Scored(11)

“Oh, and Aiden, you’re losing, so I suggest you start upholding your end of the bargain,” I remind him.

“Soon as you find the girl and let me meet her, I’ll start spending quality time with Junior,” he says before finishing off his glass of scotch.

“Consider it done. Next time, don’t be a dick to a woman simply because you want to win.”

Aiden smirks. “Says the guy who’s going to use a woman so he can win.”

I don’t have a response to that, because he’s technically right. I do plan to do that… Except it occurs to me that neither of us said our challenge had to be a secret.

“Hey, a guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. Am I right?” I high five Colin and Fred, purposefully leaving Aiden out. “Night, fellas.”

*

Once I’m back in Raleigh, I drive straight home from the stadium. After I change out of my suit and into semi-dressy clothes, I shoot off a text to Sam.

Me: Need to go by the library. Wanna come?

Sam: Yup.

Me: I’ll pick you up in ten minutes.

Sam: Ok.

Just as I get in my Escalade, my phone buzzes and I hit my Bluetooth.

“Hello?”

“Drake, get your ass down to the library and book the event space before someone else does. Layton and Paige will help you with whatever you or your party planner needs.”

I grin. “You must have read my mind because I’m on my way there now.” I don’t tell her I’m picking up Sam on the way so he can run interference with Nolan if I need it. I love my fans, but I can’t get distracted by him again, or let Paige pretend to be on hold until I have to leave.

“Good. As soon as you have firm dates, I’ll get some buzz going for the event. I think this could become a huge thing in Raleigh, if we advertise it right.”

“It’s a charity event with world-class food, amazing music, and NFL players. What more do people want?”

“A silent auction, maybe a bachelor auction… make it more about them and less about you,” she suggests.

“It’s the Dallas Drake Foundation. How in the hell isn’t it about me? It’s not, but you know what I mean,” I bite out.

“Of course I know what you mean, but do you want to make a lot of money or not?” she asks.

What kind of question is that? “Yeah.”

“Then make the event a celebration about the people who are willingly giving thousands of dollars to your foundation. It’s your privilege to host them, not the other way around.”

“You have a point,” I admit grudgingly. “I’ll try it your way. If it goes well, then we’ll do it your way each year after that.”

There’s silence on the line. After a beat, I ask, “You there?”

Finley clears her throat. “I’m here… only a bit shocked you agreed with me.”

I should be offended, but I’m not. I’ve made Finley earn her money over the years with some of the stunts I’ve pulled. Yes, they’ve been good-natured and no baby-momma dramas or ex-girlfriends burning down my house, my car, or my jersey, but that being said, I know she’s tired of my partying ways, of constantly worrying I will have those dramas and burnings.

“My foundation means more to me than my career, and almost as much as my family.” I don’t go into the reasons why. Don’t want to because it brings up so many sad memories of my brother, Denver. “I’m willing to try another way of doing things if it means more money to help sick kids and their families.”

“That’s… that’s good to know,” Finley says softly, as if she’s apologizing for assuming the worst about me. “Anyway, I’ll text Layton to let her know you’re on your way.”

“No.”

“Why not?” she asks.

Because if your sister knows I’m coming, she’ll find a way to avoid talking to me. “I don’t want any special treatment. If I have to wait because someone got there before me, then I’ll wait.”

“Are you sure I’m talking to Dallas Drake?”

“Pretty sure,” I joke.

“Well, if this is the new you you’ve been promising me, I’m liking it. Maybe you can find a nice girl to date, too.”

If she only knew. Actually, if she knew who I had in mind, she’d serve me my balls for breakfast.

“Just don’t get any ideas about my sister or her friend Layton—she’s engaged.”

No way I’ll agree to not having ideas about Paige… Her friend, however… “Have you ever known me to go after any woman who wasn’t available?”

“No, but there’s always the first time.” She ends our call.

“Aggravating as hell,” I mutter as I exit 540 and take a left onto old Falls of Neuse Road. I crank up my favorite station, focusing on the music and the drive. In less than fifteen minutes, I’m pulling into a parking spot near the back. It’s not until I’m almost to the entrance that I realize I forgot to pick up Sam.

“Son of a bitch.” I grab my phone from my pocket and send an apology text.

Sam: No problem. I can work on my passes instead. I’ll catch you next time.

Nothing bothers that kid. Ever.

Me: How did things go with Jasmine? I don’t want the dirty deets and Sam’s not the type to share them, but I, at least, want to know I did him a solid so I feel less like shit for blowing him off—unintentionally or not.