Page 16 of Bluffed By the Offense

I neatly ignore the subject of my past dating failures and say, “The bones of those old houses are so much stronger than new builds. Besides, no one puts in the details they did when they built these older homes.”

I’m going to check it out. I already know I am. I knew it before I even saw the For Sale sign—knew I had to tour the inside of that house, to see the original floors, to walk the attic, to run my hand along the old banister. I’ll find out who the selling agent is and approach them tomorrow.

I imagine the inside of that house the rest of the drive to Declan’s. He has a valet at the gate to his home. I hand the young man my keys, and he takes my Escalade up the street while Brady, Trey and I walk up the driveway to the large stone parking area in front of the massive double front doors. Declan grew up here. He’s always known a life of having whatever he wanted.

Another staff member points toward the side of the house. “The gate is open. Enjoy your evening.”

“So swanky,” Treyvon teases.

“I don’t feel right coming empty-handed,” I say to him.

“You can take the boy out of the south, but you can’t take the south out of the boy,” he says.

“Our mamas would tan our hides if they knew we were showing up to events without gifts for the hosts.”

Keller laughs. “Your mom is going to tan your hide? Has she seen you lately?”

Trey gives him a look. “You haven’t met my mama.”

I laugh. Trey’s mom is five foot nothing. She’s as southern as they come. Sweet, thoughtful, and always welcoming all his friends over. But when it comes to manners, she doesn’t mess around.

We round the corner into the yard and the first thing my eyes land on is the brown-haired woman standing next to Declan while he grills. Cass is laughing with Winona, her face alight, eyes practically glimmering in the sunlight. There’s no denying she’s beautiful—the most beautiful woman here, and that’s saying a lot considering the types of women who usually end up dating or marrying professional athletes.

Keller nudges me. “Looks like someone caught some feelings in the park yesterday.”

“What? No.” I shake my head. “I’d rather catch the flu.”

“Nice,” Treyvon says.

“She’s like the edge of a cliff with the most stunning views,” I say. “Step too close, you’ll lose your footing, and then, that’s all she wrote.”

“So, you won’t mind if I go chat her up?” Keller asks, purposely goading me.

“Help yourself.” I say the words, but my spine straightens and my jaw goes momentarily tight.

Keller’s a good friend. It would be awkward if he dated my nemesis. My urge to hold him back makes sense.

He strides across the lawn, looking back over his shoulder with a wag of his brows as if to give me one last chance to stop him. I cross my arms, glance around the yard and walk toward a group of my teammates standing in a spot the opposite direction of the grill.

Trey sizes me up.

“Got something to say?” I ask him.

“You’re not unbothered.”

“You’re right. Okay?” I look him in the eyes. “O’Connell’s future sister-in-law bothers me. A lot.”

He laughs as if I just told a hilarious joke.

My phone goes off in my pocket. I pull it out.

“It’s Kate.” I tell Trey. “I’ll catch up with you in a minute.”

He nods and walks away, giving me some space.

“Hey, Kate.” I answer my cell.

“Marcus. I know you’re at the barbecue at O’Connell’s.”