throat. “So, what are you guys up to this afternoon?”
    â€œMaybe a nap,” Zach said.
    â€œReed invited us to the hotel swimming pool,” Seth said.
    â€œKendall wants to go on a hike by the river,” Drew said. “Brandon and Emily McKenna told us about it.”
    Tom Reed let out a loud bark of laughter. “You might ask them about the Cub Scout troop they met along the trail