Page 6 of Fumbled Beginning

“I feel like we need to set some ground rules,” I said with a hell of a lot more confidence than I was feeling.

“It’s cute that you think a set of rules will stop me.” He crossed his arms. “Don’t forget I read playbooks for a living. I know how to intercept rules and turn them to my advantage.”

It was an act. It was all an act. It had to be because if it wasn’t, then I was in big trouble.

“JP, you are forgetting that we are playing a different game. I’m playing for keeps, you’re playing for fun.” I tried to keep the waver out of my voice while reminding him we wanted different things. “I’m looking for a relationship, that’s why I go on these dates.”

“I might not be an expert on relationships, but I know you’re not going to find the guy you’re looking for through a casual hookup.”

“A girl has to start somewhere, right?” I grinned, my eyes shining at the scowl on his face.

“How often do you go on these dates?” he snapped, and I wanted to laugh at the vein popping out of his forehead.

I felt guilty for egging him on, but I would not fall stupid to his charms or handsome face. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

He laughed. “I’m not so sure about that.”

I was just about to ask him what he meant when I heard my sister-in-law’s voice approach from behind me.

“Oh, there you are, Rylee.” I tore my eyes away as she shuffled forward with my nephew against her chest.

Zander poked his head up and gave me an adorable smile. He was looking more and more like my brother every day. He was all dark hair, big brown eyes and a ball of energy, just like his daddy. “Look at you, handsome.” I pulled on his Atlanta Arrows jersey, noticing his rosy cheeks and toothless grin. The kid was so stinkin’ cute. Although when I held my hands out and tried to pull him from his mother’s arms, he wasn’t having it.

“You know he only does this when you’re around, right?” I huffed out at Kinley.

She yanked a piece of hair out of his tiny fist. “Don’t take it personally, Auntie. He’s ready for a nap.”

JP lightly pressed his palm on Zander’s head. “He didn’t mind hanging out in my lap for the last hour.”

Kinley giggled. “You are such a shit stirrer.”

“Me?” He took a step back when he noticed my narrowed eyes. “You were just commenting earlier on how well behaved I was at the vow renewal ceremony.”

She shook her head. “I take it back. You were in a church, you had to be.”

He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. My eyes went to his muscled forearms and the sleeve of tattoos covering his skin. When I glanced up, he lifted a brow.

“Is there anything you want to add to this conversation, Rylee?” He smirked.

“I was told as a child that if I didn’t have anything nice to say, to not say anything at all.”

He looked amused. “Hasn’t stopped you before.”

Kinley’s eyes bounced between us. She was smiling from ear to ear.

I shifted on my feet. The tension between us was obvious, and I couldn’t have been the only one feeling it. “Well, in that case, the night is still young. Give me time.”

The room erupted in laughter. JP inclined his head to his friends. “I’m going to grab a slice of pizza before the guys demolish it all. Can I get either of you anything?” he asked us.

We both shook our heads, letting him know we were all set. He ruffled Zander’s hair, winked at me, and walked away. I couldn’t help but stare at his ass as he made his way over to the group. They were all huddled around the kitchen island, fighting over the open pizza boxes on the counter.

There were times I still couldn’t believe my brother was one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Most women would be starstruck around these men, but I was used to them.

What I wasn’t used to was feeling that flock of butterflies in my stomach every time I came in contact with a certain wide receiver.

I was not the type of woman who got swept away by a jock. I was the opposite. I was careful. I was picky. I liked men who had manners. I liked men who used my name instead of a stupid, childish nickname. Sunshine wasn’t cute unless you were a toddler. It wasn’t sexy, and I wouldn’t consider it affectionate. So why did I get all soft and gooey inside whenever he used it?

I watched him laugh at something Rhett said. And when he flipped his hat backward, I felt my knees go weak. Every woman had a weakness; mine was a hot guy wearing a backward ball cap. It screamed confidence and sex appeal.

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