Page 106 of Penalty to the Heart

“After some much-required groveling, I’m sure we can make that happen,” she continues to taunt.

“Groveling, huh? No way I can get out of that, huh?”

“Not a chance. Someone needs to keep you on your toes.” She winks playfully.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I confess, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek.

“What was that for?” she asks, surprised.

“Just me showing a little affection to the best sports agent in the game. I really did miss you, Piper. I’m glad that we’re friends again. I would have hated not having you in my life just because I couldn’t deal. I was a total asshole to you, and you didn’t deserve it. I’m sorry. Truly.”

Piper’s gaze softens, touched by my apology. Even though my words were heartfelt, she’s completely unaware the peck on the cheek was an intentional provocation.

And just as I suspected, not ten seconds after that chaste kiss, Trent shows up beside us, ready to pull his woman out of my hands.

“I was thinking we could go and grab some fresh air,” he says, protectively wrapping his arm around her waist. “It’s getting rather unpleasant in here.”

“I could go for some air.” Piper’s gaze shines back at him. “Are you okay on your own?” she asks me.

“Oh, I’m sure I can find something to entertain myself with,” I smirk, doing my best not to scan the room in search of Roxanne while Piper’s stare is still on me.

“Okay, then. Be good.”

“Aren’t I always?” I throw her man a smug wink.

“Donovan.” Trent nods curtly in farewell with a murderous, black gaze.

“Nichols,” I tease.

I watch Trent hurriedly pull Piper away while I remain rooted to my spot.

“You know… if you want your spot back on the team, you won’t win any brownie points with Nichols by putting the moves on his woman,” Nate announces behind me, making me aware of his presence.

“Trust me, big guy. I have no intention of making any type of moves on Piper.”

“Glad to hear it. I would hate to have to identify your body if it were the opposite. Trent doesn’t seem the type to let a man live if he so much as looked at his woman in the wrong way.”

“He does give off that impression, doesn’t he?” I chuckle. “And what about you? Are you as possessive with Lottie as Trent is with her best friend?”

“You better believe it.” Nate laughs, not one bit ashamed to admit it.

“I see that married life is treating you well.”

“Best thing that could have ever happened to me, I can tell you that much.”

“I’m happy for you, Nate. Truly. You deserve it,” I say in earnest.

“Thank you?” he says, staring at me in confusion.

“What? Do I have some goo on my face?” I ask hurriedly, wiping my face.

“No… it’s just that…” he struggles to explain. “I don’t know. You just look and sound different… almost… fuck, I can’t believe I’m actually going to say this, but you look like you’ve grown up.”

“You look surprised.” I laugh. “It was bound to happen eventually.”

“I guess. I just never expected to see it in my lifetime. Jack would be amazed if he saw you right now.”

My happy disposition goes south at the mention of my brother.

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