Unexpected Rush (Play-By-Play #11)(45)

“Understandable, especially if you like to cook.”

Flynn grinned. “I do like to cook.”

They wandered upstairs. The house had three bedrooms upstairs, as well as two bathrooms. There was also an office with a balcony.

“It’s wonderful, Flynn,” she said, as he led her back down the stairs. “You’ve managed to keep the original beauty of the home, but you’ve modernized the areas that needed it.”

“Thanks. I like the place a lot. Come on, I’ll take you across the yard to the guesthouse.”

They walked out onto the back deck. He had a nice deck with a grill and plenty of seating, a fire pit in a separate gravel area, and a tiled path that led to what used to be a garage but was now a beautiful guest cottage with a small living area, bedroom and bath.

“No kitchen in here, but there’s a mini fridge and drinks are stocked.”

“It’s perfect.”

Barrett came into the cottage with their bags.

“Staying together?” Flynn asked with a raised brow.

“We are.” Barrett brushed past him without another word to set their bags down in the bedroom.

She and Barrett hadn’t discussed the sleeping arrangements for the trip. She wasn’t sure how much of what was going on with them he wanted his brother to know about. She supposed that question had been answered, and she was glad it would be in this cottage, and not a room next door to Flynn.

Flynn turned to her. “So when did you and Barrett become a thing?”

“Mind your own business, Flynn,” Barrett said. “How about a beer?”

“Sure.”

She was glad Barrett had jumped in on that conversation, because she had no idea how she would have answered.

They weren’t really a “thing.” They weren’t anything, actually, other than two people who knew each other and were having sex.

They defied a relational descriptive. They weren’t dating, they weren’t a couple and she absolutely would not define herself as Barrett’s booty call. It was nothing like that.

It was . . . well, she had no idea what it was. And now, thanks to Barrett, she wouldn’t have to label it.

She followed them back into the house.

“What would you like to drink, Harmony?” Flynn asked. “I have wine, beer, or I can make you something harder.”

“Actually, it’s a little early for alcohol for me.”

“Never too early for alcohol,” Barrett said, shooting a grin to his brother, who grinned back.

“I also have iced tea,” Flynn said.

“That works.”

He poured her a glass of iced tea, including slicing a lemon for her, which Harmony said wasn’t necessary. Flynn ignored her and they took a seat at the table.

“Where’s Tess?” Barrett asked.

Flynn shook his head. “We broke up.”

“Oh, sorry man,” Barrett said. “I thought things were going well between you two.”

Flynn shrugged. “So did I.”

Harmony wasn’t going to ask. “I’m sorry, too.”

“Thanks.”

“I recently broke up with someone, too. It sucks.”

“Oh, so Barrett is your rebound, huh?” Flynn asked with a smirk.

“Hey. Fuck off. I am not.”

Flynn leaned back and took a long swallow of beer.

“Uh-huh.”

“Really, he’s not,” Harmony said. “And you might be deflecting to get off the topic of your own breakup?”

“Ohhh, she burned you, Brother.” Barrett slid a sly grin in Harmony’s direction.

Flynn narrowed his gaze at Harmony. “Fine. Topics of relationships are off the table for now.”

“Agreed. How’s the restaurant coming along?” Barrett asked.

“Finalized the purchase of the property, gutted it, and they’re already starting construction on the place.”

“Have you come up with a name for your new restaurant?” Harmony asked.

“Yeah. Ninety-Two.”

Barrett’s lips ticked up. “Your jersey number?”

“Yup. It was my college jersey number and my pro number. So far it’s been lucky for me. And this way the restaurant doesn’t have my name on it.”

Harmony took a sip of tea, then set her glass on the table. “Why don’t you want your restaurant to bear your name?”

Flynn shrugged. “First, I don’t have that big an ego. Second, I think it’s better to be subtle. The food should speak for itself. I want people to come in because they like the food and the ambiance, not because they think I might be in there—which frankly, I probably won’t be. My goal is to let the talented people run the place.”

“But you’ll have some say-so on who runs the place, such as chefs and management, right?” Harmony asked.

“Yes. I’ve already hired someone to manage the place, but he and I will work together on the rest of the hires. I’m no world-class chef, but I know food and I know what I want as far as people cooking for me.”

“So you have some ideas on chefs?”

“I have a few ideas.”

“In other words, you plan to steal from your competition?” Harmony asked.