Girls' Night Out (Bad Boys) (16 page)

“Cory, I’ve got my head on.” He searched her face, and inhaled deeply. “At least now I have, after meeting you.”

How could he tell her that in growing up with a single mother and in the midst of so many other single women, he’d been given an up-close view and lesson while on the road traveling with a bunch of actors?

Overhearing years of conversations, he’d learned a thing or ten about how women thought and what mattered to them. But none of that seemed to count, standing in the hall of a hospital, and considering that he’d been half crazy upon seeing Cory this evening.

He’d basically given her a backstage pass into the realm of haywire behavior. Mix alcohol and drugs with stressed-out players, and what resulted wasn’t pretty. It was a side that no one beyond the locker room should see. By letting Cory into this part of pro football life, he’d given her ammunition to justify never wanting to see him again. What the hell had he been thinking?

Fuck. He’d not had a thought in his head when she’d appeared last evening outside the club, except to keep her close to him. Any normal man would have kept her from the place and never, ever admitted this side of playing professional ball existed.

“Damn, Cory. At least this way you know and can go forward with eyes wide open. I don’t expect this to be an easy ride. I promise I won’t be hanging out in a bar on Friday night or taking any woman besides you back to my hotel room. I was spiraling when I saw you last night, and didn’t want you to leave and chance hooking up with someone else. I should have found another club and taken you far away from Firefly. No excuses. It wasn’t my best moment.”

She seemed to take that in and consider his words. “Yeah. It was pretty out there.”

“Not every player is hell bent. You saw guys from all over the place. This isn’t what my team is known for, and I’m sorry if you think that’s all we’re about. If you want, come with me on Sunday. I can show you a whole other side, and then you choose.”

Cory squeezed his arms. “What’s going on Sunday?”

“For starters, you can meet my mother. And from there, we can hang out with a group of mine. A short visit, one I make when I’m in town. Later, there’s a team dinner.”

“Cory,” Gillian came flying down the hall. “Matthew Wade McLemore Jr. is here!”

“Oh golly. I’m an aunt.” Excitedly, she turned back to him. “Okay. Sounds fun.”

He kissed her soft cheek and then hugged her tight. “Baby, just give me a chance.”

CHAPTER 12

Seated in a rocking chair surrounded by her family, Cory smiled down at Isabella Sonya McLemore. Her niece was fast asleep, unlike her nephew. Matt Jr. wailed in Brett’s arms. He stood and slowly walk forward, and she expected him to hand over the baby to one of the several waiting arms. But he didn’t. Brett spoke low, in an assured tone, his eyes fixed on the baby’s face.

Whatever he said worked. Matt Jr. slowed his cries. The women in the room watched as she did, transfixed on Brett’s progress. If he’d walked on water, it would not have been as spectacular. Brett returned to the chair next to her, lowered to the seat, and met her gaze.

“He’s been letting the whole world know he’s not pleased with something.” Cory whispered.

“A baby boy’s job is to let the world know he’s arrived.”

“What in tarnation did you tell that little brute?” Cory laughed.

“Not much. We had a conversation about conserving energy for the big play. And how he’s causing a ruckus with the women.”

“Oh, I see,” she said, shifting position and crossing her legs. Brett’s gaze slanted down to her lap and then lower. The way he possessively devoured her with his eyes made her body clench. He had a power to unhinge her tightly sealed cocoon, tempting her to be wild. Even in a room filled with whispering women, talk of babies, diapers, formula, and scads of birthing stories, she was filled with the desire to tell him—or yell to whoever cared—yes. Heck yes! She’d be his, the woman he dated…exclusively.

“Cynthia, your turn.” Cory scooted toward the edge of the rocking chair.

“Let me.” Brett was already up and out of his seat. With his free hand, he reached down taking hold of her elbow. She rose, brushing up against him. The electrical current hadn’t lessened during the long night. Each time their eyes met, she felt herself go liquid, hotter than molten lava and ready to boil.

Sonya, Carolina’s mother, came over to Brett. “May I?” she asked. Her face gleamed with pride and her dark eyes flashed over to Cory. “Such beautiful babies.”

“They are. Isabella is an angel,” Cory whispered. Isabella slept peacefully. When the baby had been awake, she’d smacked her lips or smiled, showing off her cute dimple, the same one her daddy had. “Such sweetie.”

