My eyebrows smash together. “Is that some kind of euphemism? Because I don’t get down like that.”
Before she can answer, the front door opens and two toddlers run out, a boy and a girl. Jordie sprints through the grass and grabs them up, kissing their little faces, much to their delight.
Reno and Juliette follow, both smiling at the sweet scene. Then Reno spots me, a look of confusion on his face. He stops to hug Jordie before walking out to the driveway to greet me.
“Phoenix, how you doing?”
“I’m good, Reno. You?”
He rubs a hand over the top of his head, his expression unreadable. “Good. Just wondering what you’re doing here with my sister-in-law.”
“I drove her up here,” I say vaguely. “You think we could have a chat?”
Suspicion clouds his blue eyes but he nods and gestures for me to walk with him around the side of the house. That’s when I see the paddock with two little goats in it.
Aha. I get it now.
“Nice goats. Are they pygmies?”
Reno’s face brightens. “They are. You want to meet them?”
I put some enthusiasm into my voice. “Of course I do. I love goats.” Not a lie but not entirely the truth either. The only goat I’ve ever been around was when I took Reece to a petting zoo, and that little fucker shit on my shoe. The goat, not Reecie.
We enter the paddock, and I’m introduced to Billy and Jean. Reno points at the larger one. “Billy is the male, and Jean is the female, in case you didn’t want to check their undercarriages.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “That’s something I try to avoid at all costs.” I let the animals sniff my hand before petting their coarse fur.
Reno leans against the fencing and levels me with a look. “Let me guess. You’re dating Jordie.”
“Yes,” I reply simply. “I am.”
He blows out a sigh. “Figured as much. It’s the only explanation for why you’re here with her.” Shaking his head, he grumbles, “I’m not sure how to feel about that.”
“She’s happy,” I say. “Isn’t that enough?”
Reno stares off into the distance for a long minute while I continue to pet Jean the goat. It’s oddly comforting.
When his eyes come back to me, his look is earnest. “I want her to be happy. Can I ask what your age difference is?”
“Nine years,” I say.
His nose wrinkles but only for a second. “I guess that’s not too bad. Jordie’s always been more mature, even though everyone else in the family acts like she’s still a kid.”
“She has a career, her own place, and pays her own bills,” I point out, and Reno rubs his jaw.
“Growing up in the sports world, especially at the level we play at… well, you grow up pretty fast.” His eyes narrow on me. “How long have you two been together?”
“We met in May, and I helped her with some contract stuff when she was looking for a new agent. Everything was strictly professional in the beginning but…” I shrug. There’s no way I’m going to tell him she asked me to take her virginity and I complied, so I settle for, “There was a mutual attraction. We had some dinners together as friends and then decided we wanted to date.”
“I’m guessing if you’re here with her, it’s pretty serious.”
“As serious as it can get,” I confirm. “I’m in love with her.”
Reno’s gaze sharpens. “She’s not pregnant is she? Because if she is, you better start running before Bubba gets here. I got his other sister pregnant, and I thought he was going to kill me, even though we’re friends and teammates. And Jules and I are a lot closer in age.”
“She’s definitely not pregnant,” I assure him. “I just meant we’re thinking long term, and I plan to marry her.”
Reno’s lips twist to the side before breaking into a reluctant smile. “Okay, Hale. If Jordie’s as happy as you say she is, I don’t have a problem with you. I know she’s grown and doesn’t need anyone’s permission, but family is very important to her, and I don’t want to make it harder on her by not accepting her decision to be with you.”
