“I’ll drive you.”
The staff was cleaning and taking down the buffet. “I’ll grab a dry chicken sandwich. That should soak up the vodka.”
“Chris and I are meeting downtown for dinner tonight. Why don’t you join us?”
I stood from the barstool and feigned a smile. “Thanks. I don’t want to be a third wheel.”
“You wouldn’t be. Besides, you’re my favorite cousin.”
It was something I’d said to Grant.
“I’m your only cousin.” There were now fewer people in the suite. “Why don’t you invite him here for games?”
“Yeah, I’m not ready for that.”
“When you are, I’ll be here for you.”
Lip tilted his head. “You better be on the sideline. I saw how excited you were when you entered the suite. Keep that enthusiasm going.” He stood. “Are you okay?”
“Two-year itch. It needed to be scratched.”
“More like a crusty scab on your ass.” My cousin grinned. “And now it’s gone.”
Leaning closer, I gave Lip a hug. “Thank you.”
“Leigh will be thrilled,” he whispered.
One more look up at the TV. Fin was gone. The Titans’ coach was seated, discussing Pickard’s suspension.
CHAPTER 19
Vee
It was nearly six in the evening when I pulled into the parking garage beneath the Vine, the building in the heart of downtown Lexington. After graduating from college, I moved into a downtown apartment. A couple of years later, after I broke up with Kelcee or maybe it was Josh, I decided I wanted something more stable, something that was mine.
My three-bedroom and three-and-a-half-bath condominium had plenty of room to grow. As I exited my car, I realized that growing wasn’t something I was ready to do. I obviously didn’t want to leave my condoto live with Preston. However, when given the chance, I didn’t want him to move in with me either.
Waiting for the elevator, I closed my eyes.
Recent reports on Troy Dennison were promising. He was awake, talking, and moving. The doors opened, and I passed my key card over the sensor and hit seven, for the seventh floor. The doors closed. My reflection in the golden doors wasn’t filled with the excitement I had earlier this morning. My thoughts went to a hot bubble bath and a glass of wine.
The doors opened on the first floor.
As neighbors I recognized but didn’t know their names entered, beyond them I saw a familiar face. He stood a head taller than those around him. Without thinking, I pushed my way out of the elevator.
Fin.
The first floor of the Vine contained a bar, the Vine Club, and a five-star restaurant.
Was Fin on a date?
While I knew I had no reason to know the answer to that question or to be jealous, my rational brain was sinking in a concoction of play calls and post-breakup blues. I followed a few steps behind, trying to figure out if Fin was alone, with a date, or a group.
Inconspicuously, I moved with a group of women as they passed the entrance to the Vine Club. Through the large archway, I spotted Fin standing near the bar next to…
I blinked.
I knew the man at his side.