“And Matt Jr. is a handful.” Sonya laughed. “These children will never know what the inside of a bassinet is like. They are blessed.”

Cory nodded and carefully eased Isabella into the waiting arms of Cynthia, Carolina’s cousin. “She looks just like her mother and her daddy,” Cory said, smiling over at her brother who now appeared much more relaxed, sitting right next to Carolina.

“Heaven help Texas.” Cynthia laughed. “If she’s also got her parents’ stubborn streak, the men in your town won’t know what hit them.”

“Frankly, I’m still mystified,” Matt retorted, grinning from ear to ear as he hugged Carolina, holding up her hand. “She says jump and, well only a fool wouldn’t be more than happy to comply.” Her brother kissed his wife’s hand, the one that now displayed a sparkling diamond ring.

Matt had surprised Carolina with a beautiful ring made in celebration of the birth of his babies. A huge diamond surrounded by pink and blue topaz. For a man with the razor sharp ability to harness the goings-on of a cattle ranch filled with backbreaking work, he was forever sentimental when it came to his wife.

“I heard that, babe. If only it were true,” Carolina replied, stroking his arm. Her hair had been braided and she wore a light green dressing gown, appearing radiant after hours of labor. Matt looked down at her, proud as a Texas peacock.

“Darling,” Matt murmured, then kissed Carolina’s cheek. “You make beautiful babies. I love you and cherish the ground you walk on.”

Every woman in the room let out a collective “Oh!” Cory’s eyes stung from the obvious current of emotions flowing between her obstinate brother and her wayward sister-in-law. Who would have thought she’d be here a couple years after Carolina’s and Matt’s initial roller-coaster romance as a witness to the riches coming from never giving up on what felt right. No matter how messed up things might seem.

To this day, Cory’s family still believed she’d been the one at the hotel with Carolina’s god-awful ex-boyfriend. Her spine straightened. Oh jeez! That’s what she was sort of doing to Brett by letting idle gossip color her vision. What if he’d heard those rumors spun about Carolina’s ex showing up in Annona? So many people thinking it had been her in that man’s hotel room. It had been hard to hold up her head, and probably a big reason why her family was overreacting. Well duh! Another hotel hookup gone wrong.

But it hadn’t gone wrong…had it? She glanced over to Brett and her chest constricted. Last night in his hotel room felt so darn right, and she wasn’t ashamed, not one bit.

“Look, aren’t they beautiful?” Gillian held out another flower arrangement. Inside the room at least a dozen bouquets of flowers had already delivered. Gillian walked over to the side of the bed. Matt plucked the card, tore open the envelope, then handed the card to Carolina.

Cory nudged Brett, “Are you ready?”

“You mean leave?” His questioning gaze flickered and was replaced by the darkening of his eyes. “Do you want to come with me?” His question came out a low rumble that made the skin over her body tingle.

“I want to. Yes. They’re going to have to get used to the idea of ‘us’ sooner than later.”

“Well, alright then.” He pressed his fingers to the small of her back.

“We’re going,” Cory announced, making her way over to Carolina and her brother. They hugged and Matt smiled at her.

“Don’t do anything silly,” Matt whispered. “And if you do, try to keep it under your hat this time.”

She punched his shoulder. “Coming from one who lived in a glass house.” Turning from Matt, Cory met Stephen’s eyes across the room. For a second, she gazed at her other brother and Gillian. Both of them waved at her and Gillian sported a thumbs-up. She winked before turning back to face Brett.

He stood next to her and he held out his hand to Matt. “Looks like you’re set. A boy and a girl. Congratulations again.”

Matt rose from Carolina’s side and removed a cigar from his pocket, and extended it to Brett. “Take it easy.” Both men shook. Maybe not exactly friends for life, but a whole lot better since the first time.

Brett placed his hand on her shoulder as they exited the room. Her parents had gone down to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat. Not everyone could fit in the suite large as it was. Most of the cousins and friends from Gillian’s bachelorette party had gone back to the hotel once the babies had arrived. So far Ashley had not shown her face. Cory had heard a few comments and laughs in the waiting room, really snickers, as to her idiot cousin’s night. Apparently, it had only gotten a lot more shocking, to put it politely.

