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“Did you know they make vegan butter?” Alex scrunched her nose as she examined the pie she had just pulled out of the oven. ‘They do,” she answered her own question, “and it’s not the same as margarine. That shiz does not bake well, apparently. Can you tell those are supposed to be leaves? I should have gone with the classic pinch crust. There is a reason it has classic in the title. Arg. Do I have time to start again?” Alex eyed the clock above the oven.
She brushed her hands against the sides of her legs. It was time to leave for Cut and Shoot but Alex had still not had a shower or packed her bag. She had insisted on sleeping at her own apartment last night so she could practice making pies. In the entire time he had known Alex, she had not made a single meal or expressed any sort of desire to bake but she was determined to make the perfect pecan pie for Thanksgiving. Cane put his bag on the floor. They would not be leaving anytime in the near future. He knew that look, Alex’s getting-shit-done look. There would be no stopping her until she was done.
“They all look great. And no, you don’t have time to bake another pie. We need to leave.”
Alex stood on her tiptoes and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. “I missed you, Corn Fed. You should have stayed here last night. I needed a taste tester.”
“Which body part? They all taste great. Want me to show you?”
Alex flicked him with a rolled-up dish towel. “Save your sexual harassment for later, I have a serious pie situation here.”
Cane tried not to smile but failed. She was taking meeting his family very seriously. Like everything else in her life, Alex was determined to do this well. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that the Clayburns were pumpkin pie people.
Alex pointed to the pie furthest from him. “I need you to taste this. I really wish you were here last night to taste it because now it is too late.” Alex didn’t wait. She took a spoon and dug into the center of the pie. “Here taste this.” She pushed the spoon to his lips. “What do you think?”
“Mmm,” Cane said after he swallowed. “It’s great. Now go take a shower and get dressed.”
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “Are you just saying it is good or is it goood? You won’t hurt my feelings. It’s not a family recipe or anything. I got it from a romance novel of all places. Great book by the way. Gave it three stars. I loved it.” She batted her eyelashes at him.
Cane shook his head. “The pie is great. Giving a book you like three stars is weird, but the pie is fine. Now let’s go.”
“I hardly ever give above three stars. Three is I loved it. Four is I want to take the book home to meet my friends and family and five means it’s my one and only and I will never love a book as much as that book.” She took in a deep breath. “What do you mean, fine?”
“It’s good. Now get in the shower.”
“Good, great and fine. You have used three different adjectives. Which is it?” Alex put her hands on her hips and gave him a hard stare.
Cane chose his words wisely. “I give it a ...three.” That was Alex’s idea of good, right?
Alex nodded. “A three.” She bit her lip. “I need at least a four here.” With another fork she dug into a second piece. “Try again and really try and experience it like you weren’t worried about me jumping in the shower.” She stuffed the pie in his mouth.
“Yes, definitely a four.” Cane nodded.
Alex’s shoulders dropped. “Okay, that’s good. We can work with that. What do I need to do to push it up to a five? Would you go with the rope, pinch, or leaf crust?” Alex gestured to the table. She had made five pies plus the one he had just sampled.
“Alex my mama said not to bring anything. We’re good. Any pie you bring is extra. Between her and Cheyenne, there will be enough food to last until the second coming. Now let’s go.”
Alex kept nodding but she wasn’t listening. “It needs ice cream. No. Cool Whip, it needs Cool Whip. Yes. That’s what it needs.”
“Okay, I’m sure my mama has Cool Whip.”
Alex tapped her lips with her finger. “Nope, ice cream. It needs vanilla Bluebell.”
“My mama has that, too,” Cane lied. He had no idea what his mom had but he did know that if they were late, Alex would have absolutely no hope of winning his mom over.
The announcement that he was bringing Alex home was met with some opposition from his mom. A lot actually. The words “over my dead body” may have been uttered. Cane didn’t bother fighting. He knew his mom. There was no coming back from the articles Alex had written. Katrina Clayburn forgot nothing. His mother would be civil. Manners were paramount for her, but she would make sure Alex knew exactly how she felt. Cane groaned inwardly. He briefly considered cancelling and going to Oklahoma with Alex. The very fact that he was willing to sit through an OU game told him everything he needed to know. He loved Alex, really loved her and he needed her to be comfortable with his family. His family was everything to him. He wanted Alex to be part of that. He wanted her to see Cut and Shoot as her home, too.
