Page 139 of Off Season

“Dad. It drives them nuts. It means you’re all grown up. Start calling him Dad until he stops calling you bug. That will teach him.”

She smiles as she nods enthusiastically. “Good idea. I will.”

I inwardly laugh, remembering how much our father hated the brief period of time we called him Dad. I love fucking with Tanner Montgomery. It’s my new favorite hobby.

My sister shakes her head as she mumbles to me, “You’re the biggest shit-stirrer of all time.”

“Thank you.”

“Not a compliment.”

I shrug. “Sounded like one to me.”

The game is finally underway, and we’re about to take the field. I have a highly specific individual handshake with each girl on the team. They didn’t think I could remember all twelve, but I showed them.

We win handily and are on to the championship game. As always, Harper puts on both an offensive and defensive display, the likes of which no one her age can match. I love her love of the game. Her mind is always in motion like mine was at her age.

She’s officially the first kid I’ve ever liked. Hmm…maybe Andie too.

CHEETAH

“If she can take getting a tattoo, she can definitely take it up the backdoor,” Daylen mutters as he complains about the woman he hooked up with last night.

I chuckle as I throw my cards on Tanner’s poker table and announce, “I fold. I think I might head out for the night.”

Daylen wiggles his eyebrows as he holds his cards. “Is that code for banging Kam? She’s definitely into backdoor action. She likes the freaky shit, no doubt. You can see it in her eyes. She’s got those crazy eyes.” He raises his hands in the air like he’s preaching. “When doth have crazy eyes, doth is a freak in the sheets. I think that was written in the Bible. The First Sluttippians, verse sixty-nine.”

I give him the finger. “Your proverbs are about as useful as a knitted condom.”

He laughs loudly while Tanner simply shakes his head. “You’re still with that batch of crazy? I don’t know how you stand her. All I want to do is muzzle her.”

My jaw tics. I hate it when he trashes Kam. I know they don’t get along, but he knows I care about her.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say something, but I don’t want to put a damper on an otherwise fun evening.

He looks at his watch. “Maybe we should call it a night. I have an early morning meeting with Sulley O’Shea.”

I notice Vance shift uncomfortably in his seat before Tanner continues, “I’m hoping to sign her even though I still don’t have anyone to lead my damn women’s division. I can’t have the biggest star on the planet come to play in Philly and not sign her as my client, but I really don’t have the bandwidth.”

I shrug. “Hire someone.”

“It’s easier said than done. I won’t hire just anyone. It’s a big dick job. I want a female attorney who understands sports at a high level, who also happens to not take shit from anyone. It’s a lot harder to find than you’d think.”

“Have you interviewed anyone?” I ask.

He nods. “Over a dozen women. None were right for the job, and I won’t settle. I met one the other night who spent the whole time asking me about Vance. I told her he’s impotent and to steer clear.”

Vance doesn’t even flinch. He’s a million miles away. I wave my fingers in front of his face. “Earth to Vance.”

He snaps his head up. “Sorry, what was that? Did you say it was important?”

Tanner shakes his head. “I said you’re impotent just to see if you were paying attention. Why did you wince when I said Sulley O’Shea’s name? Is she going to be a problem? I don’t need a problem client. No amount of money is worth that.”

Vance visibly swallows. “I haven’t spoken to her in years. We grew up in the same town. I was friends with her older brother, Finn.”

Something passes between Vance, Tanner, and Daylen. Clearly they have some sort of secret that I’m not in on.

Tanner slowly nods. “I didn’t realize the connection.” He gives Vance a look to suggest that they’ll talk about it later.

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