Hello Quarterback (Hello #8)

20. Ford

20

FORD

After the game, my family came over to spend the night.

I loved having them in my home. In fact, they were a big reason I’d purchased such a large house. I wanted them to feel comfortable at my place so I could see them more often.

Even though my brothers were all so different, we were like the pieces of a puzzle. Interesting on our own, but more complete when we were together.

Fletcher was the smart, serious one in our family, now a successful doctor running a medical practice in Cottonwood Falls. Hayes had his own body shop and was the rebel of the group, with enough ink to fill a printer, piercings all over (even in places I didn’t want to think about), and had a revolving door of women to keep him company. Knox worked as a police officer, but he was also the mischievous one of all of us, always bringing the fun. And then my baby brother, Bryce, was the quiet, thoughtful one of the group, adding only words that really mattered. Together, we just... worked.

Tonight, the kids, my dad, and the wives were splashing around in the pool while four of us five brothers sat around my firepit. They drank beers and made fun of me for my choice seltzer water. Proof that no matter how famous I got, they were sure to keep me humble.

“So,” Fletcher said. “What’s the deal with Mia, really? I thought you weren’t dating ‘til you had a ring.” He chuckled at his own joke. “Get it?”

“Stupid,” Knox laughed.

Hayes rolled his eyes, biting back a smile. And I shook my head at the lot of them. I didn’t want to talk about this. Not with my brothers. “That was my plan, but plans change.” I shrugged and took a drink of my seltzer.

Fletcher eyed me suspiciously.

Hayes leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The fire caught his lip ring, making the silver look gold. “I could see why you broke your rule for her.”

All eyes were on him.

“What?” he said. Then he nudged my leg with his boot. “Come on, you know she’s hot.”

Jealousy flared up in my chest, so strong and unexpected, I couldn’t find the words. “Excuse me?”

“What?” Hayes taunted. “You saw her ass in that pencil skirt. Everyone did on the jumbotron.”

My vision was going red when Fletcher gave a pointed look at our brother Knox. “Don’t murder him, Ford. There’s an off-duty cop around.”

“Oh, shut it,” I said, flipping off Fletcher.

My brothers all chuckled at that, but my laugh came out as harsh and forced as it felt.

They were all watching me like they knew I was still seething.

“Shit,” Hayes said. “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was that serious with her yet.”

“It’s not,” I said.

They all gave me dubious looks.

“It’s not,” I repeated. But they were still disbelieving, so I got up and walked to the pool, shrugging off my shirt. The kids were more fun anyway—even if I could feel my brothers’ skeptical gazes on my back.

The week flew by until my next public appearance with Mia. There were practices and meetings and press interviews, and then finally, there was the gala benefiting my charity, Ford’s Friends. For the last several years, I had gone by myself, but tonight, Mia was my guest.

I’d never been more nervous.

After my brothers caught on to my feelings the weekend before, I was more determined than ever to stifle whatever attraction I had for her. This was a business deal, plain and simple.

Because even if Mia was sexy, you know what else was sexy?

A championship ring.

A renewed contract close to my family with plenty of money to support my charity.

Achieving my goals before life was ripped away from me, like it had been for my mom.

Whatever infatuation I had with Mia wasn’t worth losing all that, even if I did have a chance with her. Which was doubtful. She was a successful older woman. And me? I was on the verge of losing my contract.

With my priorities back in check, I put on my suit and tie, visualizing the evening before me. I was determined to keep my focus on the charity, on what the funds raised could do for grieving kids in Texas. I imagined what it would be like if no one ever had to go without grief counseling, if no widowed parents had to sacrifice financially to support their child’s mental health.

That thought drove me as I finished getting ready and then went to the car waiting for me out front. Usually, I didn’t mind driving myself places, but with Mia and me set to arrive together, it made sense for me to use her car service.

I got in and chatted with her driver, Zeke, until we arrived at the massive condo building Mia called home. It wasn’t too long before she stepped out of the elevator, and my mouth went slack.

She looked more stunning than I’d ever seen her, adorned in a shimmering silver dress that cut across her cleavage with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a slit that showed her luscious thigh as she walked toward me. Her blond hair was pulled back, showing diamond earrings dripping from her ears.

I forced myself to swallow as she approached. “Wow, Mia... You look incredible.”

She smiled, doing a spin for me. I loved how she did that. Instead of shying away from my compliments, she embraced them, giving me even more of her to enjoy. When her spin ended, she faced me, a free tendril of hair fallen across her forehead.

I reached out to brush it back, stunned by how soft her skin felt beneath my fingertips. How my heart fell when I had to pull my hand aside.

“Shall we?” she asked, gesturing toward the limo.

I nodded and held the door open for her. I didn’t trust myself to speak. Especially not when I watched her get into the car, catching a clear view of her bare shoulders, the baby hairs trailing down her neck. It was unexpectedly alluring.

Championship ring. I reminded myself.

Contract.

Charity .

I followed her into the car and shut the door to see her reaching for the refrigerator toward the front. She pulled out a bottle of champagne and two glasses. “Let’s celebrate your charity tonight,” she said with a warm smile. My eyes hungrily trailed the path of her dark red lips.

She set the glasses aside and tugged at the cork.

It popped, and her lips formed a surprised O that was incredibly cute and impossibly sexy at the same time.

I was fucked .

This was going to be a long night, convincing myself I couldn’t have what was right in front of me.