After that brief catch-up with Nix and the staring contest with that unknowing ex-lover of mine, I’d ridden my BMW S 1000 RR back to the Bayberry, where I was staying. Feeling nostalgic as I drove by an old haunt, I used to frequent with my brothers, the Touchdown Tavern. When I steered into the parking lot beneath the hotel, I called Phoenix back and arranged to meet him there later that night.
I left my bike next to my car in the basement parking lot of the building. Lisa, my PA, and Mia, my Head of PR, slash Lawyer, had arranged for it to be delivered from New Jersey, so I had two modes of transportation. Having only just signed with the Patriots, I knew there would be press events to attend, and riding a bike in a suit was by no means comfortable.
I rode the lift to the suite I had rented for the next few weeks with a jumble of thoughts in my head. I wasn’t sure how long I’d stay there. Ma had offered me the use of my old room at the house, but I graciously declined. I’d already asked Lisa to start looking into my real estate possibilities. My contract with the Patriots was for four years, and so I had the option to rent or buy, depending on whether I decided to remain in Rhode Island after that time.
With the news on in the background, over the next hour or so, I showered, shaved, and dressed casually in jeans and a tee. After replying to a couple of contractual emails, I grabbed my baseball cap, a must-wear when the paparazzi were hounding you, and headed down to the basement to get my car.
When I arrived at the Touchdown Tavern, Phoenix was climbing out of an Uber. My biggest brother still carried himself with the confidence of a man who feared no one. I’d offered him a job when I was in New Jersey as my bodyguard, but he’d refused. Saying how he couldn’t leave Harper, and I got that. Nix was now a fireman and a damn good one from the number of lives he’d saved.
I didn’t really need a bodyguard as I could handle myself, but Nix put the fear of God in most men who made his shit list. Having him by my side would mean less time having to look over my shoulder.
“I had to drive by the Summer’s estate on my way. I could have picked you up?” I informed him as I locked my car with the fob. The lights flickered to signal that the alarm was activated.
“But that would mean treading on enemy lines?” Nix smirked.
“Funny,” I deadpanned, checking the handle of my Bugatti and sliding my keys into the pocket of my jeans.
“Lost the biker leathers, I see. What’s with the baseball cap?” Nix commented.
“A necessary evil,” I explained with a grimace, scanning the parking lot for any lurking press.
“Of course, I keep forgetting you're famous now. Get over here.”
Grinning, I walked over, fist bumped the giant, and pulled him in for another hug. My cap was pulled on tight to shadow part of my face. I couldn’t deal with the media that night. I needed some downtime with my brothers. Mia was doing a good job of ensuring that details about the hotel I was staying at were not leaked to the media, but I still needed to lay low.
“Your wheels are the tits, man,” my brother burst out enthusiastically as he eyed my baby’s paintwork.
“The tits?” I questioned with an arched brow. I knew what it meant, but the way Phoenix vocalized it amused me.
He took my expression as one of confusion as he added. “Yeah, sorry. I’m in with the kids these days, Harper keeps coming back from work with new sayings.”
“I see.”
“So, the translated version is ‘nice wheels,’ bro. You’ve got to let me take her for a spin sometime,” Phoenix stated with a whistle, almost foaming at the mouth.
I barked out a laugh. “Yeah, good one,” I replied, patting him on the shoulder as we made our way towards the entrance of the bar.
Nix gave me a puzzled look. “What’s so funny?”
“You made a joke. I laughed.”
My brother just muttered something about me still being a tight asshole.
We entered the bar, and a few people glanced toward us. Luckily, no one seemed to recognize me. Nix said hi to a couple of guys, but he didn’t introduce us. He knew the drill as he’d witnessed me being overwhelmed by fans before.
When we got to the bar, I raised a hand to the bartender. Phoenix then shuffled in beside me, still offended by my alluding to the fact that he would never get to drivemy car. “I have a license now, you know, and you used to let me borrow the Jeep all the time.”
I cut him a sardonic look as I ordered two beers. “Borrow is a stretch, and that was a fifteen-thousand-dollar vehicle. You don’t want to know what I paid for this one.”
He chuntered something under his breath as he placed his wallet on the bar.
“Drinks are on me,” I explained with a flick of my head.
My brother shrugged and put his money away. “Fine, but I’m getting the next round.” I found it amusing that the brother, who used to steal my car all the time, was proud when it came to job offers and money. I’d attempted to offer financial help to all my family, but they wouldn’t hear of it.
Shaking my head, I explained. “Don’t worry, I’m only having one, so you're off the hook. I need to be up early, and I’m driving.”
“You could always leave it here?” Nix suggested, glancing over his shoulder through the window and into the lot.
