And there are two more vehicles parked at angles that make it look like someone tried to organize them and then gave up halfway through.
I audibly release my saved breath while beside me, Sutton leans forward in her seat. “That’s… a lot of cars.”
“Yeah.”
“Did you invite people?”
“No.”
She studies me. “Did they invite themselves?”
I pull to a stop in front of the guest house and cringe not knowing how she’s going to react to all the guys showing up. “I’m sorry.”
The front door opens and Boone steps out first. Then Jake, then Kyler. Then two more massive humans I recognize immediately as my brothers. By the time Orry and Bennett appear behind them, the porch looks like the offensive line assembled for a team photo.
Sutton slowly turns to me. “You brought the Avengers.”
“Nah.” I shake my head. “They’re just kids who enjoy playing tag.”
That gets her to smile. “This is a lot of football players for…” she peers into the back of my SUV, “what, like eight boxes and a few lamps?”
I rub my hand down my face. “They volunteered.”
“Did you ask them to?”
“No.”
“Did you stop them?”
“Also, no.”
She laughs under her breath again and I’m nothing if not grateful she has a sense of humor. “Great.”
I climb out of the SUV and walk around to her side. The second she steps out beside me, the porch goes silent. Every single one of them freezes. Eight grown men. Six-foot-plus athletes. All completely motionless and all staring at Sutton.
“Umm, Hi,” Sutton says to the group with a slight wave of her bandaged hand.
Slowly, their heads turn toward me and Boone lets out a low whistle. “Yeah.”
Jake nods. “Okay. I get it now.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Please don’t start.”
Kyler murmurs, a shit-eating grin on his face. “Too late.”
Boone jogs down the steps and sticks his hand out. “Hey. I’m Boone. Boone Maxwell.”
Sutton shakes his hand politely. “Nice to meet you. I’m Sutton.”
Boone winks at me and I elbow him in the ribs. Jake steps forward next.
“Jake Ward,” he says proudly. “Quarterback babysitter.”
“You’re not my babysitter,” I argue.
He shrugs. “Debatable.”
Kyler comes down the steps next. “Hi. I’m Kyler Adams.”
