CHAPTER 19
Knox
Cricket is asleep on my chest. I’m back at the apartment after enjoying my one day off in which Melody didn’t answer a single one of my texts.
My heart has been pretty full, and I won’t lie, I’m feeling pretty smug. My girl didn’t say a single shitty thing about me in her entire show.
She might be throwing up walls now, but it’s written all over the recaps. Her bridge is down, and I’m inside the castle. Holding my phone, I grin from ear to ear as I scroll through the comments on TMI’s latest article.
@TailgateTakedown says,QP used to roast K-Brad every week. Now she sounds like his publicist.
“Ouch,” I say under my breath. “She’s not going to like that one, Crick.”
@GridironGuru says,Cut the woke football therapy bullshit and give us football, warts and all.
“Playing good ball isn’t woke, Guru,” I chuckle, feeling great. “It’s badass.”
@PhantasyPigskinPro says,Why don’t they just fuck already and get back to the game?
My dick pulses at the thought. “I have no problem with that, Triple P.”
Edward enters the room, carrying a duffel bag in one hand and a coat thrown over his arm.
It’s late October, and the heat has finally broken. The Quarter is decked out for Halloween, and it’s my favorite time to be in the city. The leaves are starting to turn, and residents fully embrace their historically spooky reputation—not that they don’t always.
Hell, I’m pretty sure I saw a vampire driving home the other night.
“Are you going out?” I frown at the items in my cousin’s hands. “It’s kinda late.”
I’m playing dumb, because I don’t want to know what’s coming. Edward has never enjoyed the night life. He barely tolerates Cooters & Shooters, and he grew up there.
“In the morning, I will have been with you for ten days.” Leave it to him to have the exact count, down to the minute. “I’m certain you are over the hump. Actually, I was certain you were fine when I arrived, but I promised your mom.”
“You’re not leaving us?” I sit forward, holding the back of sleeping Cricket’s head. “We’re just getting into a rhythm.”
“I am not moving in with you. Your rhythm should not include my presence.” He places the duffel on the floor. “I have responsibilities at home. Your brother expects me to be there.”
“Austin is doing just fine. I’ll bet money on it.”
“It’s not about your brother. It’s about the team. Besides, you’ll be leaving for Minnesota in a few days.”
“Right—who’s going to watch Cricket while I’m gone?”
His brow furrows, and he looks down at the little girl sleeping on my chest. “I assumed you’d be taking her with you.”
“I can’t watch her while I’m on the field.”
His expression stills, and I almost breathe a sigh of relief. I can’t believe I caught him having not thought a situation all the way through.
“What about that manny?”
“Stan, the man only works out of New Orleans. You heard him. He has other clients. Stay with me through Minnesota, then it’s bye week.” I lean back with the baby. “We can go to Newhope together.”
“I drove my own vehicle.”
“We’ll convoy.”
His expression remains neutral, but I can see I’ve got him. “I’ll stay through the Vikings game, and then I have to get back.”
