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Of all the times for Rocky's leash to break... Xavier strode back to his house, his fingers curled in a tight grip around the remainder of Rocky's leash. His long strides made quicker by his impatience with himself and his rambunctious rescue dog. The pretty brunette carrying the box had immediately caught his attention. And then Rocky had broken free and knocked her down. "Great first impression," he admonished the dog. "We'll have to make it up to her."
Something close to recognition stirred when Ashley's golden eyes met his... But he knew they couldn't have met before. He'd never have forgotten those eyes. Her classic oval face, olive skin, and her voice—her rich, soothing, jazz club singer voice—shot slivers of awareness straight through him.
He tugged his cap down further on his head. She hadn't said no to dinner, but she didn't exactly say she'd be thrilled to see him again either or that she was happy he would be her partner. Instead, she'd shaken his hand, even gave his a gentle squeeze. Her skin was soft, buttery soft....
Stop.
He didn't have time to wonder over a gorgeous brunette with mesmerizing eyes. Not with the ten thousand other things pulling at his attention: preparing for his first co-hosting gig on the league's TV network's daily news show, handling the last minute details with his foundation's upcoming Spring 5k run, getting in his workouts and conditioning, not to mention his family and his entirely too energetic dog. And now a commitment to bake live on national TV.
The dog looked at him and barked. Xavier shook his head and laughed. "You're right. She's probably sorry that she's stuck with me as her partner."
He changed direction and headed toward his brother's place. Ryan would make him feel better. His little brother always put a positive spin on things. And Ryan could cook anything, and often had a stocked fridge. Maybe he could convince his brother to make dinner and share some baking tips.
Not for the first time, more likely the millionth, gratitude that his family lived so close to each other filled him. He rang the bell and then rubbed the dog's head. "Remember, you need to be on your best behavior for Uncle Ryan. No more knocking over lamps, okay?"
The door swung open. Ryan greeted him with the biggest smile he had ever seen. And teary eyes.
The tears immediately raised Xavier's protective instincts. Ryan may have been twenty-five, and Xavier may have been thirty, but he'd looked out for his little brother ever since Ryan had been a baby, kicking ass when needed. He would be happy to do so again. His hands closed into fists. "What's going on?"
Ryan waved him inside and bent to rub the dog's head. "Happy news. Come in. Everson's here."
A sharp whistle pierced the air. Everson appeared in the doorway that led to the kitchen, a container of bone-shaped dog treats clasped in his hand. With a bark, Rocky trotted into the kitchen to happily accept his treat.
Xavier closed the door at his back and followed Ryan into the living room. "Ry? What's the news?"
"Everson, come here." Ryan held his arm out to the larger man and Everson's arms quickly encircled his torso, joining the two as one. "We just got engaged."
"Hey, that's great. Congratulations!" Thrilled for them, he hugged his brother, and then his teammate. "You didn't say anything when I saw you earlier today."
"Well, I thought it was best to ask Ryan first." The gridiron giant smiled and gazed at Ryan with so much love in his expression. "And lucky for me, he said yes."
Xavier grinned at the pair. They were perfectly matched. "Does anyone else know?"
Ryan barely shook his head, he was so caught up in Everson. "It happened, like, an hour ago, so no. We've sort of been basking in it."
"You mean you told me before you told Dad? And before you told Leo? Ry, he's going to think I'm your favorite brother now." Xavier couldn't help teasing. The brothers were all close, but Ryan the youngest brother and Leo, the eldest, had a special bond. Then again, as the middle children, Xavier and Shane did too.
Ryan laughed right back. "No one else burst in on us. We were going to call everyone tonight."
The tips of his ears burned hot as Xavier put two and two together. He'd clearly barged in on a private celebration. "I'm sorry. Let me get the dog and get out of your way."
"No. Stay," Ryan said.
Gesturing to the couch, Everson added, "Really, it's fine."
Xavier sank onto the cushion. He'd have to make this up to them. Maybe buying a cake from Ashley would be a good start. That way, he'd make up for ruining her day too. "So, Rocky and I met the baker I'll be partnering with."
Ryan sat beside him and patted the cushion until the dog joined them. "How did that go?"
"Rocky sort of knocked her down and ruined a cake delivery. So, it could have gone better." He launched into a detailed account that had his brother and future brother-in-law alternately cracking up and groaning in sympathy.
Ryan ruffled the dog's hair and then leaned against Everson. "I can't believe the team wants you guys to bake. It's your off-season. You worked so hard during the year, and your bodies went through a lot of abuse. Like I said to Everson when he came home today, you deserve time to relax and be away from football. Mini-camp and training camp will be here before you know it."
"It's cool, Ry. If I can win that money..."
"You could donate it to Penn's cancer research, or any of the breast cancer charities."
"Exactly." His gaze wandered to the photo of his mom on the bookshelf. The last family photo they'd taken before she'd died. He hoped she would be proud of what he was trying to accomplish with the foundation. "I'm hoping that I'll get to talk about the foundation when they film the competition."
Everson draped his arm around Ryan's shoulders. "I'm sure we will. That's why Mills chose us, right? But, dude, when I called the bakery that they assigned to me, the guy had no idea that they were even supposed to have partners."
"Same. Ashley was pretty surprised."
"Bet she'll be even more surprised when she realizes that you can't bake at all." Ryan grinned and then tilted his head back to address his fiancé. "You either."
Xavier groaned, imagining one more brick stacked against him. "She's probably going to expect that I have some idea, right?"
Ryan nodded. "I would think so. She wouldn't expect you to be an expert, but she might think you at least have a passing interest. Lucky for you, you have me. I'll give you a crash course, and maybe even flash cards if you need them."
The thing was, Ryan would. Sweetly, and without malice. He'd help, as always, to make sure that Xavier and Everson had the best chance. The Brennan brothers always stuck together.
"I'll take you up on that, but not tonight." He stood and called for the dog. "I'm heading home now. And I'll act completely surprised when you guys call us with the news. Get us all on the group video chat so you can tell us all at the same time."
"You don't have to go. You can stay for dinner."
"Nah. You guys need some time alone. I'll see you for family dinner on Sunday as usual." He hugged them goodbye and headed out. When he glanced back, as the door was closing, Ryan and Everson were already reaching for each other.
Xavier started the short walk home. Seeing his brother so happy and settled made him happy. It was the same when Leo had married Kelsey. He'd never given the matter of finding someone to love much thought. Until he'd turned thirty. The milestone birthday coupled with signing his latest contract had changed his perspective. The contract might be his last as a football player. Suddenly the future, the post-football future, was no longer far away. Hell, it was practically right in his face. The days of partying were behind him, had been for a few years now, but even so, his reputation hadn't completely caught up to his now drama-free lifestyle.
Rocky barked and pulled him toward a squirrel racing up a tree. Laughing, he directed the dog toward home. Thoughts of the future needed to take a backseat to more immediate concerns. Like his crazy dog and his crazy family, and that he somehow had to learn how to bake, or at least something about baking, before he saw Ashley again.