“Alex we’re going to be late.” Cane rubbed his chin.
“What? The game doesn’t start until four.”
“Sweetheart, there is more to Thanksgiving than football. I told my mama we would be there by noon.”
Alex’s eyes widened. “You what now? You didn’t tell me this. And I know there is more to Thanksgiving. Hello. Did you not see the pies?” Alex unbuttoned her shirt and took down her ponytail in preparation for her shower. “But we are watching football, right?”
The edge of panic in her voice made him smile. “You can watch football.” He didn’t tell her that the entire house would be rooting against OU no matter who they were playing. Forty minutes later they were ready to go. Alex wore a blue dress with a thin gold belt. “You look great,” Cane said as he put her bag in the back of his silver Range Rover.
Alex smiled. “Thanks. It’s been a while since I did a meet the family.” She buckled her seatbelt before taking out a notepad. “Okay, Corn Fed, let’s review. Oldest brother is Case. Went to Texas A&M. He is a vet.” Alex looked over to him for confirmation.
“Yep, Case is the oldest and the smartest and probably the nicest.” Cane put the car in to reverse.
“Arg, now you tell me. I got the wrong Clayburn.” She scribbled on her notepad.
Cane had to laugh. “You’re definitely not his type, sweetheart.”
Alex’s nose scrunched but she kept going. “Next is Colt. Rich cattle baron type. Owns the Night Latch. Married to Cheyenne Ford. One son named Garron.”
Cane nodded. “Did I tell you Garron’s name?”
“No. People magazine told me. I did research last night while the pies were baking.”
“You could have just spent the night at my house and asked me.”
“I’m not going to cheat on my research by asking you.” She somehow managed to sound appalled at the suggestion.
“You know it’s not really cheating since we are a couple. You can just ask me things now. One of the many perks of being my girlfriend.”
“Many.” Alex laughed. “Orgasms and always being able to spot you in a crowd are the only perks I know about. Are there more? Have you been holding out on me, Corn Fed?”
“That pretty much sums them up.”
“Good thing those are two of my favorites. If I didn’t already love you, I would have when we got separated at HEB. Everyone in Texas was shopping last night but I could always spot you. The tall blond guy, a head above everyone else, yep that one’s mine. Now stop distracting me. The baby of the family is Cord, the rodeo cowboy. And of course, your mama, Katrina. Nurse and widow. Boom. I have learned them all. Anything else I should know?”
“That pretty much covers it.” Cane smiled. Alex was all in. Like everything in her life, she committed fully. Whatever she did, she did well. And now she was committed to him, to being in a relationship. The turning point had been when he reinjured his shoulder. He shut down and pulled away but Alex pushed through. When he needed her, she came. He didn’t even know he needed her, but he did. And she had not left him since. He hadn’t played again since the injury but he would. He would be back to finish the season. But if he couldn’t, he would still be okay because he had Alex. It would hurt.
He always knew his football career might have a short shelf life but now he could imagine a life after the NFL and it looked pretty good. It would be Alex travelling from city to city to report on games. That made him smile. Hotel sex was going to be part of their relationship for a long time to come. She should have spent the night with him. They needed to figure out a long-term situation. The back and forth was not something he intended to keep going.
Alex pulled out her phone. “I need to text my dad. This is our thing. We always text on game day. No calls. But usually, I am in the stands on Thanksgiving.” The sides of her mouth pulled down but she quickly covered with a tight smile.
“Next year we will go to the OU game and eat hot dogs and nachos.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Why are you surprised? Of course; that’s what couples do; they take turns being tormented by the other person’s traditions. So, this year, Thanksgiving with my people, Christmas with yours. Next year we will switch it up.”
“Did you just invite yourself to Christmas at my dad’s house?”
“He could always come to Houston and celebrate with us.”
Alex’s nose scrunched the way it did when he said something she disagreed with. “My apartment is too small.”
They would be living together at his house by Christmas. Alex didn’t know that yet, but they would be. Cane had his eye on the long game. He had started small by clearing out a drawer for her and buying her a toothbrush to keep at his house. Alex had yet to actually put anything in the drawer. She always brought an overnight bag. The toothbrush had also yet to be used because Alex had a supply of travel toothbrushes, she had stockpiled from every hotel stay. The toothbrush stash had replaced the condom stash in her top drawer. But eventually she would work her way through the supply and then she would have to use the one he had bought her, then bam, halfway to cohabitation.
