“Sunshine, you’re late.”
She wrapped her curvy body around me and peeked up. “I had to finish a report for the boss lady.”
“Figuring out which hotshots will one day replace me?”
She grinned. “Better watch your back, Dino Boy.”
Lauren had barely waited six weeks before promoting Summer to junior agent at her brand-new boutique agency. My Summer had a knack for it. Knew the game, the people, the players inside out. Could turn on the charm when she needed it, too. Sometimes I’d hear her on the phone with a potential client or wavering team owner, and that Southern twang got more pronounced as Shelby Mae stepped up to the plate.
Damn, I loved that scrappy girl from Mississippi. She had brought Summer home to me.
“How’s your dad doing?”
I looked over at him, yukking it up at the bar with Levi Hunt, Gunnar Bond, and Cal Foreman, just a few of his former teammates and closest friends. Everyone had come out to see him—the Durand brothers, the Chase sisters, Rosie’s dads, his old coaches, all the players who had mentored him, and the ones who learned how to be good teammates and better men just by spending a moment in his presence.
“I think he’s going to miss being a Rebel.”
“Once one, always one, right?”
I kissed her forehead. “It’s a pretty special club. Even front office alums and Rebel WAGs get member jackets.”
She smiled up at me. “I like the Kershaw club better, even if I don’t officially carry the name.”
She was still skittish about the idea of marriage. Each day, the trust between us grew stronger, and I hoped that there would come a time when she’d trust herself enough and agree to be my wife. Until then, I’d regularly pat my pocket to check on the ring Aurora had given me, the one I carried with me at all times, just waiting for that sign. And in the meantime, I’d hold my girl close and never let her go.
“You’re one of us, Sunshine. Don’t you forget it.”
I looked over her head at Jason, who I had happily ignored as soon as Summer arrived. His attention was elsewhere, but before I could track his target, Conor bounded up, blocking my sightline.
“Hey, lovahs! What’s shakin’?”
My brother was home for a flying visit to attend Dad’s retirement party. He’d had a great start with Detroit and was already being talked about for the Calder, the trophy they gave to rookies at the end of their maiden season.
He kissed Summer on the cheek, high-fived me, and turned to Jason.
Then turned right back with a typically Conor-cryptic, “Interesting.”
“What is?”
“Just something I know.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are we in for a night of vague-booking and veiled references to your favorite hot beverage?”
“That would be Shelby Mae’s fave.” Conor had loved learning that tidbit about my girl’s past. “You still digging that teapot I gave you?”
She squeezed his arm. “It was my favorite birthday present, Connie.”
“Ahem,” I coughed.
“After my man’s gift subscription to the Cheese of the Month club. I mean, duh!”
I brushed my lips across the top of her head. Damn, I shouldn’t have been this happy.
Conor nudged Jason. “I see your sworn enemy is here.”
Jason frowned, and his cheeks flushed slightly. I followed his gaze to Rosie and Franky, who were on their way over to greet us.
“Don’t you mean yours?” I asked. Conor and Rosie liked to snipe at each other like a couple of fishwives.
