She pushed away her nervousness, took a deep breath, and got out. She bounded up the walkway leading to his apartment before she could have any second thoughts. His door was open. That wasn’t like him. She turned back and searched the parking lot for his Jeep Cherokee. It was there. Avery put the jewelry box in her purse then fished out her pepper spray
and her cell phone, just in case something was wrong. As she eased in, she called out, but Wyatt didn’t answer. She went toward the kitchen, not knowing what to expect. But her stomach dropped when she saw his neighbor Kelly with her arms around his neck.
“Wyatt,” she said so softly it was a miracle he heard her.
He pushed Kelly off him, his eyes wide with shock. “Avery!”
“This
is awkward,” Kelly said and smirked.
“I was dropping something off for Teri-Lyn. I’ll leave it on the coffee table.” She backed away as she fought to hold in her tears.
“Avery wait.” He walked toward her. “Let me explain—”
But she kept going. She had to get out of there now. “I don’t want an explanation. I don’t want to talk to you.”
He caught up with her and gently grasped
her wrist. “Avery. Stop.” He turned to Kelly. “Kelly. You need to go. Now.”
“I’ll talk to you later, Wyatt.” Kelly sauntered past them both and exited the apartment.
When she was out sight, Avery wrenched out of his grasp. “Now I know why you hurried me out of the guesthouse. Why fool around with me when you have some with
way
more experience to play with. I can’t believe I wanted
to be with you that night.”
“I didn’t want to
fool around
with you.”
Avery furiously dug into her bag and found the jewelry box. “Teri-Lyn asked me to give these to you.” She threw the box at him and stormed out.
“Avery!” Wyatt reached down, picked up the box, and threw it on a chair. He caught up with her and jumped in front of her to block her path. “Avery, please stop. I need
to talk to you.”
“Now you have something to say? Funny how you like to talk when it’s convenient for you. But I don’t want to listen.”
She scurried to her car before he could catch up with her. She didn’t want to hear another word he had to say.
* * *
Wyatt was gripping the wheel so tight, his hand was cramping. How had things gone so wrong, so quickly?
When he got on the road for his trip home to New Mexico to visit his family, he hadn’t wanted to leave until he’d explained things to Avery. Until he’d set things right. But he’d searched for Avery for the rest of the day after she stormed out of his apartment in hopes of explaining what she’d seen and had no luck finding her. She wasn’t taking his phone calls either. He knew what Avery had seen looked
bad. No, it looked terrible.
Today he’d caught a break. After some cajoling, Kendrick, Sam’s partner at Regency who also oversaw the security for the Blake family, informed him Avery had gone to see Parker. He assured Kendrick he wouldn’t tell where the information came from and was on his way. He’d called Avery again, but she still wouldn’t pick up. A half hour later and thirty miles out
his way to New Mexico, he made the turn when he saw the Twin Oaks gated community sign on his way to Parker’s house. It figured she’d live on a Blake property. He’d remembered Bo saying this was a property in Connor and Colby’s real estate portfolio. He told the security guard in the shack he was here to see Parker. The man got on the phone and made a call. A few minutes later, the guard raised
the security gate and gave him instructions to get to Parker’s place.
Twin Oaks was a nice property with manicured lawns and gorgeous homes. He saw Parker’s car and pulled into the driveway next to Avery’s car. She wasn’t standing outside wielding a weapon and Parker had allowed him through at the gate, so he took it as a good sign he was welcome. He got out of the car and rang the doorbell.
Parker opened the door with a bright smile.
“Hi, Parker.” He hugged her.
“Wyatt. So nice to see you.” She hugged him back and ushered him into the house.
He whistled as he surveyed the foyer area. “Nice place.”
“Thanks. Avery’s in the living room.”
“Do I need to borrow your bullet proof vest?”
“I hope not.” She smiled and continued into the living room.
