by Tia Souders
“Uh-huh, sure,” Jinny murmured in response to something Dean said. She checked to make sure her ringer was turned on then set her phone back down.
“And then I told Callie, ‘If you don’t let me wear Bermuda shorts for the ceremony, it’s off,’ ” Dean said.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. And she told me in no uncertain terms where I could shove my shorts and gave me the ring back.”
“Wait. What?” Jinny’s eyes widened as she caught the tail-end of what Dean had been saying.
“About time I got your attention.”
Jinny scowled. “Did she really give the ring back?”
“Over Bermuda shorts? Were you even listening to anything I was saying?”
“Um…a little.” Jinny rubbed the back of her neck.
“What gives?” Dean asked as he pushed his empty plate away. “I’ve eaten all my food, and you’ve barely touched yours. You’ve been distracted all night.”
“Have not.”
Dean arched a brow. “I just told you that I hired a stripper for the reception, that I insisted on wearing shorts to my wedding, and that Callie gave me her ring back. You barely blinked.”
Busted.
“Hey, it’s not my fault. I warned you before we came out that I was tired, but you insisted.”
Dean leaned back in his chair, studying her. “No. That’s not it. If anything, you look wired. And don’t think I haven’t noticed you checking your phone every two seconds.”
“Well, if your fiancée would answer, I wouldn’t need to check it every two seconds.”
“So, you’re distracted and desperate to get a hold of Callie, which means…you have some sort of crisis. Am I right?”
Jinny pinched her mouth shut. Crap. What could she say? Oh, I just think I might have a thing for your best friend and teammate—who’s also my patient. Oh, and did I forget to mention we kissed? Twice. And now it’s all I can think about. Sure, that’d go over well.
He must’ve sensed her reluctance because he waved the waitress over and ordered her a chocolate lava cake.
They sat in silence until her cake was delivered, doused in hot fudge, melty vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream.
Jinny dug her spoon in and took a giant bite of heaven. When Dean made for it with his dirty dinner fork—ew—she pulled the plate out of reach. “No way. If you wanted some, you should’ve ordered two, Mr. Stingy.”
“I’m the stingy one? And you didn’t even eat your dinner.”
“Okay, Mom.”
“Fine.” Dean set his fork down and crossed his arms over his chest. “Now that you have chocolate, spill it.”
Jinny grimaced.
“Don’t give me that look,” he said. “I’m your brother. You should be able to talk to me about anything. We’re not thirteen anymore.”
“Some of us aren’t,” Jinny muttered under her breath.
Dean inclined his head, waiting.
Ugh. What choice did she have?
“Fine. But you can’t get all preachy.” She pointed her fork at him.
He drew an invisible X over his chest. “I promise not to judge.”
She took another bite of cake in silence. She couldn’t believe she was about to do this—to confide in Dean. Her desperation must’ve hit an all-time high.
“It’s about a guy,” she blurted.
Dean blanched. “Okay.”
Jinny felt a stab of sympathy. He was really trying. Poor guy.
“I kind of…might have feelings for someone?” She squinted. Even she couldn’t believe what she was saying.
Dean turned completely puce before his expression changed and his eyes darkened.
“See!” Jinny stabbed her cake. “You’re doing it.”
“Doing what? I said nothing,” Dean said, defensively.
“First you looked like you might be sick, and then your eyes did that thing they do”— she waved her fork in the air—“that angry, dark-blue thing. You’re going all big brother on me. It’s written all over your face.”
“Would you prefer it if I closed my eyes?”
“Yes, actually.”
He shot her a dirty look. And she answered him by blinking her eyes exaggeratedly.
He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. “Where is my fiancée when we need her?”
“You’re telling me.”
“I’m waiting. My judging eyes are closed.”
