“What are…?” Rob looked from AJ to his sister. “I didn’t realize you two knew each other.”


AJ would have given his left arm to be able to fade into his surroundings. The friendly reception he’d received from Rob had all but disappeared, and the man was currently eyeing him like he’d pickpocketed his wallet or some shit. Gone was the old friend from high school—replaced by a big brother in full-on protection mode.

“Well, we do know each other.” Brett’s tone was flippant, but AJ didn’t miss the flush rising in her cheeks. “What are you doing here? I thought we talked about calling before you stop by.”

Rob ignored her. His scowl deepened as he turned to AJ. “Why are you at my sister’s apartment at nine in the morning?”

AJ had to choke back a laugh. Talk about the most obvious question on the planet. He was wearing a pink towel, for fuck’s sake.

On the same token, there was no way in hell he was admitting to Brett’s brother that he’d picked her up at the club last night and brought her home for sex.

To his relief, Brett didn’t seem interested in sharing that juicy tidbit, either. “What are you doing here?” she repeated.

“Why is Walsh here?” her brother countered.

Brett’s hands curled into small fists at her sides, and AJ could tell she was trying very hard not to lose her temper.

He searched his own brain for a suitable response, one that didn’t feature the words one-night stand or hot, sweaty sex, but again, Brett beat him to the punch.

“He’s here because he’s my boyfriend.”





Chapter Five


Shit on a stick.

Of all the times her big brother had showed up unannounced, this had to be the worst. She’d finally been making headway in her quest to prove that she’d put her wild partying days behind her. She’d even managed to finagle a promise out of Rob that he’d speak to their dad on her behalf and vouch for her new, responsible ways.

Now any endorsement from her brother was about to be shot to hell. He’d just walked in on her and her one-night stand, for Pete’s sake—how was that going to convince him she’d changed? And no matter how tough he looked, Rob happened to be the biggest daddy’s boy in her family, which meant he’d rat her out in a heartbeat.

Panic scurried up her spine as she envisioned her infuriating brother telling their dad about the scene he’d just stumbled on.

Crap. She couldn’t let that happen.

Please, please, please just go with it.

She silently pleaded at AJ from behind her brother’s head, praying that he’d back her up. AJ’s green eyes had filled with surprise at her announcement, and she could practically see his brain working to make sense of it.

“Your boyfriend?” Rob said incredulously. “Since when?”

AJ spoke up before Brett could. “It’s been a few weeks now.”

The response was so smooth and sounded so genuine that even Brett believed him, and she knew he was lying. A rush of gratitude flooded her belly, which she tried to convey wordlessly when their gazes locked again.

“Yeah?” Rob shook his head a few times, still looking confused. But it didn’t take long for him to adjust. With a big grin, he glanced over at Brett and said, “This is awesome. Dad will be thrilled.”

She furrowed her brow. “He will?”

“Are you serious? You’re dating the Ten Grand Touchdown!” her brother exclaimed. “I bet he throws you a celebratory parade.”

Her confusion only heightened. “What the hell are you babbling about?”

Rob sighed heavily, as if he couldn’t believe the comment even warranted an explanation. “Remember that game back in senior year, when half the Hawks players got injured the week we were scheduled to play the division leaders?”

“No.”

He kept going as if she hadn’t spoken. “Nobody thought we stood a chance of winning that game—bookies were giving us twenty-to-one odds. Well, Dad bet five hundred bucks on the Hawks.” Rob shook his head in amazement. “End of the fourth, we’re down by six, one play left, and then this guy”—he gestured to AJ—“ends up catching a Hail Mary in the end zone.”

“Oh crap, I remember that game,” AJ blurted out, laughing softly. “I’m pretty sure I was as shocked as everyone else in the stadium when I actually caught that pass.” He paused. “Your dad bets that kind of money on high school football games?”

“Oh yeah. He bets on everything.” Rob was still grinning from ear to ear. “He worships the ground you walk on, dude. To this day, he still brags about that payout.”

Brett had a vague recollection of her father boasting about some touchdown that had made him a lot of money, but as the only female in a family of males, she’d learned to tune out her dad and brothers whenever they jabbered on about sports.