Chapter 17
Riley
Breakfast is a lively affair. We all spread out around the living room since the table in the kitchen is officially too small for all of us.
I end up sitting on the floor against the wall, and Reid joins me.
We linger a long time over breakfast, laughing and talking.
I don’t know when I’ve had such a good time.
“Okay, has it been long enough for everybody’s food to settle? ” Zane asks.
Quint jumps to his feet. “Doesn’t matter. We’re getting started. Slate has to leave later, so we’ve got to get to the getting while the getting is good.”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” Evie says from her spot on the couch next to Zane.
“It doesn’t have to. It means it’s time to play foooootball.” Quint does a weird dance that we all make fun of. Reid stands and puts a hand out to me, pulling me to my feet easily.
“So, how intense is this game going to be?” I ask him.
“It’s pretty intense.” He grins. “You’ll love it.”
“I’m on Zane’s team,” Tessa calls out.
“Tessa,” Slate growls. “You’re on my team.” He tugs her to him, and she just laughs. She’s not laughing a moment later when he pulls her in for a kiss.
I look up at Reid. “They’re a mess.”
“They’re always a mess.”
“Will you and I be on the same team?”
He puts his hand on my back. “Yes.”
We step outside, and I lift my face to the sun. It’s a gorgeous day out. “What are the teams?” I ask as we walk over to the center of the field. “Zane and Quint can’t be on the same team.”
Quint grins at me. “Why not, Riley?”
“How about Reid and I and Evie and Zane on a team?” I offer, ignoring Quint.
“What? That's totally stacking the team,” Quint complains. “Zane and Reid are really good, and you’ll hold your own. For our team, it’s just Slate and I. No offense, Tessa.”
“None taken,” she calls out. I laugh when I see she’s already on her back on the grass with her arm over her eyes.
“Evie and I and Slate and Tessa,” Zane calls out. “Good?”
Quint looks over at Reid and me. “I guess I’ll take the ballers.”
“Wow, thanks, Quint,” I say dryly.
“What? You two may be good at your sport, but this here is the sport. This is football, Baby.” Quint hits his chest.
I look over at Reid. “Is he always this full of himself?” I question.
Reid levels a look at me. “You know the answer to that question.”
“Okay, huddle up, my peeps,” Quint says and jogs over to us. “Here’s the plan. On defense, stop Zane. On offense, give me the ball.” He looks at both of us. “Good?”
“No, that’s not good. That’s not even remotely a plan,” I protest.
Quint just laughs. “I knew you wouldn’t go for that plan.”
“Then why did you say it?”
His grin widens. “Because you’re so easy to rile up, Riley.”
“How about we make a real plan?” I suggest.
“Fine.” He looks over at them and then back to us.
“We don’t need to worry about Tessa.” I try not to smile.
“Evie isn’t much of a threat, especially since she’s on Zane’s team.
But don’t underestimate her; she can be devious when she wants to be.
Obviously, Zane’s got the arm; and Slate can run. If Slate gets the ball, it’s all over.”
I glance at him. “You’re pretty fast, Quint.”
He grins and elbows Reid. “Your woman just complimented me, Man.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late,” Reid says.
“Let’s go,” Zane calls out. “We’ll let you start with the ball since you have one less.”
“Aw, you’re too kind, Brother.”
Zane throws the ball to Quint. “All right. You two ready?” Quint asks us. He gives Reid the ball. “You throw; I’ll catch.”
I frown. “What about me?”
Quint grins. “You keep the boys away from me.”
I look over at Slate and Zane. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
“Okay. Then Reid throws, and you catch. I’ll keep all the—”
“You and I will split, and Riley can throw to whoever’s open,” Reid says and moves to the middle.
Quint shrugs. “Or we can do that.”
We line up, and Reid squats down. He looks back at me. “Ready?” I nod. “You guys ready?” he asks the other team.
Slate pulls Tessa to her feet. “We’re ready,” he calls out.
“Do we have to be, though?” Tessa asks.
“Go,” Zane says, and Reid snaps the ball to me.
I catch it and take a moment to watch Reid and Quint run down the field.
Suddenly, Evie’s coming right at me. She surprises me so much, it takes an extra second for me to move.
But I spin around her by instinct and look downfield.
Reid cuts away from Slate and moves towards the middle of the field.
I throw it before I have a chance to overthink it.
It’s not a perfect throw, but it gets to him.
He catches it and runs it in for a touchdown.
“And that’s how it’s done!” Quint yells as he and Reid both jog back towards the middle of the field. We gather in the middle to celebrate. “Nice throw, Riley.” He gives me a high five. “And pretty decent catch and run,” he says to Reid.
Reid just shakes his head. “Thanks.” But he gives me a full smile. “Good throw.” And just like that, I feel like a superhero.
“All right. We’re on defense next. How are we going to do this?” I ask.
“I’ll take Zane since I know his moves,” Quint says.
“I’ve got Slate,” Reid offers.
I nod. “I’ll watch the girls.”
We line up in the middle, and Slate snaps it to Zane.
