Page 30 of Home Game

Storm nodded. “Sawyer had contacted me about going over some initial backyard landscaping ideas, and I said I’d be happy to swing by.”

I’d never seen Storm dressed like he was today. He was in a fitted, light grey-blue button-up shirt and nice dark slacks. His hair was still a bit ruffled on top, and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to expose his forearms. But with the nice clothing, he looked every bit like a movie star off duty.

He lookedgreat.

“Wow, what a surprise,” Tad said, walking over to introduce himself. “You seem even taller in person. I must admit, Storm, you helped me win my fantasy football league last year while you were still playing in Texas.”

“Glad to hear it,” he said. “I didn’t love everything about living in Texas while I was on the team, but I always tried to play my heart out.”

Tad frowned. “Oh, no? They’re my team. I have a winter home out in Texas. Love the land, love the people.”

My mind was like a repeating loop.

Storm, for the love of God. Don’t. Say. Anything bad about Texas.

“Winter home, huh?” Storm said, and I could see something flash behind his eyes.

Fuck. Don’t say anything bad about rich people, either, please?

“Oh, yes,” Tad continued. “Texas is beautiful in winter.”

“More of a summer guy myself, but I know what you mean,” Storm finally said. “There definitely is a lot of beauty in the land there.”

I felt like I’d just gone up and down a roller coaster about six times in a row. The excess caffeine was still coursing through me, and I couldn’t take it anymore.

Storm looked over at me and caught my eyes, giving me a look up and down that made me molten at the core.

Happy now?his look said, as if he’d given me some gift by not picking a fight with Tad.

“Well, my second favorite team is of course the Ferals,” Tad said with a polite smile. “I’ll always be rooting for you guys as long as you’re not up against Texas.”

He chuckled and Storm smiled. “Pleasure to meet you, Tad. I should go find Sawyer now.”

“Thanks for peeking in, Storm,” Shawn said.

Storm turned to leave the room but just before it, he turned back, looking at me.

He caught my eye and, in theleastsubtle way possible, blew me a kiss.

Blew me a fucking kiss, like he was Marilyn Monroe.

He left the meeting room as my cheeks flushed hot.

“I can tell he’s quite a character,” Tad said.

For God’s sake.

After we’d walked Tad out to the front and he’d gotten back in his car—he had the same Porsche as me, although his was blue—Shawn and Nathan turned back to me.

“Happy hour across the street?” Nathan asked. “Got any time, Emmett? Our friend Chase has his brother Jamie in town, and he’s both gay and single. Just sayin’.”

I glanced across the street at Jade Brewery, its now familiar cabin-like front entrance and big back patio surrounded by trees.

The truth was that Ididn’treally have time. I almost never did. Without even looking at my calendar app on my phone, I could name at least six different things I should have been working on tonight instead of heading over for a beer at Jade Brewery.

But after this afternoon—after this whole week, honestly—I felt like I’d stuck a fork in an electrical socket.

I was spent.

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