Jinny hesitated. In high school, whenever a guy showed interest in her, Dean had made his presence known. She remembered the time Tommy Fazone had finally worked up the courage to ask Jinny out. It had been a relationship she had nurtured for the better part of her sophomore year. Finally, he got the guts and asked her to Spring Fest, a local event with live entertainment and food. She had worked dang hard for that date. Then he’d canceled the day before.
Turned out, Dean had caught wind of Tommy’s feelings and gave him the third degree. Scared him so bad that Tommy wrote Jinny off as a liability. It wasn’t until Dean went off to college that she was finally free to date without fear of his intervention.
So, as she stared him down, even with his eyes closed, she knew saying anything to him would be a mistake. But he wouldn’t stop bugging her until she did. Besides, how long could she keep this a secret? He’d sense something was up the second he saw Jinny and Emmett were no longer at each other’s throats.
“What if…” She paused and bit her lip. Here goes nothing. “What if I liked someone from work?”
There. The words were out.
Dean’s eyes shot open. She pointed at him. “Hey—”
“Who?” He frowned. “If you like someone from work, that would mean it’s…” He trailed off before his eyes brightened. A knowing grin curled his lips.
Did he know who it was?
He pursed his lips. “So, are you asking me what I think about you pursuing something with this colleague?”
Jinny pushed a piece of a cake around on her plate. “Maybe.”
“It’s not ideal because it could be super awkward if it doesn’t work out. But, actually, if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense.”
Hold on while I pick my jaw up off the ground. “It does?”
“Think about it. You’re basically one of us now. I mean, your summer schedule is more laid back, but during the in-season, you have to travel with the team, keep office hours, and go to all our games. You practically have to be married to your work. It’s not the easiest for maintaining a solid relationship with someone who works a nine-to-five. But if you found someone with the same exact schedule. Someone who understood the sport, who loved it, who loved the work… Well, that would be pretty great for you.”
It was true. Jinny hadn’t really thought about it before, but everything Dean said made total sense. All along, she had looked at a relationship with Emmett as being a liability. Working relationships were generally frowned upon, but her job took sacrifice. Being a team therapist was demanding, time-consuming. A normal relationship may struggle because of the schedule and the travel. But someone on the team would totally understand.
“That does make a lot of sense, actually,” Jinny said.
Her stomach churned with the revelation, or were those butterflies?
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
“Well, I think the last time I asked you for advice was when Marta Dribble made fun of that bad haircut I got in fourth grade. You told me to put toenail clippings in her sandwich. I got a semester’s worth of detention for that.”
“Hey, she had it coming.”
Jinny groaned and covered her face with her hands. What was happening to her?
She was talking about liking Emmett Hall, and getting butterflies while doing so. She felt like she was back in junior high with her first crush.
“Look at you,” Dean cooed.
“Please don’t.” She lifted her gaze to his and wanted to slap the teasing smile right off his fat face.
“I don’t know if I’ve
ever seen you fret over a guy before. It’s so cute.” He laughed as she chucked her straw at him. “You must really like him.”
“No,” she snapped. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Well, good. I’m happy for you. I mean, you could do worse. He’s got a good job, and he’s a heck of a lot more mature than the last guy you dated. Maybe it’ll work out better than you think.”
Jinny bit her lip. This conversation was beyond surreal. “And you’re sure you’re okay with this?”
“Yeah. Absolutely.” He leaned forward and offered her a smile. “The more I think about it, the more I can see it. Go for it.”
CHAPTER twenty
Emmett
Emmett surveyed the room. It was jam-packed with people. Nearly every slot machine within sight had a body in front of it. They had lucked out getting a spot at the bar. He hadn’t even wanted to come out, but at nine o’clock, Dean had pounded on the door to his room and all but dragged him out.
As his eyes scanned the crowd, he could tell himself he wasn’t looking for her all he wanted, but he would be lying. The idea of Jinny going out alone churned in his gut. She’d saunter around with her large brown eyes and heart-shaped mouth, oblivious to her natural beauty and the innocent girl next door vibe that had most guys stumbling over themselves for a chance to talk to her. Every guy within arm’s reach would be clamoring at a chance to buy her a drink.
