Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Shane Miller playfully backhands Mr. Talon’s chest. “Drop the mister. Talon and Miller is fine.”
Talon lowers his voice. “These guys are so much scarier than Levi ever was. We need them to respect us.”
“Hey,” a voice comes from behind them. “I was a Vanderbilt, and that didn’t intimidate you?”
Brady’s parents turn, and as they do, they part, revealing a guy I’m sure I’ve met before. And not via a computer screen. Brady’s brother’s boyfriend.
“Vanderbilt money doesn’t scare us,” Talon says to him.
“Good to see you again,” I say to Levi.
“Don’t even get us started on the fact Levi met you before we did,” Talon says. “We love Levi like he’s our own, but all of you lose future son-in-law points for that one.”
I understand what Brady means by his parents being over-the-top, but I also know that it’s done with love, so I find them funny more than anything.
Kit and two others arrive, one guy with dark hair and graying sides helping Kit carry the portable grill over even though Kit is perfectly capable of carrying it himself.
Brady immediately goes over to them, and at first, I think he’s going toward Kit, but instead, he wraps his arms around the guy with dark hair.
“I see you’ve met Uncle Damon,” he says to Kit.
So, that’s Brady’s boss.
“And your Uncle Maddox.” Kit points to a blond guy with them.
“I helped by watching them carry that thing.” Maddox points to the grill. “It was a hard job, but someone had to do it.”
According to Brady, Maddox is the fun uncle, and I can see why.
“Come and meet the rest of them, and then feel free to run away.” Brady pulls Kit over next to me, and Kit wraps his arm around my shoulders.
Introductions move at a blur. From uncles, cousins, and everyone in between.
But it’s the person waiting at the back with Levi who I know is the most important when it comes to Brady. If Brady’s dads don’t like us, that would be one thing. If Brady’s brother hated us? We could basically kiss goodbye any chance we have at keeping Brady forever. Or at all.
The group is already spreading out, taking over setting up the grill, putting food and drinks they’ve brought with them down on the picnic table, and soon enough, it’s just Brady, Kit, me, Levi, and Peyton Miller.
Brady’s told me how close they are. How when they were growing up, they basically only had each other at school. Friends used them because of who their dads were, and they didn’t know who they could trust. It’s why Brady was so reluctant to tell us who he was in the beginning.
Peyton is the current it boy of the NFL, the guy breaking all kinds of football records in his rookie years, but none of that scares me. Him thinking I’m not good enough for his brother? Yeah, that I’m worried about.
As Peyton steps closer, his lips turn up, and he holds out his hand. “Peyton.”
I shake his hand. “Prescott.”
Kit does the same. “Kit.”
“I think I’m supposed to say something here like ‘break his heart, I’ll break your face,’ but you’re both tall and huge, and yeah, there’s no way I’d be able to kick any of your asses. Some of my teammates might though.”
“If we break his heart, I give you permission to break his face.” I point at Kit. “I’m selfless like that.”
The joke has the effect I was going for. The ice is broken as everyone laughs and settles into casual conversation.
Step one of meeting the family has been a success, but we’ve still got all day to survive the rest.
“Who’s up for a friendly game of flag football?” Brady’s dad calls out.
And yep, Brady was right about that too.
Thankfully, I don’t get to play. I put my hand on Kit’s shoulder. “You can’t let them win.”
Kit leans over and kisses my cheek. “Let? I don’t think there’ll be any letting them. They’re professional football players.”
“Retired,” Peyton says. “I can’t play. My agent will kick my ass if I risk getting injured during a game of pickup.” He nods toward Damon.
“I’m out too,” Levi says. “I have no sporting ability whatsoever.”
“Nice try,” Brady says and reaches for Levi. “You can be on my team.”
I guess it’s going to be me and Peyton, then. Alone.
I can do this.
I can totally do this.
“Beer?” I ask him and try to move, but he holds up his hand.
“I’ll get it. You sit.”
I’m thankful because it takes me longer to hobble back to the table on my crutches than it does for Peyton to pull two beers out of a cooler.
I sit sideways on the end of the bench seat so I can keep my leg out but not put my back to Peyton.
We sit in silence.
Great start, Prescott.
“Thanks.” I hold up my beer and take a sip.