She stretched out her long legs. “Where’s your other half?”
I jerked my head up. “What?”
She snorted. “C’mon. This is the first time I’ve seen you by yourself since you came here. You and Brody are attached at the hip. Lemme ask you somethin’.”
“Shoot.” The kids shrieking made me smile as they soared higher and higher on the swings.
“I know you and Blink are best friends, but you could go anywhere in the world. Why’re you here?”
A chill ran through me. Was she fishing for information? Did she know and think she was going to out me? Nonchalantly inspecting my nails, I shrugged. “Exactly for that reason. I’ve been everywhere—Europe, Asia, the Middle East. Believe it or not, I enjoy the quiet, peaceful life you all have here.”
“Bet it’s a lot different than New York City. You thinkin’ of settling down here? You could have your pick of the ladies.”
I chuckled. “I haven’t thought about settling down. I’m only twenty-five.” I decided to change the subject. “What about you and Tom? You guys travel?”
“Honey, I ain’t been outta this town in ten years.” She drank from her water bottle. “But I can’t complain. I’m happy running the Kitty Kat, and we have our house and dogs—neither of us ever wanted kids. Me ’n Tom are thrilled with how you and Brody have stepped up, and not only renovated the original shelter, but put this all together so quickly. You really made your mark.”
Aside from my football prowess, I hadn’t received much praise in my life. I almost didn’t know what to do with it. “Thanks, but I didn’t do it for accolades, and I know Brody didn’t either. It’s important to give back, and I’m happy to help. I have several favorite charities in the city I donate my time and money to as well.”
“Well, we sure appreciate it. What you’ve done here will make a whole lotta difference. We’ve already had inquiries from people who need a safe space.”
My heart sank. “I don’t know why I was hoping it would be empty for a while, but it’s here because of necessity.” I squinted into the sun.
“Unfortunately not. Like that couple there? He was injured overseas, and they’re scrambling to keep their house. He can’t work yet, and her income from working at the beauty parlor just don’t cut it.”
I peered at the man and woman, whose little boy had come running from playing on the swings. “Damn. I know them. That little boy is Jimmy. I met them when Brody picked me up at the airport. That’s terrible. You said they might lose their house?” At her nod, I got to my feet. This was fucking unacceptable. “I gotta go. I’ll talk to you.”
Leaving Janie, I strode away from the grounds, intent on making my way to Main Street. It wasn’t yet three o’clock, so I knew the bank should still be open, but I still jogged there. I was panting from my mile-long jog in the warm weather, and quite a few people stared at me as I took a second to enjoy the cool air on my flushed face.
“May I help you?” A customer service rep walked over to me.
“Yes. I need to speak to the manager.” His brows rose, and while I never used my fame to push myself into place, I didn’t have time for explanations. “Please. I’m Devlin Summers. I’d like to talk to him about some business.”
“Oh, of course, I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you.”
“It’s not a problem. Thank you.”
He led me to the bank manager’s desk.
An hour later, I shook his hand, my task complete. “Pleasure doing business with you. Please make sure they get the papers as soon as they’re filed, so they know the house is theirs.”
“I’m sure they’ll want to thank you. Can you leave your number, Mr. Summers?”
“I don’t want them to know. I’d like it to be anonymous.” I gave him a salute. “Have a great rest of your day.”
By the time I walked out of the bank, it was past the sun’s zenith. I could’ve called for a car to drive me to Brody’s, but I chose to walk and clear my head because despite my paying off Amber and Troy’s mortgage, I couldn’t get the earlier conversation with Brody out of my head. I hated that his mother thought I’d pushed him to make the change. I didn’t think that was the case. It was my suggestion, but it was a business decision as well. The Kings were paying him a lot more than the Lonestars. If I didn’t believe it would be a good career move for Brody, I wouldn’t have proposed it.
I walked and walked, leaving the town behind me and heading toward Brody’s house. Occasionally we’d go jogging, and I knew a path through the wooded area that avoided the main road.
Was I too pushy? Brody wasn’t the type to follow what I wanted. He made his own decisions. I might be the leader of my team, but Brody and I were equals in our relationship. I loved him so much, I wanted him with me, and knowing my team could use a player like him, I’d lobbied for him to join me, even though he’d never indicated that he wanted it.
I stopped at an open space where a stream of crystal blue water rushed by, and I splashed my overheated face. A startled deer ran past me, and I smiled.
“Man, you are not on Mercer Street.” I took a seat on the leaf-covered ground and sat for a few moments, soaking in the sounds of the forest, listening to the birdsong and breathing. I understood why Brody loved it here.
Dripping with sweat by the time I reached his house, I made a decision. Brody might not be happy about it, but I knew it was for the best if we wanted to be together forever.
That was our end game, and I was damned if I’d let anything screw it up.
