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  DeMarcus dropped onto the booth seat and put his arm around his girlfriend.

  Reagan took a spot in the empty booth across from them and motioned to the waitress to bring him another drink.

  “So, who won?” Angie asked with an expression as innocent as a kitten.

  “Who do you think?” Reagan took a peanut out of the bowl and flicked it over at DeMarcus. “I swear he cheats.”

  “I don’t have to cheat, you just suck that bad.” DeMarcus laughed while cracking open a peanut shell.

  “Maybe Reagan’s just setting you up for a big fall.” Angie nudged her boyfriend in the ribs. “He’ll get you to make a huge bet and then clean you out.”

  Reagan laughed while accepting his drink from a very cute waitress. “DeMarcus is right. I’m awful at pool, but I can’t seem to stop playing. There’s always hope he’ll have an off game, and I’ll finally beat him.”

  Angie grabbed a handful of peanuts and started cracking their shells. “I hear you’re seeing that woman you met at the banquet a few weeks ago. I thought you’re still with Brynn.”

  Reagan gave DeMarcus the evil eye before delving into that mud puddle. “I have no romantic interest in Julie. We’ve gotten together a few times, but always with her son. And Brynn and I aren’t what you’d call in a stable relationship. You know me. I like to keep my options open.”

  Angie poured another glass of beer from the pitcher sitting on the table. “I remember seeing Julie at the banquet. She seemed sweet and really nice.”

  “Reagan needs to learn to appreciate the benefits of the long-term relationship…because I love my girl.” DeMarcus kissed Angie on the cheek. “Julie’s the type of woman you should be dating. Someone real, not the Hollywood version you always end up with.”

  They were right. But a real relationship right now was out of the question. Since joining the pros, he’d drifted along the rivers of his accomplishments, enjoying all the benefits they offered. But in the last few weeks, he sensed an internal shift—an ever-present restlessness. Things were changing in his life, and he had a good idea why.

  “She’s still in love with her husband. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the kind of man she would want to date. I think we’re both happy getting to know each other as friends.” He saw a waitress come over with a fresh drink.

  She leaned over to set his drink on the table, smiled, and then walked away.

  On the napkin tucked underneath the glass was a series of numbers written with now smudged red ink. He could still make out a phone number encircled with a heart.

  DeMarcus noticed the attempted flirtation and laughed. “Trust me, man, you’d be so much better off being with one lady.”

  Reagan couldn’t help but think of Julie, and the way she’d looked at Aiden’s football game. The day had been perfect, watching the kid play, and giving his mother football lessons on the sidelines. After the game, they’d stopped for ice cream. She was deliciously gorgeous, sitting at their outdoor table, enjoying her ice cream cone. Listening to her talk, he grew distracted by the tendrils of red hair that broke free of her ponytail. Her face was flushed after spending the afternoon in the summer heat. She created a pretty picture, natural and pure.

  Angie tugged on DeMarcus’ shirt sleeve. “Looks like the rain’s letting up. We should probably get going.” She reached over to pat Reagan’s hand, which rested on the table. “Reagan Harrison, you’re a good man. You deserve someone who will really appreciate you. Just because Julie’s a widow doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to fall in love again.” She followed her boyfriend out of the booth then reached over to grab her purse. “I hope you keep seeing her.”

  “She’s coming to the party at my house next Saturday,” he told Angie, who then gave him a thumbs-up.

  “Now I’m really disappointed I can’t come. I’ll have to talk to Arnie’s wife. She can be my spy.”

  Reagan shook his head and laughed. “See you two matchmakers later.” They didn’t understand what he already knew. Anything between Julie and him would only end in heartache. And he wouldn’t risk that, for both their sakes.

  “See ya,” DeMarcus said as the couple walked away.

  Reagan finished his whiskey and noticed an empty pool table. Another game would mean the loss of a few more bucks. What the hell, it was only money. He walked over to a group of his teammates at the bar and held out a pool stick. “Who’s up for another game?”