As soon as he locked eyes with Avery, his heart skipped a beat and his body tensed. She was standing near the coffee table with her arms folded across her chest. She looked sexy in a pair of jean shorts and turquoise blouse. That was one of his problems these days. Since that steamy kiss they’d shared, he had trouble keeping himself composed around her. He thought about puppies. Rainbows. Images
of his mom and her friends doing yoga on their deck wearing those unitards from the eighties usually did the trick. Anything that would cool his overactive libido. Because now all he wanted to do was finish what they’d started that night in the guesthouse before he’d come to his senses.
“Hey, Princess.” He smiled.
“Stop calling me that,” she huffed. “How did you know I was here?”
“I have my ways.”
Avery and Parker looked at each other. “Kendrick.”
He winced. “He was just doing me a favor. Don’t rat him out to Sam.”
“What are you doing here?”
“You left before I could explain what you saw.”
“I told you I didn’t want an explanation.”
Parker cleared her throat. “I’ll give you two some privacy. Wyatt, the fridge is fully stocked if you
want anything. I’ll be upstairs if you need a referee.” She waved at Avery as she left, ignoring Avery’s hand signals telling her to stay put.
He launched into his speech as soon as Parker left. “I didn’t sleep with Kelly.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Have I ever lied to you? I don’t intend to do so now. Kelly’s been flirting with me for three years, and I’ve been turning her down
for three years.” He looked her in the eyes. “I don’t want her.”
She sighed. “Am I supposed to be happy about that?”
“Honestly. I don’t know.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets, sank down on the arm of the white leather couch, and tilted his head back and closed his eyes.
“What’s going on with you lately?” she asked, her voice almost gentle.
That was a really good question.
But he didn’t want to talk about it right now. “I’ve got some stuff to figure out about my future. I’m afraid I won’t live up to everyone’s expectations.”
She looked relieved—and he was relieved to see anything but anger on her face. “Oh. I know how you feel.”
“No, I don’t think you do.” He shook his head. “You accelerated your course load and now you’re graduating with me and going
to med school. Do you know how embarrassed I am about that?”
She frowned. “Why would you be embarrassed?”
“Because you’ve been working hard for three years and I’ve been messing around.”
She closed the distance between them. “You’ve been doing great. Maybe you have a balanced college life. Maybe I’m the one who’s wound too tight.”
“You’re fine.” He looked into her eyes
and pulled her closer. “As a matter of fact, you’re more than fine. You’re going to do great things in your life. I’m counting on you to be a kick ass doctor.”
She laughed. “No pressure.”
“I’m serious. Whenever I do get a respectable job, I’m going to refuse the health benefits because I will insist that you be my doctor.”
“I don’t know. Being your physician would require you
taking your clothes off in front of me so I can give you a thorough exam.”
He stood, taking her face in his hands. “I’m counting on it.”
“Wyatt?”
He leaned in and kissed her. Now that he had the delicious taste of her lips etched into his memory, he had to have more. His body thrummed as Avery leaned into him and put her arms around his waist. He knew she wanted to talk about
that night at the guesthouse, but he wasn’t ready. Sure, they could’ve had sex. But it wouldn’t be
just sex
with Avery. It would mean something much more, and he was trying to understand why it terrified him. He felt himself getting hard again. It was time to get on the road. He reluctantly pulled away from her and touched his forehead with hers.
She caressed his hands. “Parker and I were
going to have pizza for dinner. I can order a pie with anchovies and pepperoni for you.”
“No. I can’t stay. I’m on my way to New Mexico to see my family. I think something’s going on with Corbett.”
“Oh. OK.” She sighed. “How long will you be gone?”
“Just a few days. I have a shift at the Bright Star this weekend.” He caressed her face again and reluctantly walked to the door
with her hand in hers. “Can you tell Parker good-bye for me?”
She laughed. “Sure. You be careful. Tell your mom and Corbett I said hello.”
“Not Courtney?”
“Yeah, her too.” She smiled.
“So we’re good?” he asked, hopeful.
“We’re getting there,” she sighed. “Whatever it is you’re going through, I know you’ll figure it out. Don’t put a time limit on yourself. Sometimes
things that are worth fighting for take more time.”
“Yes, they do.” He kissed her again before he left. “We’ll talk when I get back. I promise.”
