Page 25 of One Night Valentine

“We’re doing good, Dad. I guess I should formally introduce you. Dad, this is Cruz Payne. Cruz, this is my father, Danny Brooks.”

They shake hands and start talking about the playoff win from the other night and Cruz’s announcement about retirement. “So what are your plans after football?”

Cruz sits a little taller. “Well, I had a few endorsement deals come in, and I signed a seven-figure deal on my book.”

“You did?” I gasp. “You didn’t tell me.”

He strokes his thumb across mine. “I know, I’m sorry. It all happened earlier, and you’ve had your own things?—”

I put my hand over my chest. “Oh Cruz, no! We should celebrate. Have you told Lexi? She would be so excited.”

His cheeks turn ruddy, and even though it’s obvious he’s excited, he’s embarrassed about the attention. His face goes from joyous one minute to defensive in an instant.

“Hey, Tara.”

I turn in my seat, and Ben, Grant’s brother, has pulled out the chair next to me, turned it around, and straddled it.

I lean toward him. “Ben, hey. I’m so glad you made it.”

He nods and looks around the room. “Yeah, it’s really not my scene, and Mom and Dad would rather I not come, but I couldn’t miss my brother’s first wedding, now could I?”

We both laugh and then I put my hand on Cruz’s arm. “Cruz, this is Ben, the good brother.”

Ben is a bigger guy, probably as big as Cruz. He’s got scruff on his chin, and even though they’re covered right now, I know he has tattoos up and down his arms. Ben holds his hand out to Cruz, and for just a second I think that he’s going to refuse him, but I squeeze his arm, and he shakes hands with Ben.

When they release each other, Ben leans toward me. “This is a shit show, right?”

I nod. “Yes, it is.”

He picks his beer bottle off the table and points it at me. “You holding up okay?”

I shrug. “Ready for this to be over.”

He nods and takes a swig of his drink. “Ain’t that the fuckin’ truth.”

He gestures between Cruz and me. “You two dating?”

Without looking at Cruz, I nod my head and answer shortly, not trusting myself to say more. “Yep.”

Ben smiles. “Good.” He looks at Cruz. “Watch her back. I don’t trust my brother. He’s ready to blow this all up.”

I point at myself. “I can take?—”

Before I can get it all out, Cruz interrupts. “I’ll take care of it.”

Ben nods, and when he stands up, so does Cruz. This time, Cruz sticks his hand out. “Thanks for the heads up.”

When they release their hold, Ben looks at me. “Lexi coming to the wedding?”

I practically snort. “Nope, she wants nothing to do with Brynn or your brother. She’d probably stab one of them with a flower pick if she did.”

Ben smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Right, well, tell her I asked about her.”

“Sure thing.”

As soon as he walks away, Cruz breaks the silence. “Why is he asking about my sister?”

I look at Ben’s retreating back before answering Cruz. “Uh….” I start but don’t finish. Should I tell him that his sister met Ben at a tattoo shop? I’m not sure he’d like that.

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