Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(31)

“He was only about an inch taller than me, so about five foot nine. Definitely not over six feet like you. You’re a beast.”

“A sexy beast,” Derek corrected from across the aisle.

Brianna looked over at me and rolled her eyes. “I swear, by the way they talk you’d think they were gay.”

Everyone chuckled, but then it was time for takeoff. While the stewardess went over the usual flight instructions, Evan took my hand and kissed it. I leaned into him and placed my head on his shoulder. We were on our way to Arizona for the weekend game. Lara and Grayson were managing the restaurant for me so I could get away. I was due for a vacation.

Once we were up in the air, we could finally hear each other over the roaring of the engines. “Who all have you invited to the party on Wednesday?” he asked curiously.

Lifting my head from his shoulder, I sat back in my seat and smiled. “I, personally, have invited some of the guys on the team and told them they could bring dates. Lara and Grayson are inviting some of their friends.”

“What about your family? Are they coming?”

With a wide grin, I nodded. “Usually my mom can’t get off work during the week, but she and my dad are going to come down for the day. I haven’t seen them in so long. They’ll be excited to meet you.”

“I hope so. What about Grayson’s family? Will they be there?”

By the look on his face, I could tell he was worried. I reached for his hand and squeezed. “They already know we’re together, Evan. They’ll be happy for us, I promise. You have nothing to worry about.”

He blew out a sigh. “You sure?”

I giggled and squeezed his hand harder. “I promise. Everything will be perfectly fine. They’ll love you.”

“Okay, I trust you on that. What about your doctor? Are you going to invite him?”

“Well, he’s not exactly my doctor anymore, but I think I should probably invite him. I’ll call him as soon as we get back into town. You haven’t told Luke, have you? Lara gave me strict instructions not to invite him.”

He shook his head. “I figured that. I just wish he’d get his head out of his ass.”

“One day he will, but it’ll be too late. He can only blame himself then. I’m just thankful you’re not like that.”

“That’s because when something perfect is in my reach, I’m going to grasp for it and not let go. He just hasn’t realized that Lara is perfect for him. One day he will.”

“I think it might be too late,” I confessed.

He glanced over at me, eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I think Lara and Grayson are seeing each other now. They haven’t publicized it yet. I don’t know if they will or if this is just a lonely phase they’re going through.”

Groaning, he leaned his head against the seat. “Oh, hell, Luke’s not going to like that. But I guess he’ll get what he deserves.”

That he would, but I was also afraid Lara had turned to Grayson for the wrong reasons. She was old enough to lead her own life and make her own decisions, but I wondered if it would blow up in her face. I could only hope they knew what they were doing.

The plane landed safely in Arizona and we rented a large SUV. Derek and Brianna sat in the very back, while Cooper sat in the middle with Gavin. Kate was too far along in her pregnancy to fly, so she had stayed at home. I could tell by the look on Cooper’s face that he was worried about being away from her. As soon as the game was over, he was going to catch a plane back home.

Once we pulled up to the hotel, everyone got out and Evan grabbed our bags. “We going out tonight?” Derek asked excitedly.

Cooper shook his head and slung his bag over his shoulder. “I’m not.”

“We all knew that, old man,” Derek chuckled, slapping him on the back. Cooper said goodbye and retreated inside. “You in, Gavin?”

“You know it. Maybe I’ll get lucky and score some * tonight.”

Brianna scoffed and rolled her eyes. “I guess that’s the only thing you’ll be scoring, since you can’t get any touchdowns.” Shaking her head, she came to stand beside me. “Why do they have to be such perverted hornballs? I swear, all they think about is sex.”

“Not all of them are like that,” I whispered in her ear.

Her eyes went wide. “Are you trying to tell me you and Evan haven’t…?” I shook my head in reply. “Wow. From as much as you two have been together, I figured it’d happened by now.”

“I’m glad it hasn’t. It’s good to take things slow.”

“Well, honey, good for you. I’m sure it’ll happen this weekend, though. I’ve never stayed at this place, but from what I can tell it’s the epitome of romantic. I don’t think you’ll be able to resist.”

She winked at me and grabbed Derek’s hand so they could go inside. After the valet took the keys, Evan joined me. Brianna’s words echoed in my mind. I don’t think you’ll be able to resist. A part of me knew it might happen, and it scared me. I hadn’t had sex with anyone other than Austin.

“You okay?” Evan asked.

“Yes,” I blurted quickly.

“What were you and Bri whispering about?”