  ****

  Reagan spent most of the next morning lying on the sofa. Tomorrow was the first game of the preseason, and he had a wicked hangover from the night before. Hopefully, he’d start feeling better soon. He had only two more hours before boarding a plane to LA.

  Practice had been relentless, and the August heat drained any leftover energy. He loved football with a passion, but training camp was always his least favorite time of the year. The recent draft picks and walk-on rookies were all proving their abilities, which made his job that much harder. As a veteran player, his duty was to put those overconfident boys back in their place and remind them they were no longer in college. The pros were a whole different beast. Hard hits for caught balls, picking apart the offensive line to bring the quarterback down, payback for missed tackles—all part of the process of turning boys into men.

  Seven years ago, he’d been a newly drafted rookie. Learning the ropes was tough, and the other players pushed him without mercy. But in the end, that pressure had made him the player he was today. During his first season, he’d made a name for himself. People had taken notice of the new inside linebacker who couldn’t be stopped. They’d started to call him “The Dragon,” and on the football field, he felt like a predator. Last season, he’d won Defensive Player of the Year, and the trophy sat proudly on the bookcase in his study, alongside the many others he’d collected over the years. But that wasn’t enough. His career was on the fast track, with no sign of slowing. Ever since he’d first stepped onto the football field, all he wanted was to make a career of playing ball. He would never be happy with only being good. He needed to be the best.

  Reagan sat and enjoyed the silence. What would my quiet bachelor pad sound like once filled with my own family? The wife and children I might have someday. Maybe in the distant future, he’d finally feel like settling down.

  Grabbing the remote, Reagan turned off the TV. “Better start packing,” he said to himself, his voice echoing through the room. The team left for Los Angeles in a few hours. He was ready to get back on the field.

  His cell phone buzzed, and he glanced at the text.

  **Hey, cutie, see you’re coming out to LA. You want to get together?**

  Reagan let out a deep sigh. Brynn was stunningly beautiful, with long platinum-blonde hair, flawless skin, and a dazzling smile. They’d met at a fundraiser and had enjoyed each other’s company for the rest of the night. She wanted a sports celebrity on her arm, and he’d been all too happy to fill the role.

  Tomorrow, he would be playing a short distance from her home.

  —I’ll hit you up when I get there—

  While packing for the few days away, Reagan let his thoughts wander to Julie—a woman as different from Brynn as apple pie was to caviar. He decided to call Julie tomorrow to see what she thought of the game. Reagan had classified their relationship as friends, but the word felt inadequate. Julie was like a warm ember—inviting, comfortable, and easy to be close to. In the past, his relationships with women were more like fireworks, hot and bright but over quickly.

  He’d been burned once. His trust shattered after finding the woman he loved was unfaithful. In college, Sarah Collins had been the center of his world, the woman he was going to marry. He’d be drafted to play professional football and she would be his adoring wife. Their picture-perfect life had all been a pipe dream.

  After that heartbreak, he promised himself never to be so vulnerable again. He’d successfully avoided any serious relationships up to this point and enjoyed the status as one of the most eligible bachelors in
the country. Finding a beautiful woman was never a problem. Finding one he wanted to stay with, well—that was never really a concern.

  But that was before Julie Ellis came into his life.

  Closing his suitcase, Reagan carried it, along with his garment bag, downstairs. He set them on the floor to go grab his cell phone and the book he had been reading. The view of the lake, and the many boats dotting the glassy water, temporarily distracted him from his mission to get out the door. For a few minutes, he imagined enjoying a beautiful day on the lake. Save that thought for another day. Fishing would have to wait.

  The second he stepped into the garage, his phone buzzed. Tempted not to look at the text, he hesitated before pulling out his phone. What he saw brought a huge smile to his face.

  **Good luck tomorrow! Aiden and I will be cheering you on! **

  —Thanks. I’ll call you after the game to get your review of my performance.—

  **Can’t wait…**

  That simple expression of desire and anticipation awoke feelings that had remained dormant for too long.