“Ever notice Texas gets so much more picturesque when you leave Houston?” Alex looked out the window and sighed.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed. That’s why I am building a house in Cut and Shoot.”
Alex’s head snapped around. “You are?”
“Yeah. I want to be closer to my family. It will be nice.” Cane glanced over at her. He was going to say it would be nice when they had kids but instead, he said, “I want to raise my family there.” Cane had stopped teasing her about marriage and children when their relationship got serious but they were going to have to have a proper discussion about it sometime.
“That’s cool. It seemed nice. I mean, if you like tiny Texan towns.”
“Doesn’t everybody?” Alex was being too non-committal. She needed a push.
Alex shook her head. “No, Corn Fed. That is a niche market. So, I hope you really love this house you’re building because resale would no doubt be a challenge.”
Cane sighed. Either she didn’t get what he was asking or she didn’t want to respond. Either way he wasn’t going to push the issue right before she met his mom.
Cane pulled onto the dirt road that led to his childhood home. Alex was staring out the window taking in the surroundings.
“Main street was cute. It looks like something out of a Western.” Alex giggled.
“Cute. Exactly what the founders were going for. I’m pretty sure that is part of the motto.”
“Is this your mom’s house?” Alex beamed.
“This is it.” Cane’s hands were suddenly slick. Why was he nervous? He pulled at his collar. Thank God he was only going to have to do the meet the family thing once. “It’s a nice place to live.” He took out their bags.
Alex stopped at the front door. “Wow! I love her porch. How many girls did you kiss on this porch? No, don’t tell me. There are some things a woman should never know. Let’s pretend I never asked that.”
Cane gathered Alex against his chest and lowered his mouth to hers. “You’re the first.” His lips brushed hers with every syllable. “And the last.” He kissed her hard. Alex wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Her mouth opened for him.
“Ahem.”
Alex jumped out of his embrace. She pushed against him so hard she stumbled back. Cane righted her just before she fell.
“Hey mama.” Cane smiled. “This is Alex. Alex this is my mom.”
Alex’s cheeks burned red. She smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle in her dress before she reached her hand out. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Clayburn.”
His mother hesitated for a moment before she took Alex’s hand. There was a slight scowl on his mother’s face, an expression Cane was not used to seeing. Katrina Clayburn had never met a stranger. She literally could not walk down the street without making a friend. She loved everyone, unless of course you hurt one of her own and then God help you. “Welcome to Cut and Shoot.”
Cane put the bags down. “Which room are we staying in?”
“You’re staying in your room. And Alex is staying in Colt’s old room.”
Cane nodded. Of course, his mama was putting them in separate rooms. She would put them in separate states if given the option.
Cane and Alex followed Katrina upstairs to put the bags down.
“You have a beautiful home.” Alex gleamed at Katrina.
Katrina responded with a tight smile as she eyed Alex from head to toe, inspecting her. She was making absolutely no effort to make Alex feel comfortable. The atmosphere was palpable. Cane held in what would have been a long sigh. This was going to be a long weekend.
“Thank you for inviting me. I appreciate it.” Alex began again. Bless her; she was trying. Alex had committed to making this work and she was doing her best. Sadly, his mother was a formidable opponent.
Katrina took a measured breath. “It’s just a shame you aren’t with your parents. I am sure they would have liked to spend Thanksgiving with you. Holidays are for family,” she said pointedly.
Alex’s smile did not slip. She was wearing her broadcast face. Any emotions she had were hidden behind her broad smile. “It’s just my dad. And he is working today so he won’t be missing me.”
Cane hadn’t told his mom anything about Alex. Every time he tried his mom would launch into a tirade about professional ethics and her disdain for journalists in general and Alex Martin in particular.
“Are your parents divorced?” Katrina asked.
“No, mom died when I was six weeks old.”
Katrina blinked, clearly not expecting that answer. Cane prayed there would not be a follow-up question but there was. “I’m sorry. How did she die?”
“She committed suicide.” Alex did not flinch. She was in full professional mode. Nothing could shake her.
His mom’s eyes widened.