“OK.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Avery was happy to get the text the other night from Wyatt saying that he’d arrived safely in New Mexico. Apparently there was some stuff going on with Corbett. He said he’d fill her in when he got back. There was no mention of a discussion about their hot kisses—kisses that were getting successively hotter each time they
connected and that bothered her. One of the things she always liked about him was his confidence and playfulness. But lately he’d become unpredictable and moody all the time. He’d left the other day before they could finish their talk at Parker’s house. She thought they’d been connecting on a new level when he’d started talking about his real feelings. And then he’d left again. Whether he liked it
or not, they needed to have a serious talk about things. She hoped he’d stop running long enough to talk.
When her Uncle Seth asked her to lunch, Avery had no idea they would be dining at the fancy restaurant in the Tomcats Stadium. She parked her car and walked through the main stadium doors. There was a flurry of activity going on today. She told one of the security guards she was there
to see her uncle, and they quickly got on the phone to locate him. After a few minutes, they found him on the field, but he instructed them to escort her to the restaurant.
It wasn’t out of the ordinary for her to spend time with her Uncle Seth, but she wondered what he was up to. She thanked her security escort for bringing her up, but assured him that she’d be OK waiting outside the restaurant
for her uncle. Practice was in session and it looked like the team was running drills of some sort. She walked over to the railing and spotted her uncle talking to the head coach.
“Avery?”
She turned to see none other than Riley Sloane. “Riley. Hi.”
“What a pleasant surprise. You look gorgeous.”
“I see you don’t have an off switch for that charm of yours,” she replied.
Riley flirted with her relentlessly the first day they met, right in front of her Uncle Seth. Apparently he had a healthy ego
and
a death wish. The noise from the cheerleaders as they bounded out of the restaurant was a welcome distraction. They waved at Riley, and a few of them blew kisses at him as they got on the escalator. “Now that’s gorgeous.”
“
That’s
overkill. They try too hard.”
He glanced at the cheerleaders then returned his determined gaze back on her. “Don’t tell me you’re going to be working here.”
“No.” She laughed. “I’m just having lunch with my Uncle Seth.”
“Ah.” He grinned. “It was wishful thinking on my part.”
“How are things? I hear you’re starting to let go and dig into your position.”
“Finally a compliment from someone in the Blake
family.” He held his hands up in the air. “I normally get a grunt or stiff nod from your uncle.”
“Sounds like you two are getting along. He doesn’t give just anyone that stiff nod. You have to earn it.”
“He doesn’t do that with you.”
She smiled. “Well, I’m special.”
“Yes, you are.” Riley’s eyes gleamed. “So how’s school? I heard you’re thinking about pursuing medicine.”
“Yes.” She grimaced. Was there anybody on the planet her Uncle Seth hadn’t told?
“If you ever need someone to play doctor with you, give me a call.” He winked.
A female voice interrupted from behind him, “I don’t think there’s a medical remedy for an overinflated ego.”
They both turned around to see Parker standing there.
Avery hugged her. “Parker! What are you doing
here?”
“Sam’s doing an overview of the stadium’s security and I thought I’d tag along.”
“Parker, I’d like you to meet Riley Sloane.” Avery turned to Riley. “Riley this is Parker Carson. She’s Sam’s sister.”
He gave Parker a casual once over. “What’s with the gun?”
“I’m a cop.” She flashed a fake smile. “And although your performance on the field is sometimes criminal, alas
I cannot arrest you for it.”
“Improving every game is part of the drama that keeps people tuned into the Tomcats as we rise from the ashes to a Super Bowl victory. People love to root for the handsome superstar. TV ratings go up every time the Tomcats play.”
Parker shrugged. “Ever since the big boom of reality TV, everyone thinks they’re a superstar.”
Avery bit back a smile.
The ever-smooth Riley looked like he wanted to strangle Parker, and Parker looked like she was waiting for him to make a wrong move so she could take him down. A man passing by with a camera waved at Riley and halted the building tension a little. The quarterback motioned for him to come over.
“Ladies, this is Stu. He’s the photographer who’s going around the stadium taking day-in-the-life
shots for a project Seth’s putting together about our daily operations. Stu, you’re in for a treat. This is Seth’s brilliant niece, Avery Reed. She’s going to med school in the near future.”