“I should tell my parents I’m leaving. You want to stay or come?”

“I’m not letting you out of my sight.” Brett smiled down at her and had her insides fluttering.

“Cory,” her father’s deep voice came from behind them. She swung around and sucked in a breath, staring at her parents coming down the hall. Her mother looked drained after spending the night at the hospital.

“Mama, please go to the hotel and lie down. Daddy, really.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Simmer down,” Daddy said. “We’re coming to see the babies and then we’ll go. So don’t start.” He came up to her and grabbed her shoulder, squeezing gently.

“We’re going, too,” she said softly, keeping her eyes trained on her mother. Watching her parents’ reaction, she hoped this news wasn’t going to be too much on top of everything else. She tacked on, “We’re getting hungry.”

“Jesus, I expect so. The cafeteria is good for coffee and such, but breakfast not so much,” Mama responded, stopping before Cory and smoothing a hand over her arm.

Seeing her parents before her, Cory let go a sigh, treading lightly when deciding what to say. She couldn’t throw her intentions into her parents’ faces, not when they both looked worn out. She doubted she’d ever be blasé about having a grown up affair.

“Brett,” Mama said. “It was good to meet you. I hope we see more of you soon.”

Surprise of surprises, her father patted his shoulder. “Son, take care.”

CHAPTER 13

Out in the parking lot, with his keys in one hand and his other tightly wrapped around Cory’s hand, he led her to his car. He squeezed his fingers, holding off from kissing her mouth. Damn, he wanted to taste her all over. “Baby, where do you want to eat?”

“Are you hungry?” she asked, licking her lips and staring at him with those incredible blue eyes where any second he’d lose himself. “For food?”

“Devious girl. So what you said back there a second ago was for your parents’ benefit.”

“My mama is sick, and even though I thought I could be just as grown up as all my brothers in openly seducing their girlfriends, I can’t,” she said, glancing away.

“Hey. If you want us to start again, I’m willing. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“I want us to get to know one another. I also want to feel your hands all over my body.”

They stopped at the passenger side of his car. “Spend some quality time with me. A couple of hours and then I’ll take you back to the hotel.”

“I’m game. Do you live in Dallas?” she asked, her eyes wide and innocent staring up at him.

God, when she looked at him like that, he had to concentrate on what to say. “Near enough. Come on. No one will bother us. It’s a little ways out, but scenic. If you like the country.”

“Impossible to deny my roots. I’m country to the core.” She laughed and pressed her hip against his leg.

The drive went by in a blip and he swung his car onto the last road before the rise on which his house sat. “Up ahead,” he said, pointing to top of the hill.

“Jeez Louise. That’s not what I imagined when you said country.”

“It fits the bill when I need to get away.” He drove forward and at this time of morning, the horses were out in the pasture, frolicking to warm up.

“How do you care for the horses when you’re away? They’re beautiful.”

He nodded, clicking closed the electrical security gate. “I’ve a farm manager. He comes by to feed the horses and my dogs when I’m away.”

“You know how to drive that tractor?” she asked, looking over to him.

“Hell yeah, girl.” He’d imagined, when the day came to retire, he’d think about some cattle and livestock. Maybe start small with goats or chickens. “I don’t just sit on the porch and rock.”

“We have a porch something like that with rockers. And I do know how to rock.” She laughed.

“I don’t come from ranching people,” he began. “Not like you do. I want to make this place my own. Put my mark on it.”

“Where did you grow up? You said you traveled.”

“I did, right up until high school. My mother was an actress. Stage. My father died in Desert Storm. My mother became ill and we moved in with my grandparents. During most of my childhood, I moved. This was the first place I’d actually set down my own roots as an adult.”

Even in his grandparents’ house, it never felt like his home. Their hushed whispers about their disappointment in his mother’s life—their only child—had kept him from reaching out to them with open arms. It had been hard when his mother bore their regret along with all her other frustrations. It had been too much, at a time when his mother needed unconditional love. During a time of coming to grips with learning that her health would not return, she should have had them to lean on. That was the past, and no need to mention it all to Cory with her supportive family.

“Well, you’re accomplished. Able to be citified and countrified all at once,” she said.