  ****

  Friday night, Julie’s living room turned into a noisy party as they watched the Warriors football game. Julie and Aiden wore their new jerseys, with the name HARRISON boldly displayed on the back. Mary arrived sporting her new red-and-silver Warriors T-shirt. Aiden insisted on having pizza, while Chrissy and Matt brought chicken wings and chips. They may have been a small crowd but made up for the size with plenty of enthusiasm.

  Even a pre-season game turned exciting when Julie and Aiden were friends with one of the players. When the team walked out onto the field for the first time, Julie had an easy time picking Reagan out of the crowd. She’d recognize his trademark swagger anywhere.

  During the first half of the game, they cheered loudly when Reagan was credited for several big plays. Aiden studied the TV screen with intensity, giving play-by-play commentary. After halftime, most of the starters, including Reagan, were pulled to allow the rookies and second-string players to prove their skills. Once his buddy had been sent to sit on the sidelines, Aiden wandered off to the kitchen to get another slice of pizza. By the end of the third quarter, he had run outside to play with a few of the neighbor boys.

  Chrissy plopped down on the sofa next to Julie. “So spill, Jules. What’s going on between you and number fifty-four?”

  No surprise. Chrissy was always the group busybody. “Ummm…nothing. Reagan’s been kind to Aiden, and Aiden worships the ground he walks on. That’s the whole story.”

  “I don’t think there’s any confusion about Aiden’s feelings toward Reagan or that Reagan is kind to your son.” Matt took a napkin and wiped chicken wing sauce off his hands. “We’re all concerned about you, we don’t want to see you get hurt. News travels fast in Timber Lake and that Reagan Harrison runs with a fast crowd is common knowledge. He doesn’t exactly have a stellar dating record, either. Seems to enjoy a quick turnaround.”

  “First of all, why would you worry about me getting hurt? I’m not dating him, nor do I want to.” Julie would give those rumors the credit they deserved—none. Even if Matt’s concern might be valid. Her opinion of Reagan would stay based on facts. Like the way he made her feel like the most important woman in the world when they were together. “Second.” She forced her voice to remain steady and calm. “Your judgments about him are totally based on gossip. But I can tell you that when he’s with Aiden and me, he’s down-to-earth and funny. He’s just a normal guy.”

  At that moment, an image of Reagan flashed on the screen. He stood on the sidelines, helmet in hand, laughing with one of the other players, and looking devilishly handsome. How did just the sight of him make her pulse race? Just an innocent physical attraction. A normal female reaction to his body, which was stacked with hard muscle. Nothing more. She forced herself to take her gaze off the TV.

  Chrissy turned to her and wrapped an arm around Julie’s shoulder. “He’s not just a normal guy, Jules.”

  Julie took a deep breath and looked around. She didn’t need their concern. “You know I’m still grieving for John. He was the love of my life. I don’t have room in my heart for anyone else.”

  Mary grabbed her daughter’s hand. “We trust you’ll make the right decisions for your life. I hope he knows what a wonderful woman he has for a friend.”

  “That’s right.” Chrissy wrapped her arm around Julie’s shoulder and gave her an energetic squeeze. “I’ll be scouting Reagan at his party, so he better be on his best behavior.”

  “Oh, no.” Julie laughed. “Don’t make me regret inviting you.”

  “We only agreed to go as a favor to you,” Matt said, his lips twitching into a smirk.

  “Right,” Julie said. “Because I really had to twist your arm. Don’t be too hard on the guy. He was nice enough to invite us to his house. I’m actually excited to go, and I can’t tell you the last time I felt excited about anything.”

  “Well, I’m glad to hear that!” Chrissy exclaimed, talking with the speed of a machine gun. “Because I’m planning to have a blast. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We’ll be rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. I can’t wait.”

  “Don’t forget, Chrissy, we have to spend some time with Reagan’s little sister. That’s the reason I agreed to go in the first place.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” She waved off Julie. “That’s your job. I’m talking to as many football players as possible.” Chrissy then began her endless list of people she planned on meeting.