Cane reached for Alex’s hand and gave it a small squeeze. She glanced at him and smiled.
“I’m sorry,” his mother said again.
“That’s all right. I never knew her to miss her. And I have my dad. He is great. Maybe you will meet him.”
“Yes, that would be nice.” Katrina did not manage a smile but the frown that was anchored, lifted slightly.
For a moment silence reigned. “So, are we eating here or at Colt’s?” Cane raised an eyebrow.
“Colt’s. We can leave as soon as you put your bags away.”
Cane waited for his mom to go downstairs before he gathered Alex against him. “You, okay?”
“You weren’t kidding when you said your mama doesn’t like me.” Her eyes rested on the floor like she wanted to fall into the slit between the wooden planks.
Cane let out a stream of air. “She’s a mom. You’ll be the same with our kids.” Cane kissed her forehead.
A panicked look contorted Alex’s features. “Now is not the time to talk about your eleven-pound children.”
“Our children,” Cane amended. Best she get used to that idea now. “And mama will come round. By the time you have our fourth, you will be BFFs.”
“Umm...I doubt that. Come on, Corn Fed. Let’s go. Round two of meet the family awaits.”
“You already did the hard part. The rest of them will love you. I promise. And even if they don’t, I love you.” He pulled her in to his chest and kissed her head. Her hair smelled of flowers and vanilla. Cane was hungry for more than the pie she had spent hours trying to perfect.
“I love you, too.” Their lips met and something deep inside lit a fire of more than desire. He was not ever going to let go of it.
***
Night Latch was a ten-minute drive from his mom’s house. Cheyenne was waiting on the porch, waving, Garron balanced on her hip. Her smile was as bright as her red hair.
“Cheyenne Ford is waving to us,” Alex said in amazement. “I can’t believe Country’s Darling is your sister-in-law.” She squeezed his thigh as if he needed to be pinched into reality. The only thing that seemed out of reality for him was Alex. But it was real.
“Wait for it. She is about to hug you. Cheyenne is a hugger.”
True to form, as soon as they reached the porch, Cheyenne handed the baby to his mom and reached for Alex. “I am so glad to meet you. I hope you have gotten a proper Texas welcome.” Cheyenne gave Cane a knowing look.
“Nice to meet you, too. I have all your albums.”
“Do you? Oh, that is so nice. Garron’s college fund thanks you.”
Alex smiled down at the baby. “He is adorable.”
Cheyenne beamed. “I think so. He looks just like Cord and Cane at that age, except he has dark eyes like Colt. Have you met my husband?”
Alex nodded. “Yes, in the helicopter.”
Cheyenne laughed. “Of course. He took you to the cottage. Just to warn you, I conceived this guy at the cottage.”
Alex coughed.
Cheyenne winked at Cane. Subtle. He would get her back for that later. Cane reached down and scooped up Garron. “Hey, little man. I’ve missed you. Have you been working on your pass?”
Cheyenne shook her head. “My son is not playing football or competing in a rodeo or choosing a career where animals bite him on a daily basis.”
Just then Colt joined them at the front of the house. “We’ll see about that. Nice how my wife rules out every career held by a Clayburn man.” He leaned over and kissed his wife.
“Not true. He can be a carpenter like your dad. I would like that. Yes, you can build things.” The baby giggled as Cheyenne tickled his tummy.
Colt smiled and reached out his hand. “Pleased to officially meet you, Alex.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
‘So, do you forgive me for stranding you with my brother?” Colt asked.
Alex’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink. “The verdict is still out on that one.”
“Fair enough. Come on in. Cord just got here. We were just waiting on you. Let’s eat.”
Cane followed them through to the dining room. Cheyenne had redecorated since he had last been there. His sister-in-law seemed to be systematically putting her stamp on every room. When Colt bought the ranch, he had everything painted white. His brother was a minimalist in every way or at least he had been until he married Cheyenne. Colt was a different man now, happier. He would let Cheyenne paint the house pink if she wanted. He probably wouldn’t even notice.
“I like the wall color,” Cane said, referring to the burnt orange. “I always knew you were a UT fan at heart. Hook ‘Em.” Cane held up his hand in the horn sign that represented UT.
Cheyenne shook her head. “I just liked the color. And don’t worry Case, I painted the feature wall in the game room maroon.”
