wouldn’t have the last word.
He’d play Pete’s game, but on his own terms. He couldn’t see himself as the head of the twins’ new family, and thanks to Gracie, that wasn’t necessary. The value of Pete’s estate guaranteed the girls would never want for anything financially, and Gracie and Mary would see to their physical and emotional needs.
He had no more experience at being a big brother than he did a father, but shit, how hard could it be? Yeah, they might be girls, but kids were kids. Gifts on their birthdays and holidays were a must, but in his experience with Tom’s boys, kids were happy with the simple things. Like an occasional movie or a meal. What kid wouldn’t like a trip to the zoo or maybe a day spent sledding the hill out behind the barn? He grunted in satisfaction.
Piece of cake .
Whatever Pete’s true motivation for shoving the twins at him, Jake would have the last word and twist the situation to his advantage. He grinned.
Beginning with Gracie.
Kevin Tucker dropped into the chair in front of him, straddling it backward. Jake bit back a groan. Matching, serrated barbed wire tattoos stretched across Tuck’s thickly muscled biceps when he propped his arms on the back rest. He leaned forward. Cobalt blue eyes twinkled beneath a mop of sun-bleached blond hair. He curved his lips in a sly smile.
“Who is she?”
“She who?”
The grin widened. “The she who has you sitting here grinning like an asshole.”
Fighting back the groan grew more difficult. They’d been friends since the tough kid from South Boston was drafted in Jake’s third season. Tuck’s nose had been broken numerous times and had the prominent bump to prove it. A jagged scar bisected his right eyebrow above his crooked beak. Despite the imperfections, the ladies flocked to him. When it came to his exploits with women, Tuck was a legend. In comparison, Jake was a Boy Scout.
Which didn’t mean Jake couldn’t hold his own. In a game of friendly competition, they’d both stolen a lady love from the other on more than one occasion. The latest victory belonged to Jake, when he convinced Daphne, the underwear model Tuck escorted to a fundraiser last spring, to toss the veteran wide receiver over for a weekend in Bermuda. Tuck had been waiting seven months for the chance to retaliate.
Gracie’s gem-toned eyes, drugged with passion as she fought against the pleasure of their shared kiss, filled Jake’s mind. Not this time, buddy . I’m keeping this one to myself . “What makes you think I’m grinning over a woman?”
Tuck’s nostrils flared on a sharp laugh. “Costa has you in his crosshairs, you’ve been slapped with a bullshit fine, and every sports talker in the country is gunning for you. The fact you can still smile can mean only one thing.” He jabbed a finger toward Jake’s nose. “You’re under the influence of some damn sweet poison. Who is she?”
Jake crossed his arms and bared his teeth in a fuck you smile.
“Gentlemen. We have our work cut out for us this week.”
The chatter in the room quieted immediately as the offensive coordinator arrived. Tuck thinned his lips in a challenging smirk. “You know I’ll find out.” He spun his chair around to face the screens as the lights blinked out then spoke in a low voice over one shoulder. “By the way, next week’s poker game is at your place.”
Shit .
Chapter 10
“Thanks for the ride.” Gracie scrambled from Max’s low-slung sports car, hoping to rush inside before he could follow. She wasn’t quick enough. Thanks to his long-legged stride, he joined her before she reached the porch steps.
“Go away.” She searched her purse for her key.
“Not a chance, kiddo. This is Jake Malone we’re talking about. You don’t always think clearly when your heart’s in play. I’m here to help.”
She rolled her eyes. “My girl parts are in play, you idiot, not my heart.”
He grinned and bumped her shoulder with his. “I’ve
He’d play Pete’s game, but on his own terms. He couldn’t see himself as the head of the twins’ new family, and thanks to Gracie, that wasn’t necessary. The value of Pete’s estate guaranteed the girls would never want for anything financially, and Gracie and Mary would see to their physical and emotional needs.
He had no more experience at being a big brother than he did a father, but shit, how hard could it be? Yeah, they might be girls, but kids were kids. Gifts on their birthdays and holidays were a must, but in his experience with Tom’s boys, kids were happy with the simple things. Like an occasional movie or a meal. What kid wouldn’t like a trip to the zoo or maybe a day spent sledding the hill out behind the barn? He grunted in satisfaction.
Piece of cake .
Whatever Pete’s true motivation for shoving the twins at him, Jake would have the last word and twist the situation to his advantage. He grinned.
Beginning with Gracie.
Kevin Tucker dropped into the chair in front of him, straddling it backward. Jake bit back a groan. Matching, serrated barbed wire tattoos stretched across Tuck’s thickly muscled biceps when he propped his arms on the back rest. He leaned forward. Cobalt blue eyes twinkled beneath a mop of sun-bleached blond hair. He curved his lips in a sly smile.
“Who is she?”
“She who?”
The grin widened. “The she who has you sitting here grinning like an asshole.”
Fighting back the groan grew more difficult. They’d been friends since the tough kid from South Boston was drafted in Jake’s third season. Tuck’s nose had been broken numerous times and had the prominent bump to prove it. A jagged scar bisected his right eyebrow above his crooked beak. Despite the imperfections, the ladies flocked to him. When it came to his exploits with women, Tuck was a legend. In comparison, Jake was a Boy Scout.
Which didn’t mean Jake couldn’t hold his own. In a game of friendly competition, they’d both stolen a lady love from the other on more than one occasion. The latest victory belonged to Jake, when he convinced Daphne, the underwear model Tuck escorted to a fundraiser last spring, to toss the veteran wide receiver over for a weekend in Bermuda. Tuck had been waiting seven months for the chance to retaliate.
Gracie’s gem-toned eyes, drugged with passion as she fought against the pleasure of their shared kiss, filled Jake’s mind. Not this time, buddy . I’m keeping this one to myself . “What makes you think I’m grinning over a woman?”
Tuck’s nostrils flared on a sharp laugh. “Costa has you in his crosshairs, you’ve been slapped with a bullshit fine, and every sports talker in the country is gunning for you. The fact you can still smile can mean only one thing.” He jabbed a finger toward Jake’s nose. “You’re under the influence of some damn sweet poison. Who is she?”
Jake crossed his arms and bared his teeth in a fuck you smile.
“Gentlemen. We have our work cut out for us this week.”
The chatter in the room quieted immediately as the offensive coordinator arrived. Tuck thinned his lips in a challenging smirk. “You know I’ll find out.” He spun his chair around to face the screens as the lights blinked out then spoke in a low voice over one shoulder. “By the way, next week’s poker game is at your place.”
Shit .
Chapter 10
“Thanks for the ride.” Gracie scrambled from Max’s low-slung sports car, hoping to rush inside before he could follow. She wasn’t quick enough. Thanks to his long-legged stride, he joined her before she reached the porch steps.
“Go away.” She searched her purse for her key.
“Not a chance, kiddo. This is Jake Malone we’re talking about. You don’t always think clearly when your heart’s in play. I’m here to help.”
She rolled her eyes. “My girl parts are in play, you idiot, not my heart.”
He grinned and bumped her shoulder with his. “I’ve
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