“Hi, Avery.” The photographer beamed as he shook Avery’s hand.
When Riley didn’t attempt to introduce Parker, Avery intervened. “Stu, this is Parker Carson. She’s J.J.’s sister-in-law. Her sister
Sam is roaming the stadium checking the security layout.”
He shook Parker’s hand too. “I saw Sam and her team near the loading bays. I can definitely see the resemblance.”
Riley draped his arm around Avery’s shoulders. “Stu, how about you take a picture of us?”
“That’s a great idea.” Avery locked arms with Parker and pulled her closer.
“Sure.” Stu took the lens cap off
his camera. “Parker I just need you to get on the other side of Riley. And Riley, if you could put your arm around each beautiful lady’s waist, it would be great. Our star quarterback’s a big guy, if he puts his arm around your shoulders, it looks like he’s mauling you.”
Avery and Riley were getting into the posing position just fine. He gently placed his arm around her waist. Being that
close to him, she couldn’t help but notice the definition in his body. He was lean but muscular and solid. He towered over her, not that it was hard. She envied Parker’s taller stature. Her five-foot-seven frame complemented a man of Riley’s height better than Avery’s did. She was ready to get the photo over with, but Riley and Parker were having problems standing close to one another. From the look
on Parker’s face, Avery was pretty sure her friend would rather be in the middle of another lecture from J.J. right now than posing with the egoistical quarterback. Stu gave them a few more directions and they were finally in the position he wanted for the photos.
“Watch the hands, pretty boy,” Parker mumbled. “This isn’t a date.”
“Been a while, has it?” Riley retorted.
“I was
thinking the same thing about you and deodorant,” Parker bit back.
Avery couldn’t help but laugh.
“Everybody, big smiles,” Stu said.
The photographer took shots from different angles. Finally, it was over and the three of them broke apart. Parker glared at Riley as she checked her waist for her gun and handcuffs. And just to drive the point home, she checked her pockets too.
Riley was mid-balk when Sam contacted Parker on the walkie-talkie she held, asking to meet her on the executive floor. Parker bid Avery farewell and promised to call her that night. Now she and Riley were alone again, and he had that same glazed-over, lustful look he’d been sporting before Parker arrived.
She peeked over the quarterback’s shoulder and thankfully her Uncle Seth was coming
their way. “Uncle Seth.”
He kissed her on the cheek and hugged her. “Hey, pretty girl. Sorry I’m late.”
Riley smirked. “Hey, boss. No hug and kiss for me?”
“Sloane, what did I tell you about my niece?” Seth’s jaw ticked.
“We just ran into each other,” Riley replied. “I didn’t want to be rude and not say hello.”
Seth only frowned. “Back to practice. Unless you’re suddenly
not interested in making it to the playoffs, champ.”
“It was nice seeing you again, Avery.”
“You too.” She forced a smile. When Riley was far enough away, she glared at her uncle. “Why did you do that?”
“Sloane knows the rules. He’s supposed to keep his distance from you. His job depends on it.”
“Uncle Seth. How could you embarrass me like that?”
Seth put his arm
around her and guided her toward the restaurant. “Guys like Riley are only after one thing.”
“And you think I’m too naïve to recognize that? Did you ever stop to think maybe I wouldn’t be susceptible to his so-called charms? Feel free to stop seeing me as a little kid at any time.”
He seemed genuinely surprised. “Little kid? You’ve grown into a beautiful, intelligent, and perceptive
young lady who can hold your own, just like any woman in this family.”
She wasn’t buying it. It was long past time she finally spoke her mind. “Look, I know you want to keep me safe, but you have to let me grow up. You can’t go around policing my social life. You’ve been treating Wyatt badly for years.”
Seth held up his hands. “I like Wyatt. I think he’s a nice young man. And I’m not
just saying that because he’s family.”
“Since when? Every guy in the family was always watching him—watching
us
—like hawks. And despite that, you ordered him to watch over me and report back to the family.”
“That’s not true. He was told to look out for you, and he’s done a great job.”