Case smiled. “Gig ‘Em...that’s the best place in the house where things get settled.” He pretended to break a stick with two hands. “Saw ‘em off.” His brother laughed.
“Alex, the Aggie over here is my brother Case.”
“The nice one. That is how he describes you, by the way.” Alex reached out her hand to shake but Case wrapped his arms around her in an embrace.
“I would actually say Case is the handsome one, but yeah he is the nicest, too.” Jamison stood and hugged Alex. “I’m Jamison. Pleasure to meet you. And welcome to this interesting family.”
“Clearly. I am the handsome one.” Cord rounded the corner.
Alex looked from Cord to Cane and back again. Her eyes widened. “You look more like twins than brothers.”
“Look closer, I’m better looking,” Cord said as he hugged Alex.
Alex squinted. “Oh yes, I see it. You’re right. Sorry, Cane. Cord is the cute one.”
Everyone laughed, except Cane. Alex would be paying for that one later. God, he wanted to kiss her. But if he kissed her, he would want more. His eyes cut to the table. “Three turkeys. Nice. PETA is going to take away your vegan card, Cheyenne.”
Cheyenne rolled her eyes. “That happened when I married the cowboy. Seems my ethics were thoroughly compromised by this one.”
“Darlin, I compromised you but it had nothing to do with meat.” Colt pulled Cheyenne and kissed her temple.
“And yes, three turkeys. I am not having the annual drumstick war on my watch. There is enough for every Clayburn to have one.”
Jamison cleared his throat.
“And yes. I can’t forget you, J.”
“Colt, can you say grace so we can start. Garron is not going to last much longer. We are on borrowed time as it is. Your son was scheduled for a tantrum fifteen minutes ago. He just dropped his afternoon nap,” Cheyenne explained. “Which is a bummer because those were my favorite ninety minutes of the day.” She let out a sigh.
“Yeah, they were.” Colt shot Cheyenne a knowing glance and she smiled and shook her head.
“Alex, you are sitting down here by me. And Katrina, you are sitting down at the bottom by Jamison.” Cheyenne caught Cane’s eye. True to her word Cheyenne had separated Alex and his mom.
Everyone took their seats and then Colt said Grace.
“Wow, this all looks so good,” Alex said. “I have never seen so much food at one dinner table.”
“And it will all be gone in twenty minutes. The Clayburns don’t do leftovers.” Cheyenne laughed.
Katrina nodded. “Tell me about it. We really don’t. I thought you boys would bankrupt us.”
“You think this is a lot of food, wait for Christmas. It’s all this plus roast beef,” Cord said.
“Wow,” Alex said. “Christmas for my dad and I is always Chinese.” She seemed to realize what she had just said. “Neither of us cook. So...it’s always Nine Dragons.” Alex looked down at the mashed potatoes that had just been passed to her. She took a spoonful and then passed them to Cheyenne who was trying unsuccessfully to distract the baby. Garron whined and arched his back. Alex scooped some potatoes onto Cheyenne’s plate for her and passed the bowl to Colt.
“Your timing is not great, baby boy,” Cheyenne said as she stood up with him. “I need to walk him. Clayburn boys like to be on the move.”
“Do you want me to take him? It’s the least I could do after you prepared this entire meal,” Alex offered.
Cane caught her eye. She was scared. He had never seen her like this. The reporter exterior was gone and what was left was ready to bolt out the door.
“No, you eat.” Cheyenne waved for her to sit down.
“Okay, I think I’ll just step outside for a moment. I think I need to get some air.”
Cane caught Cheyenne’s eye and nodded. Thankfully she understood. “You know what, that would be great if you walked him. I’m exhausted and hungry.” Cheyenne handed Garron to Alex.
Alex blinked like she wasn’t expecting Cheyenne to hand her the baby.
“Oh, hello little guy. I’m Alex.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Cane offered softly.
“Oh, no. Stay and enjoy the meal.”
Alex carried Garron outside. Cane turned to look at his family who were all staring at him. For a long time, no one spoke. Jamison was the first to break the silence. “I like her. I like her a lot. I think we might have been too much for her.”
“You guys are too much for me and I’ve known you my entire life,” Cheyenne said as she swallowed a mouthful of green beans. She was taking full advantage of not having a baby on her lap, to enjoy her meal.
