Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(4)

“Great. That’s what I needed to talk to her about. I’m assuming I’ve been approved to help out with the team?”

Summer was so reserved, I was shocked that she even wanted to help out with the guys. A lot of them were wild—untamed—and most of them didn’t know her life story like I and a few others did. One thing was for sure, they wouldn’t be gentle around her. When Kate had told me she was going to be working with us, I knew I’d have my work cut out for me.

“As of right now you are. Not unless you get arrested in the next couple of days.”

She laughed, and it was one of the most beautiful sounds I’d heard in a long time. She didn’t do it often, but when she did it was amazing. I knew everyone wished she’d do it more, especially me.

“Are you sure you can handle the guys? They can get a little rowdy.”

Pursing her lips, she crossed her arms over her chest, amusement in her blue gaze. “I think you’re forgetting I own the restaurant you guys frequent. I’ve seen you all drunk. I think I can handle it. Thanks for your concern, though.”

“Yes, but not all of them are respectful like me.”

She snorted. “Evan, I spent years around MMA fighters, going to matches and watching them train with Austin. They’re a different breed, but I’m sure they’re about the same as you football players. I may be a little out of practice, but I have a mouth on me when I need it. Where do you think Lara learned it all from?”

“I have to say I’m intrigued,” I said.

“Yo, Townsend, hurry up, dude. We don’t got all day.” The door to the gym opened and I looked over Summer’s shoulder at Derek McLaughlin. A sly grin appeared on his face when he noticed me talking to her. He was one of the fiercest linebackers on our team, the Carolina Cougars.

When she turned to look at him, I flipped him off and glared. He got the picture and smiled at Summer before ducking back into the gym. She laughed and faced me again. “All right, I guess you need to go. I didn’t know you worked out at that gym. I figured you all would have your own equipment in your homes or at the stadium.”

“Most of us do, but I like the motivation of being around others for a change. The team helps each other out, though. You’ll see what I mean when you work with us.” I stepped around her and started for the door. “Take care, Summer.”

“Same to you,” she replied softly. As I opened the door to the gym, I watched her walk down the sidewalk and disappear around the corner.

Derek bumped me in the shoulder. “Really, Townsend? You know you’re not going to land a touchdown with that. You won’t even be able to gain one yard.”

“That’s not what I’m doing, shitdick,” I snapped, slapping him upside the head. “We’re just friends.”

Derek raised a red brow and shook his head. “Didn’t look like that to me. I haven’t ever seen her smile at me like that.”

“Maybe it’s because she knows you’re too far up Brianna’s ass.”

“And other places, too,” he chided with a wink. I rolled my eyes and went straight to the weight bench. Brianna was one of our team’s cheerleaders and a good friend of my sister’s. She and Derek had been dating for a year. Out of all the cheerleaders, Brianna was the only trustworthy one. She wasn’t like Lindsey, whom I had dated for a few months, at the time thinking that if anyone f*cked up it would be me. I was wrong. She cheated on me while we were at an away game with a player from the opposing team and then f*cked around with Jax, a guy who was supposed to be my teammate. I wasn’t one to talk shit about women, but she was a worthless bitch.

“I’m going to need your help to make sure the guys stay away from her,” I said. “She’s going to be with Kate a lot in the next couple of weeks helping out the team. The last thing she needs is one of the guys trying to f*ck with her.”

Lying back on the bench, I wrapped my fingers around the bar and was about to lift when Derek’s face loomed over mine, his smile wide. “You just want them out of the way so you can make your move. You can’t fool me, Townsend. You’re hard up over her, admit it. You always have been.”

I snorted and shook my head. I did want her. “It doesn’t matter anyway. She doesn’t want a guy like me.” I didn’t know what she wanted, but I was sure as hell going to find out.





Chapter 3


Summer


“Well, you’re looking different this morning,” Lara quipped. “Is that a smile I see on your face?” She winked and sat down on one of the bar stools at the kitchen counter. Her blond hair was gathered in a messy bun and she had on a pair of cupcake pajama pants and a pink cami. What really got me was the way she focused in on me, studying me closely. “You got a hot date or something?”

Rolling my eyes, I poured her a cup of hot tea and set it down in front of her. “No, there’s no date. I’m actually excited about doing something different today. Are you sure you don’t mind taking the lunch shift? Kate says all I have to do is take the CPR class and I’m done for the day. I should be at the restaurant by late afternoon.”

She scoffed and waved her hand dismissively. “Please, I can handle the restaurant with my eyes closed. I think it’s awesome you’ve decided to break out of your shell. It shows that you’re finally moving on. I’ve missed my sister.”