Damon—0.
Determined to get a grip, he circulated and grabbed a piece of cake to replenish his energy. On the way, he recognized Flash Flashman, a reigning quarterback who’d retired a few years ago, along with his brother, who’d also played in the league, if Damon wasn’t mistaken. Grant and Piper stood talking with them.
When they spotted him, talk stopped.
So of course he moved closer and smiled. “Gentlemen. Ladies.” He winked at Flash’s wife, a beautiful woman holding a plate of apple pie. “Wait. There’s pie?”
The woman laughed. “I made it myself. It’s delicious.”
“It is,” Piper agreed. “Becca runs Bragg’s Tea House.”
Delighted, he introduced himself and shook her hand. “Your cookies are the best I’ve ever tasted. But don’t tell my mom.”
She smiled. “Which ones?”
The other guy’s wife answered for him. “Gingerbread, I’ll bet. Hi, handsome. I’m Nora.”
“Nora Flashman,” the bruiser with her added with a grin. “I’m her lowly husband, Deacon.”
“Nice to meet you. Damon Sinclair.”
Flash scowled. “We know who you are.”
“Hey, I can’t lie. Your wife makes killer cookies.”
“Don’t mind him.” Becca rolled her eyes. “He’s upset because the Mavs have a leg-up on Sunday’s game.”
Damon blinked. “Wait. Are you guys playing?” He glanced between the large Flashman brothers, recalling something Piper had said about ex-footballers playing hockey. “I thought you two were into football.”
“We are,” Flash said. “But for fun, we’ve started playing ice hockey. It’s not as brutal?—”
“Not the way you play it,” Deacon muttered.
“—and easier for all of us to get together so no one has an advantage. Grant plays too. We didn’t want to play flag football or softball. Ice hockey puts us all on the same level.” Flash looked Damon up and down. “Until the Mavs got themselves a ringer to train them.”
Damon held up his hands, secretly amused. “Whoa, whoa. I’m just helping out a fan. He asked for some advice. I can’t play anyway. I’m recovering.” He pointed to his knee.
Nora frowned. “Oh no. What happened?”
“Tore my knee, but it’s healing. Gotta rest and not stress it though. I start heavier PT after Thanksgiving.”
“Is that why you’re in town?” Becca asked. “Recovering?”
“That and my parents were in a car accident. They’re mostly okay now, but I’m helping while they heal. That’s also why I’m drinking. A lot.”
They laughed.
Grant mentioned using Damon as inspiration for a villain in his graphic novel, and the topic of conversation turned to his new career.
And speaking of villains… He glanced over to see Marlie staring at him.
He narrowed his eyes, pointed to them then pointed those fingers at Marlie.
She grinned.
He lost his ever-loving mind and fell in love.
“That fucking gift,” he muttered.