  “I want to meet him, too.” Mary quietly interrupted the long oration. “I want to meet the man who’s been spending time with my daughter and grandson. Invite him over for dinner, Julie. Pick a time that works for both of you, and I’ll make sure to be here.” She clasped her hands together. Case closed.

  “I guess I could ask.” Julie wanted to outright say no. Reagan, eating dinner at her kitchen table, with her mother—yikes! “But I’m sure he’ll decline.”

  “He’ll be grateful to have one of your home-cooked meals. I am confident he’ll want to come.”

  Julie wasn’t so confident, but what more could she say? She’d ask. He’d say no thanks. End of story.

  Before she knew it, the game was over. The Warriors won by fourteen points, and Julie turned off the TV. While putting away the leftover food, she heard her cell phone ring and she ran over to answer the call.

  Three pairs of eyes followed her with curiosity.

  Reagan Harrison’s name glowed on the screen. He’d actually taken the time to call her.

  Julie stepped outside, onto the deck, for some privacy. She took a deep breath before answering.

  “So, how did I do?” Reagan asked from the other end of the line.

  “What a great game.” Her skin tingled at the sound of his deep voice.

  “Thanks,” Reagan said over loud banging and muffled laughter. “I’m waiting outside the locker room. Sorry for all the background noise.”

  “No problem. I’m glad you called. Thanks to you, I understood what was going on during the game.”

  He laughed. “You’re a quick study.”

  “I was very impressed with how well you played, but everyone’s so aggressive. How can you stand the constant pushing, shoving, and falling down?”

  “That falling down is called a tackle.” The tone of his voice held unabashed amusement.

  “Well, you did that tackling thing very well.” Her mind scrambled for a safer topic. “Aiden talked me into getting a Harrison jersey for both of us. Your biggest cheering section was in my family room.”

  “Great. I can’t wait to see you wearing my last name.”

  A burst of activity sounded over Reagan’s voice.

  “Sorry, but I’ve got to go. Tell Aiden I said hi, and thanks for rooting for me. Nice to know someone’s in my corner.”

  “Have a safe trip home. See you next Saturday.”

  “See you soon,” he said, before ending the call.

  Julie sucked in h
er breath like she’d been hit in the stomach. See you soon. She’d heard that sentiment before. That was how John always signed off in his letters.

  Chapter Seven

  Saturday afternoon, Reagan looked around his backyard and concluded it was ready for the invasion to come. The bartenders were in position under the gazebo by the pool, fully stocked with every type of drink. In the outdoor kitchen, the catering staff was busy preparing food. Several of his teammates had arrived a little early and had set up shop over on the paved basketball court. They played a little three-on-three ball, while their female companions had seated themselves on the patio, under the shade of a bright red umbrella.

  His sister, Kelsey, walked his way, after a stroll along the beach. Her colorful skirt blew in the breeze and a long, blonde braid swung down her back. Kelsey was the youngest of the four Harrison children, and the most indulged. Reagan being especially guilty of that offense, and in return, she was his biggest supporter.

  “Reagan,” Kelsey said as she approached, “I saw a beautiful white stork standing in the marsh.” She pointed across the yard, toward the lake, to a patch of cattails and lily pads that ran adjacent to his property. “It stood so still, I thought it was a statue. Then all of a sudden, the bird took off into the air. It was amazing!”

  “He’s a frequent guest around here…likes to stop by after I’ve been out fishing to look for treats. He seems partial to fish guts.”

  “Eww.” She scrunched her freckled nose. “So when are your other guests coming? I’m looking forward to meeting Julie. I need to find out if she’s good enough for my big brother.”

  “You realize Julie’s just a friend, right? Nothing’s going on between us.” His chest tightened with apprehension. “I wouldn’t want you to make her feel uncomfortable with an interrogation. Be a good girl and try not to scare her away.”

  “Whatever.” She gave a dismissive wave. “I’ll judge for myself what’s going on between the two of you. I’ve never known you to be just friends with a single woman. Tell me when she gets here. Okay?” Kelsey gave him a wink and walked around to the French doors, going into the house.