Page 90 of Irresistibly Risky

“Even so, you’re the team hero if Reyes can manage to get back on the field this season. The rookie is talented but very green.” He juts his chin toward the field just as the quarterback takes a sack. “See what I mean. He never should have taken that hit, and he should have thrown the ball away before he did. He not only cost the team a bad third down, he cost them field position for the resulting punt.”

I glance over at Asher, who is swearing, but when the kid comes running off the field looking forlorn, Asher grabs him, smacks the back of his helmet, and then puts his arm around him, saying something to him that no one else can hear.

“Do you think they’ll keep Asher?” I ask, since Dean has been with the team a lot longer than I have, and from the way he’s speaking, it sounds as if he has insider information I don’t.

“No clue,” he admits. “Everyone was surprised when they drafted the rookie as high as they did in the first round. Rumor has it, it was all Coach Cardone’s doing, but he kept Asher as his primary QB until Asher’s shoulder became a problem after that big hit.”

Huh. My eyes track over to the back of Joe’s head as he yells at some offensive lineman. “I thought Cardone wasn’t hired on until this summer.”

“He didn’t move here until shortly before training camp, but he had signed a secret agreement with the team before the draft back in April. That’s privileged information though. I’m not supposed to know about any of this.”

I turn back to Dean, my brows furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“They didn’t fire the old coach until two months after the draft.”

I shake my head. “Why wait if they made a deal with Cardone?”

He throws his hands up. “No clue. No one knows, and it’s all been kept very quiet. I only know about the deal because I overheard the owner talking on the phone with Joe before the draft. I was standing outside his office and heard everything. When Randolph realized I knew, he told me I couldn’t mention anything about Joe coming on or that Joe wanted the rookie in the draft as part of the deal.”

“Wow.” That’s all I’ve got. Admittedly, I don’t know much about football or how it all works for contracts and owners and coaches. Still, something feels very off about that.

About all of this.

The game continues, and I end up in the locker room with a wide receiver who I suspect tore his ACL in his right knee. Poor kid is devastated when I tell him I want to see him tomorrow at the hospital for an MRI. By the time I finish up with him, the game is over, and the locker room is filling up with players and staff.

I head for the exit only to have Asher grab my hand before I can leave, pulling me over to the side where no one can see us. He leans in and whispers in my ear, “Are you good if my friends come over this afternoon to swim, eat, and watch the later games?”

“Of course. My mom and dad will be there though, remember?”

“That’s fine. Grey loves hockey. He’ll pester your dad all afternoon.”

I grin. “He’ll love that.” I glance over my shoulder, and when I find we’re still alone, I plant a kiss on his cheek. “Congrats on a team win.”

“Thanks. It hurts but it also feels good, you know? A win is a win.”

“A win is a win,” I parrot. “See you at home, player.”

He leans in and presses his lips to mine, then releases me, heading into the locker room for the post-game stuff they do.

A couple hours later, we’re all up on the roof deck. I’m in the water with Mason, who is clinging to me like a monkey while I talk with Fallon, Layla, and Aurelia. In the weeks Asher and I have been together, I’ve learned this group is tight and they spend a lot of time together. I already knew Fallon from med school, but I’ve started growing close with her and the other women, which has been nice. It’s an added bonus of being in Asher’s life.

My mom is resting on a lounger with sunglasses over her eyes and a margarita in her hand. She loves being a grandma, but I don’t think she’s minding the break right now. All the men are over by the bar, watching the games, sipping on beers, and picking at the spread of food Asher brought in for everyone.

“How’d Asher do today?” Aurelia questions. I’ve noticed they’re pretty close. They have an easy banter with each other. Asher told me he used to flirt with her to get a rise out of Zax—one of his favorite hobbies—but that seems to have stopped now that he and I are together.

“He did okay, I think. I know it was hard for him.”

“I can’t imagine how it wouldn’t be,” she says. “That team is his life. I have no doubt it was good for him that you were on the field too.”

I shrug, swirling Mason around in the water. “I didn’t see him or talk to him much. He was doing his football thing, and I was doing my doctor thing. Though…” I pause, wondering if I should say anything. If what Dean told me means anything at all. “I don’t know. He’s been working his ass off, and I have no doubt he’ll make it back on the field this season.”

I just hope it’s with the Rebels.

“Zax has been trying to get him to come to New York at the end of the month for fashion week. He thinks it’ll help clear his head, but I don’t think Asher will walk the runway.”

I snicker. “I still can’t believe he models for Monroe Fashions.”

She laughs. “Are you kidding? He sells our clothes every time he’s photographed in them. Especially lately. He’s so hot right now.”

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