“What’s with you, man?” Dean asked, raising a brow.
“Nothing.” Emmett shrugged.
“You’re not acting like yourself.”
“How so?”
“Well, for one,” Dean said, tipping his beer toward him, “there is no way the Emmett I know would be sitting here with me when that redhead over there”—his gaze flicked to the other end of the bar, where a woman in a short black dress blatantly stared at him—“is ogling him. Or the blonde, for that matter.” He jerked his head across from them at a blonde woman. Her bold gaze held Emmett’s as she licked her lips.
Dean was right. Normally, he’d approach the women in a heartbeat, but his heart wasn’t in it.
“So, what gives?” Dean asked. “Even if you try to say they aren’t your type, which I know they are, you’d at the very least be attempting to use me as your wingman as you picked up the night’s du jour.”
Emmett shifted in his seat and brought a hand to the back of his neck. He wasn’t that bad. So, he enjoyed the company of women. He liked to have fun and flirt and he didn’t relish spending every evening alone. But he didn’t have to pick up chicks everywhere he went.
“That’s not entirely accurate,” he muttered.
“It’s totally accurate.”
“Maybe I’m not in the mood.”
Dean’s eyes widened. “Now I know something’s up.”
Emmett stifled a growl of frustration, annoyed with the direction their conversation had taken. “That’s not all I’m about.”
Dean snickered like he didn’t believe him. With a raised brow, Dean stared at him with a penetrating gaze.
Emmett shifted in his seat. He couldn’t tell Dean that he was thinking about Jinny. He had no way of knowing—
“I know what it is.” Dean’s expression clouded, and Emmett stiffened. “It’s the tournament. Man, I should’ve known. Sorry. It’ll be rough for you, won’t it?” he asked. “Not getting to play and having to ride the bench?”
Emmett stared down at the drink he’d barely touched. Watching his teammates play without him would suck. He should be out on the court, and having to ride the bench would normally be his sole focus if it weren’t for Jinny taking center-stage in his thoughts.
Tomorrow would sting. No doubt about it. The desire to pick up a ball, run out on the court, and charge toward the hoop was so deep, nothing could dull it. Physical therapy and time spent with Jinny had been a distraction, something to occupy him during the passing weeks, but nothing could fill the void of missing out on the thing he loved most.
“Yeah…it’ll be rough,” Emmett said, feeling the slightest bit of guilt that he hadn’t been completely honest.
“I don’t know how you’re doing it, but hang in there. Before you know it, you’ll be back in the game, fumbling the ball and giving up shots, and generally stinking up the court and playing crappy ball.”
Emmett scoffed. “You wish you had my turnover rate.”
“Maybe, but you’d kill for my defensive rebounding percentage.”
Emmett laughed, but the sound died on his lips as his thoughts drifted to Jinny.
“You sure that’s all that’s bothering you?” Dean asked, taking a sip of his drink. “Nothing happened on the way here, did it?”
Emmett’s gaze snapped to his. Act casual, he told himself. “Why? Did she say something?”
Dean shrugged. “Not about that, no.”
Emmett sensed there was something he wasn’t saying. “Have you talked with her since we got here?”
“I had dinner with her.”
Emmett stared at Dean, willing him to continue. After a few moments of silence, it became clear that if Emmett wanted more information, he’d have to get the ball rolling.
“Minus the part where her beater car broke down, the ride actually wasn’t half bad,” Emmett said, trying to coax him. “We got along for a change.” Especially the part where she wrapped her hands around my bare back and crushed her mouth to mine.
“I don’t believe it.”
“No. Seriously.”
Dean made a huh sound then asked, “What did you two even talk about? I can’t imagine you have much in common. I was partly shocked to see you both still in one piece.”
“We have more in common than you’d think,” Emmett said evasively.