“She is not used to so many people. It’s always just been her and her dad,” Cane explained, hoping that is what it was.
“What did you do to her?” Katrina asked, her voice stern.
Everyone turned to look at her. Her arms were crossed over her chest. She was wearing the same look she did the day he broke the stained-glass window at church with his slingshot.
“I love you, son. I love all my boys. You know that. But you can’t pull the wool over my eyes.” She pressed her lips together as if it were an attempt to hold back further words.
“What?”
“Those articles were payback for something. I can see that now. That woman loves you but you hurt her. So, answer the question; what did you do to her?”
Cane shook his head. “I only met her after she wrote the first article. I’ve never done anything to her,” he said incredulously.
“Nope.” She was unconvinced. “I know people. I was all prepared to really not like that girl but then I saw her with you and it is clear she loves you. So, answer the question. What did you do? Did you sleep with her roommate and not call? Did you say something to upset her? Did you insult her daddy? What did you do to that girl?” His mama’s gaze bore down on him.
Cane pulled at his collar. Damn, it was hot in here. “Mama, I only met the woman at the start of the season. I have not had time to do any of those things.” He tried to make a joke to diffuse the situation but Katrina was having none of it.
“Hmm. You did something. I suggest you figure it out and apologize.”
“Somebody just got sacked.” Cord tsked before he tore a drumstick off the turkey closest to him.
“I can still whip your ass,” Cane warned him.
“I would like to see you try.” Cord’s mouth pulled up into a lazy smile.
“Can you save it until after dessert,” Cheyenne asked. “I want to enjoy my dinner. But if we are taking bets, my money is on Cane. Sorry Cord, he has fifty pounds on you.”
“I don’t know,” Colt interjected. “Cord has always been scrappy. He might surprise you.”
“Yep, my money is on Cord, too,” Case said.
“I’m with Cheyenne on this one,” Jamison chimed in.
“You always take Cheyenne’s side,” Cord said. “She could say that Garron was the starting tight end for the Cowboys and you would nod your head like a puppy.”
“Over my dead body is my son playing for the Cowboys.” Cheyenne did not bother swallowing.
“What she said,” Colt agreed.
His family continued to eat, talk and laugh. It was good to have everyone in the same place at one time. It didn’t happen very often anymore. They were all too busy with their own lives. Eventually Colt stood to clear the dishes. Alex and Garron had been gone for the better part of an hour but Cheyenne didn’t seem to mind. She was too busy full of laughter and almost tears of happiness with Case and Jamison to notice. Cane walked through the large house in search of Alex. Eventually he found her in the study on the couch. Garron was asleep soundly on her shoulder. Cane stood in the doorway and took in the scene. Pride and love swelled in his chest. Alex was going to be a good mama. She didn’t know it yet but she would be amazing. She would throw herself into it the way she threw herself into everything else. She would be great. Their kids would be lucky.
“Hey,” he called softly. “I saved you a plate.”
Alex surprised him by saying, “Thank you. I’m starving.”
“Do you want me to take Garron so you can go eat?”
“Not yet. Smell his head. He smells so sweet. Who knew babies smelled this good?”
Cane smiled down at them. “I thought you weren’t a fan of kids.”
“I’m not in general but this one is pretty great. And look at his chubby little fingers. Have you ever seen anything this precious?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I have.” He smiled down at her.
Alex smiled back. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “So, when you mentioned earlier that I wouldn’t be Case’s type was that because despite my awesomeness...I don’t have the right parts?” Her nose scrunched up and Cane wanted to kiss it. Cane laughed. “You mean is he gay? I hope so because his boyfriend is and it would be really awkward for them if he wasn’t.”
“Jamison is his partner?” She tapped her lips as if she had put two and two together.
“Yes. Cord is the only Clayburn on the market. So, if you have any single friends.”
“I’m sure Cord does just fine on his own.”
Cane’s smile slipped. “What’s this about him being the handsome brother?”
“Nope that’s you, Cane. And you’re the nice one, too. But don’t tell anyone that. You got to give them something.”
“And I’m the smart one, too?”
“Don’t push it, Corn Fed.”
Cane leaned down and kissed Alex’s forehead. The baby stirred between them.
“Shh, it’s okay baby,” Alex soothed. Garron stretched then settled back against her shoulder. Cane took out his phone and snapped a picture of Alex and the baby.