Quint takes off towards Zane, but Reid and I both linger a moment watching to see where things are going to go.
I’ve got Slate; you get Evie, Reid sends to me.
But Zane gets away from Quint and runs right up the middle.
I move to intercept him, and he sees me coming a mile away.
He just grins and goes right around me. “Ugh.” I turn to run after him, but it’s too late. They score.
“Way to go, Team!” Tessa calls out.
We line up in the middle. “What happened to you knowing Zane’s moves?” I ask Quint.
He just waves me off. “Yeah, well he got past you too, Little Sister.”
I scowl at that, and we move to center field once again. “All right, what’s the plan?” I ask Quint since he’s the football guy.
“You hand it off to me this time, and I’ll run it. Just hold it behind your back after Reid snaps it.”
I nod. “Got it.” Reid gets into position, and I stand behind him and wait for Zane’s team to come up with a plan. While I’m waiting, I reach down and run my fingers through the back of Reid’s head.
What are you doing? He sends through the pack link.
I stare down at my fingers in his hair. Your hair is so soft. I didn’t know it was this soft.
Riley, we’re on the same team.
My fingers stop moving. What? I ask in confusion.
You don’t need to distract me; we’re on the same team, he all but growls through our link.
I laugh softly and drop my fingers. All right. I guess I’ll have to wait to feel you up. I grin even as I say the words; I love messing with him. And if there’s anything he’s shown me in the last two weeks, it’s that he’s as drawn to me or into me as I am into him.
Riley, he growls in a huff. I want your hands on me every moment of every day. But if you want to focus on this game, you’d better stop touching me and talking to me that way.
But it’s so fun, I send back, running my fingers through his hair once again.
He stands suddenly and turns, so that he’s looking down at me.
My heart speeds up at the look in his eyes.
They’re definitely lighter, a sign that his wolf is very much present.
He steps so close, we’re chest to chest; but we’re not touching.
I have no problem picking you up and carrying you off this field in the sight of everybody and having my way with you inside the privacy of my bedroom.
But I don’t think you’re quite ready for that.
But you keep it up, keep poking the bear, it’s going to happen.
I feel my entire insides heat to a nearly combustible level at his words, but I force myself to play it cool. I think you mean wolf, I say, keeping eye contact the entire time.
He growls and steps forward, and I anticipate whatever he’s going to do. Suddenly, Zane is there. “Hey, knock it off, you two. We have a game to play.”
My brother’s voice is like a cup of cold water to the face. My head jerks back, and I feel my face heat. There’s no doubt in my mind that everybody just watched our heated exchange. Good thing I don’t care. I grin up at Reid. “You ready to snap?”
His eyes darken this time, and I watch as his eyes drop to my lips. For one breathless moment, I think he’s going to do it; I think he’s going to kiss me. But then he tugs his ball cap further down his head and turns back around. I’m always ready to snap around you.
I grin at his words. Same, Reid. Same.
Before either of us can say anymore, he snaps the ball.
Thankfully, I remember what I’m supposed to.
I get the ball behind my back just as Quint passes behind me.
He takes the ball and runs with it. He's fast; sometimes, I forget how fast he is. He gets all the way down the field and scores. “Yes!!” I run to the middle and give Quint and Reid high-fives, and then we play defense. They score on the next three possessions. Sadly, we don’t.
They end up beating us, but we put up a good fight.
“Good game, everybody,” Zane calls out.
“Great game. What’s for lunch?” Tessa asks, dropping to the ground. “I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Quint says with a laugh.
Tessa gives him what I assume she thinks is an evil glare, but on her, it barely even looks like a frown. Slate stops in front of her and pulls her to her feet. “Let’s get something to eat.”
“Oh, I think I love you.”
I laugh at her words, but she’s not laughing.
She’s dead serious. I hide my smile as I walk past the two of them.
I’m so glad they found each other. Slate needed Tessa in his life, and I’m so happy he found her.
I glance over at my brother and Evie and think the same thing for them.
They’re so happy, and they’re so good for each other.
My brother’s going to make an amazing alpha when he takes over for my dad some day, and Evie will be just who he needs at his side.
I picture them having several kids. “What are you thinking?” Reid asks, showing up at my side.
I smile up at him. “Just at how perfectly matched Slate and Tessa and Zane and Evie are.”
“And us?” he asks, looking down at me.
I look up at him. “I think we’re a pretty good match. Do you?”
“I think you’re my perfect match.”
“Aw, thanks.”
“I’m serious, you know.”
“I know.” My voice is serious now; all trace of humor gone. We walk back to the house together. “Do you think I’m ready for tomorrow?” I haven’t talked about it much, but now it’s so close. I’m nervous, like really nervous for basketball to start tomorrow.
He catches my hand and turns me to face him. “You’re going to do great. You’re ready.” But there’s something in his face. I know him too well to miss it.
“What are you not telling me?” I ask directly.
He hesitates only a moment. “Just that the coach is pretty intense. I’ve heard about her over the years. Just don’t let her get to you, okay?”