Dean murmured a noncommittal response. “Well, the drive must’ve given her time to think. When we had dinner, she actually asked me for my advice. Imagine that.”
Emmett’s ears perked up. He took a sip of his beer and, over the rim of the glass, casually asked, “Really? What about?”
“It took some prodding, but apparently, she has feelings for someone.” Before Emmett could say anything, he continued, “And I don’t think it’s like with the guys she’s been dating the last couple of years. Those guys were all losers—”
“Yeah, you’re telling me.”
“I think it’s real this time, like it could be something serious.”
“Really?” Emmett’s heart thudded so hard in his chest, he wondered if Dean could hear it. “Who is he? Did she say?”
“All she told me was that it’s someone she works with,” Dean said in a wry voice.
Emmett’s lips curled as he struggled to stifle his smile. When he failed, he quickly brought the back of his hand to his mouth. “That’s crazy, huh?”
Did Dean know? Was he waiting for Emmett to own up to being that man? Somehow, Emmett couldn’t imagine Jinny telling Dean she had a thing for his best friend. Maybe he was just fishing—trying to see if Emmett knew anything.
“She asked me what I thought,” Dean said.
“And?”
“I think it could be tricky,” he said, swirling the liquid in his glass. “But it could really work.”
Hope flooded through Emmett. He exhaled in relief. “Dean, listen I—”
“I’m going to talk to Gabe.”
Emmett flinched. “Gabe?” No, Dean couldn’t think…
“Yeah. I mean, it’s gotta be Gabe, right? They’ve been having coffee together almost every week, and I’ve heard from some of the guys that she’s all he talks about. I guess he’s pretty smitten.” Dean’s lips flattened into a grimace. “I admit, he wouldn’t have been who I pictured her with, but he’s a good guy. They share mutual interests. After I thought about it, I realized they could be good together.”
“Jinny and Gabe?”
Were they talking about the same people? No. Just no. Gabe was the last person Jinny needed. She needed someone who challenged her. Someone to call her on her crap, to push her.
Someone who lit a fire under her cool exterior. She needed someone like him, not Gabe.
Dean was still talking, but Emmett wasn’t listening.
His thoughts drifted to Jinny. There was no way she had feelings for Gabe. How many times had Emmett seen them together? There was nothing there on her end. No fire. No spark. Not like when they were together.
“…so I figured I’d pull Gabe aside sometime this week. Tell him I approve and sorta give him my blessing to pursue her. I imagine he’s a little hesitant about what people will think since she’s his coworker now and I’m her brother, so—”
“Whoa.” Emmett pushed away from the counter, his head spinning. “Why would you do that?”
Dean shrugged. “Why not?”
Before Emmett could formulate a response, a warm body sidled up next to him. He glanced up to see the blonde had made her way over. She not so discreetly brushed her ample bosom over his arm. He pulled away like he’d caught fire, then ignored her and turned back to Dean.
“Uh, maybe you shouldn’t intervene. She doesn’t need your stamp of approval. I think she’s perfectly capable of handling herself.”
“I’m not saying she needs my opinion or approval, but she seemed kind of…I don’t know…torn up over it or worried or something. I figured I’d just make it a little easier on her. That’s all. Relax, dude.”
Dean’s gaze focused on something behind Emmett before someone tapped him on the shoulder.
Emmett sighed. The blonde chick, again? Couldn’t she take a hint?
He turned with a scowl, eyes blazing. “Not interested,” he snapped, and she blinked once, twice, as the words registered, then she scurried off.
Dean’s brows furrowed. “What’s with you?”
“Nothing, but you should know something.” He inhaled. Here goes nothing. “The truth is I—”
“The truth is, I’d rather have her with Gabe. I’ve seen the way some of the guys eye her in the fitness room and from across the gym. I don’t like it.” The muscle in Dean’s jaw pulsed.
Emmett straightened, his back stiff.
“I’d rather have her with him than for her to get tangled up with anyone on the team.”