“You better not put that on Twitter. Your fangirls already throw me enough shade. If I have to read another ‘why is he with her’ comment I will start blocking people. Like all female people.”
“I’m with you cause I love you. And cause you stopped running long enough for me to catch you.”
“I thought you were with me because I teach you the big words and because I’m probably the only woman that understands football more than you.” She raised an eyebrow at him.
“Only because of the thesaurus I bought you and you do not know football more than me.” He tugged on her hair. “But it is a perk and there are other perks I can’t talk about in front of the baby. But mostly it’s just because I love you.”
“Oh, there ya’ll are,” Cheyenne called as she rounded the corner. “Ah, bless him, he was so tired from playing with his uncles.” Cheyenne picked up Garron and kissed him. The baby slept through it; blissfully unaware he had changed arms. “I’ll see y’all in the dining room. Katrina said the pecan pie is vegan. You’re now officially my favorite sister-in-law. That was so sweet of you and thanks for holding my little man.” She patted his back. “It was bliss to eat a meal with a knife and fork. You can come over anytime you want.” Cheyenne flickered her lashes at Cane. “Bring her back, Cane. I like her. And so does Garron.”
Cheyenne headed back toward the kitchen.
“You, okay?” Cane made sure Cheyenne was out of earshot.
Alex nodded. “I’m good.” Her broadcaster smile was plastered on her face. The one that hid everything. How long would it take her to lower the mask to be around his family?
“You’re not, sweetheart. I can tell.” Cane paused for a second wondering if he should bring up what his mama said at dinner. It made sense that Alex had an ax to grind. She had never slighted another player like that before or since. Looking at it now, it definitely seemed personal.
“Listen...um...about my mama. She seems to think I did something to upset you to make you write those articles.”
Alex froze, her body went rigid, but her face was still impassive. “I just want to forget those articles. I wish I had never written them.”
Cane tilted her chin up so she was looking him in the eye. “I don’t. I’m grateful every day for those articles. I would never have met you if it weren’t for them.”
Alex’s eyes went dark, almost vacant, like she was looking through him. Her smile slipped.
“What is it, Alex. What is it you’re not telling me? Did I upset you? Was it my mama?”
“No. She is fine. They’re all fine. They’re great. It’s just too much. I have no idea how to be part of that dynamic. I know how to be a daughter. I know how to be a friend. I know how to be a reporter. I know how to do those things. I don’t know how to do this.”
“You know how to be a great girlfriend. Don’t forget to add that to your list.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “Ha! You only think that cause I’m your first. Trust me, Corn Fed, I’m not.”
Cane took her hands in his. “You’re perfect for me. That’s all that matters. You’ve broken me for other women.”
Alex shook her head. “Don’t put that on Twitter, either. Texan fans will be leaving horse heads in my bed.”
Cane leaned down and kissed her. He kept it brief because he knew if he kissed her for any length of time, he would need to have her. “Let’s go have dessert before my brothers eat it all.”
“Seriously how did your parents afford to feed you all?”
Cane took Alex’s hand and led her back to the dining room. “Clayburn men always find a way.”
His mama smiled at them. “There you are. We just started dessert. Alex this is the best pecan pie I have ever had. I need this recipe.”
Alex glanced up at Cane, bewilderment in her eyes, clearly not expecting the about face in his mom. “Oh...sure. I will send it to you.”
“Or you can make it for me next time I’m in Houston. I haven’t been to a game all season. I should do that.” Katrina nodded her head as if she had made a final decision.
Bewilderment turned to shock. Alex’s mouth dropped open. For a moment, Alex didn’t say anything. Cane gave her hand a small squeeze. “Oh...wow. That would be nice. I could make dinner after the December home game. I think you’re playing the Chiefs. I mean, if you’re playing again by then.”
“Oh, I will be back by then.” Cane took in more than a mouthful of pie and swallowed it without a single chew. He didn’t need anything to help settle his stomach. He was ready to be back in the game and Alex in his arms.
***
Of course, his mama put Alex in Colt’s room. It meant he had to walk past her room to get there, across the squeakiest floorboards in Texas. Cane waited as long as he could after his mom went to bed to make his move. Cord was still downstairs but Cane did not have the patience for his brother to go to bed, too. Given brother code, he didn’t have to worry about Cord. It was only that damn wooden board. Like a trip wire of mine fields. Cane’s memory held as he made his way across the floor without the slightest of squeaks.