“I don’t need a babysitter. I’m not six years old. And then here you are again, being rude to
Riley, which is completely unnecessary. I’m perfectly capable of dealing with a guy like him.” She dug in her heels and refused to go into the restaurant when he opened the door.
“Every time you’re around, he’s grinning like an idiot.” Seth’s eyes narrowed. “Has he been calling you?”
“You’re doing it again. You can’t turn it off.” She shook her head.
Seth closed the restaurant
door and gently pulled Avery over to the railing. “I know I can go a bit overboard—”
“A
bit
?” she interrupted.
“OK,” Seth conceded. “I can be obnoxious when it comes to you. Just know it’s meant out of love. You’re my niece, and I’ve taken the job of being your uncle very seriously over the years. When you decided to go to college in Texas, I made a promise to your dad that nothing
would ever happen to you. But I’m not apologizing for caring too much and wanting you to be happy and safe.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being concerned,” she replied after a pause. She actually liked that part. “But you can’t follow me around for the rest of my life. You and the family have to loosen up. I insist. No, I demand it.”
“I’ll do my best to dial it down a little.” He smiled
at her.
“Good.” She ran a hand through her hair.
“Are we good? I’d love to talk to you the plans for your birthday party over lunch.” He put his arm around her shoulder and guided her back to the restaurant entrance.
“Yeah. We’re good.” She smiled back and rested her head against his shoulder. “Are you going to apologize to Riley?”
“No. Riley and I have a level of subtle
hostility toward each other I’d like to remain intact. It drives him to be a better football player. But I’d rather talk about your party.”
“I don’t want anything big.”
“So no carnival?”
“Or circus or casino night. I just want something simple with the family and on the day I choose.”
“But I thought it would be great to have it on your actual birthday.”
She looked
at her uncle and smiled. His attempt to throw her a kick-ass party might have been endearing if she weren’t able to see what he was really doing. Turning twenty-one was a rite of passage, namely being able to drink. If she were at home with some party that may or may not include a clown, she wouldn’t be able to say she partied for her milestone birthday.
“I may be going out with friends.
You don’t have a problem with that, do you?”
“You’re killing me.” He flashed a tight smile. “Whatever you want. It’s your day.”
“I hope you’re learning from this. Mackenzie is going to give you a run for your money.”
* * *
Wyatt wiped the sweat from his brow and slumped against the truck, happy that they were finished loading the last of the boxes. He’d
barely gotten into the door at home when Corbett had broken the news that he and Courtney had called off the wedding. A wave of relief washed over him, followed by an avalanche of guilt. He didn’t care for Courtney, but he knew it must have sucked for Corbett to break things off with the woman he loved. Now things were moving pretty fast. Corbett had agreed to move his things out of the place he’d
shared with Courtney. Wyatt kept in touch with a few high school buddies who still lived in town, so he called them up, and they were happy to help his brother move in exchange for pizza and beer.
Meanwhile, their mom was away tending to their aunt Eileen who’d broken her leg sky-diving. She said she’d come home, but Corbett assured her it wasn’t necessary. Corbett was acting eerily calm
about everything. So calm, their dad volunteered to help with the move anyway.
Courtney was at her parents’ house, but her friend Antonia had volunteered to supervise the move. They’d agreed that having a third party on the premises would alleviate the chance of one person accusing the other of stealing anything. Courtney also had red dots on everything that belonged to Corbett, so it was
easy to spot what had to go. He’d be taking a few things to their mom’s house but everything else was going to a storage unit.
They were just about to ready to go, and Wyatt and his dad were standing near the truck waiting for Corbett to give Antonia his keys. Courtney’s friend didn’t show any animosity and had hugged him several times over the course of the morning.
“She’s mighty
friendly to be a good friend of the bride’s,” his father Buck joked.
“Yeah, shouldn’t she be yelling expletives in absentia?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Antonia gives your brother a consoling call in a month or so.”
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s a regulation hug for someone who’s dumped your best friend.” Wyatt watched as she hugged Corbett yet again after returning the engagement
ring Corbett had given to Courtney.