Page 60 of Hart Breaker

“Chillin’, I suppose.”

“How about you come spend some time with us and decide if football is really the direction you wanna head?”

“For real?” he asks.

“For real.” Tessa smiles. “We have a couple of townhouses we keep open for guests. All three of you are welcome.”

“This is an amazing opportunity,”—Beth smiles sadly—“and I know how badly he wants this, but Ryder is involved in some legal matters right now and will have to get permission.”

“Ava!” Lucas yells. “Sweetheart, this is Ryder Maverick and his family. We’re inviting him to Blue Valley for a bit, but he has a few hurdles to jump over to get there. You think you can help him out?”

Ava waves them over. “I can give it a try.”

“She’s a lawyer,” I whisper to Beth.

I glance back and see Hudson’s family all looking at me. When Jillian starts to smile and hides it by ducking her head into her man’s chest, I roll my eyes and wave them to the seats in the front of the box.

Jillian sits beside me, grinning. “I know a secret.”

“Those are good things to keep.” I arch a brow. “To yourself.”

Her guy chuckles.

She leans her head on my shoulder. “He adores you. Wants to put you on a shelf so no one ever hurts you.”

I feel my face start to burn.

Her man leans over. “Give her some dirt on him. She owes him.” He chuckles. “And not the whole stole-the-dress-thing; she already used that.”

“And I know he pierced his nips, and Hudson Junior, so?—”

“He what?” I whisper-hiss.

“Oh shit.” Nour chuckles.

“What did I miss?” Hudson’s brother rubs his hands together as he sits on the other side of me.

“Nothing,” I say.

“She didn’t know little Hudson was wearing a little crown.” Jillian grins.

“Hudson pierced his junk?” Roman’s girl, CeCe, asks.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Roman whispers.

“Rome’s the only one not pierced.” Jillian grins and then asks, “You have accessories?”

“My ears are pierced, and that’s as far as I’m going.”

Lo walks over and sits down. “Hey Jillian, CeCe, boys.”

“Where are the Brooks brothers?” Jillian looks behind her.

“Luke’s back there, and Jackson stayed back home. It’s hunting season, and he won't come out of the woods until it’s over.”

“Alone?” Jillian asks.

“Grandpa Jack and Uncle John are with him,” Lo answers like she knows who they are. Oddly, she does.

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