Alex’s eyes widened when he opened the door. She was cross legged on top of the covers with her pen in hand as she scribbled something in her notebook. Alex was always writing something down, probably for a story.
“What are you doing?” Alex dropped her pen on the bed.
Cane shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “It seems pretty obvious. I am going to figuratively sleep with you and then literally sleep with you. I miss you, Alex. I didn’t sleep with you last night, either. That’s not acceptable. If we’re in the same city, you’re in my bed. Or Colt’s bed as the case may be. My high school self is high fiving me right now. I am about to sleep with a beautiful woman in my big brother’s bed.” Pride filled his lungs.
Alex shook her head. “You are ridiculous.” Her head might have shaken side to side but her eyes were in full request for a touchdown in the bed mode.
“So you keep telling me. But you’re wearing my jersey. You know what that does to me. I can’t not fuck you when you wear that. It’s impossible.”
Alex held up her hand to stop him from getting any closer. “You will not fit in this bed. You are literally bigger than a twin mattress.”
“I’ll fit. I’m used to putting big things into small spaces.”
“So ridiculous. I’m serious, Cane. Even if you fit on this bed, there would be no room for me.”
“Umm...on top of me. You’re feeding me the lines tonight.”
Alex paused like she needed to consider it but then shook her head. “No. I just got your mom on my side. I’m not going to ruin it by defiling her son in her home. Go to bed, Corn Fed.”
“My mom knows you have defiled me already. So, you might as well do it again, sweetheart.”
“I’m serious. We will wake up your mom.”
“No, we won’t. We’ll pretend we’re in high school. And we have to be quiet so we don’t get caught. God, I wish I would have met you in high school.”
Alex scrunched her nose. “No, you don’t. I hadn’t discovered straighteners and I had a retainer. It wasn’t pretty.”
“Yep, I wish we would have met in high school. I would have spent all four years trying to get into your pants.”
“You wouldn’t have had to try that hard, Corn Fed. I think we’ve established I have a hard time resisting you.”
“I’m serious. Look at all the time we’ve wasted. I was All State. You should have written a scathing article about me then. I would have tracked you down.”
Alex shook her head. “Go to bed, Corn Fed. I love you but this is not happening.”
“Woman we are going to have sex. Whether we wake up the house is up to you. I can be quiet when I come. Can you?” he challenged.
“I know you dare me to do things just to get your own way.”
“And yet, you still do them.”
Alex reached her hand out for him. “We already established I find you very hard to resist.”
“Then stop trying.” Cane lowered them both to the bed, the frame squeaked under the weight.
“We’re going to break the bed,” Alex whispered against his mouth. With each syllable her lips caressed his. Instantly he was hard.
“I’ll buy a new one.”
“Not the point.” Alex smiled.
“Woman, what part of we’re having sex didn’t you understand?”
Alex groaned.
“See, if you make those noises someone will hear us.”
“I’m not the one who is going to get us caught,” she whispered. “If we’re going to do this you need to get on your back.”
“If you want to ride me, sweetheart, just ask. You don’t need to make excuses.”
“Did anyone ever tell you, you’re very cocky?”
“You do most days and yet here we are.” Cane stood up to let Alex move from underneath him. He stripped his boxers off.
Alex smiled at him appreciatively. “To be fair, you have a lot to be cocky about.” This time it was Alex who pushed Cane down against the bed. She pulled the jersey over her head and dropped it to the ground. “If we’re going to do this, it’s my rules, Corn Fed.”
“Oh, we’re doing it.” Cane tried to pull Alex down but she wriggled away.
“First rule.” Alex grabbed his hands and pushed them above his head then wrapped them around the wrought iron spindles of the headboard. “No touching. You let go, and I’m sending you back to your room. You’ll be getting no high fives from your high-school-self tonight.”
“But you like when I touch you.” Cane licked his lips. She liked when he used his tongue to touch her as well. He was sure of that.
“Second rule: You make a sound and we stop. Any sound. Do you accept my rules?”
“Sweetheart, if it means I get to be inside you, I accept.” God he would accept anything from her. Anything.