I shrug. “She and I aren’t like that. I don’t have deep conversations with her. I told her early on that wasn’t what I wanted, but she’s been angling for something more serious lately.”
“And you’re not interested.”
“No.” And definitely not with Kira. The truth is I don’t think I’m wired that way.
“You can’t force yourself to feel something with a woman. When the right girl comes your way, she’ll kick your ass in the best way, and you won’t complain.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Listen to you.”
“Babe!” Paige shouts. “Dinner’s on in ten.”
“Thanks, darlin’,” he says with a dopey smile on his face as he looks off camera.
“You are so spoiled.” I shake my head.
He smirks. “Guilty as charged.”
For a brief moment, I wonder what it would be like to have a wife and kids.
And then I drag my ass back to reality.
I’m sure my unnamed wife would love my demanding NFL schedule and all the days I’m criss-crossing the country for games. Kira bitches about it nonstop. Some of my teammatesjuggle families, but the rest are divorced or plan to stay bachelors. And half of the married dudes cheat.
Suddenly, a snow-white chicken with a big fluff of feathers on its head hops on Rhett’s lap. He pets it gently. “Hi, sweetheart. How’d you get in the house?”
Paige has my brother talking to chickens now. It’s kind of disgusting how cute they are. “Is that one of Paige’s silkies?”
“Yup. Not much of an egg-laying breed. Mostly a pet. When she’s happy, she purrs.”
I almost ask if he’s talking about Paige or the chicken, but I decide I don’t want to know. “I’m gonna let you commune with your little clucker, but I have a few things I need to ask you. I’ve been saving all my money like you said I should. Except our team’s financial strategist suggested that I invest in some property.”
“And you wanna buy something in New York?”
“I was thinking maybe a property in your neck of the woods. Something I could rent out.” One of my teammates has a dozen rentals, and he said that financial stability helps him not worry so much about his future in the NFL.
Surprise lines my brother’s face, probably ’cause he knows how much I’ve wanted to live in a big city. “No shit.”
“The prices in New York are too high. Investing here feels like a gamble, especially since I don’t know the area well.” Not to mention that Coach might trade my ass if we don’t rack up some wins soon. “I’m guessing the appreciation in Wild Heart would be bigger.”
He nods slowly. “That sounds smart, bro. As long as you keep something for emergencies.”
“Are you guys doing okay financially?” We almost lost the ranch last year.
“Yeah, much better now.”
“Great. I sent you a check. I figure we’re long overdue forsome new equipment.” Everything on our ranch is rusted, and that could be dangerous.
Rhett frowns. “I don’t want your money. You worked your ass off to get where you are now. Save it.”
“Consider it an investment. I want to be a partner in more than name only. Plus, I might need a place to crash when the season is over.” We get a few months before we have to attend daily training sessions in the spring, and I’m starting to think I need to get back to my roots.
“You’re welcome anytime if you don’t mind bunking with Jace.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. Think you could look into some properties for me? Maybe something I could rent to tourists downtown?” Having money is a new feeling for me. I’ve always been that broke-ass kid who wore hand-me-downs.
“Sure. I’ll look into that on Monday.”
“One more question. If I get you a flight out here, think you’d have time to come to a game?”
