Page 26 of Tiger Lilies and Tight Ends

A few more of Tyler’s friends have made their way over, too.

She stares at me like I’m a unique specimen, but I ignore it and smile brightly at her. She’s covered in head-to-toe pink, her hair is in a low ponytail, and she’s just the cutest. “Hi there. I’ve heard a lot about you,” I tell her. Shifting the food under one arm, I hold my other hand up to cover half my mouth so I can whisper to her. “Uncle Jonah tells me you’re better than him at fishing.”

She lets out a small giggle. “Well, he’s not that good at it,” she says bluntly.

Everyone within hearing distance laughs.

Vivi’s eyes grow large. “It’s true,” she declares.

“Oh, we believe you. We’ve seen how sad it is to watch Uncle Tyler attempt to fish,” says a very large guy walking our way. “Hi, I’m Chase Sullivan, but these guys all call me Sully.”

He holds out his hand for me to shake, and I do. Where I thought Tyler’s hands were big, this guy’s are massive.

“Lily. It’s nice to meet you.”

“So, Lily, why don’t you come on into the kitchen and tell us all about yourself? Seeing as someone (cough, cough, Tyler) didn’t tell us anything about you at all, and you’re a complete surprise tonight.”

A few of the other guys chuckle.

“I knew about her,” Jonah says.

“Of course you did. You two share menstrual cycles as well,” Sully says.

“What’s a menstrual cycle?” Vivi asks.

Everyone freezes, and all the guys groan as Tyler sets her down, and each moves to other parts of the house. Jonah, Reid, and Sully head outside with Tyler’s steaks, and Tyler and Titan go to the living room so Vivi can show Tyler Molly’s new trick.

Sophie laughs. “Come on into the kitchen. I’ll show you around, and then you can help yourself going forward.” She hooks her elbow with mine to lead the way, but as we’re walking off, I hear the guy who is Titan, I know this because again, I looked him up, ask Tyler, “Is she who I think she is?”

Tyler replies, “Yep, and if you mention him, I’ll rearrange your face.”

I can’t help the small smile that brings and pinch my lips together. I lose the rest of the conversation as we enter the kitchen. I set down my bowl and meet everyone else. Lexi and I reacquaint ourselves, and Camille welcomes me with genuine smiles and nonjudgemental eyes. Instantly, I know the three of them are nothing like the women from the Destroyers.

“She’s so tiny,” I tell Camille as she has her newborn baby strapped to her chest.

“She’s the sweetest too,” she says as she bends down to brush a kiss against the top of her head. Camille looks tired, but she looks beautiful too.

All of them are in summer casual clothes, their nails are done, but modestly, they aren’t decked out in jewelry with blowouts, and well, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was at a cookout for normal people, not couples who are loaded with millions.

“You know, I heard some chatter that you and Dean had split,” Lexi says. “Are we happy about this or not?” she asks as she pours what looks like a glass of sangria and hands it to me.

I should be surprised that she asked, but I’m not. People knew we were together, especially other quarterbacks and their significant others, and secretly I’m glad that she’s asking. I know they’re all thinking it and wondering, so may as well get it out of the way.

“Happy. Dean and I met when we were young, and I guess the best way to explain it is as we’ve grown, our relationship didn’t. I’m not sad it’s over. I think I’m mostly sad that I gave it so much time. We should have ended years ago.”

“I’m sorry,” Lexi says. “For what it’s worth, I think you can do better than Dean Davis.”

I blink at her words, as here’s another person who shares Tyler’s opinions toward Dean. I don’t know if I should be embarrassed that I stayed so long, because what does that say about me, or not, because I just don’t care anymore.

“That seems to be the sentiment across the board. Just wishing I had listened to that sooner. I don’t know if it would have made a difference, but you never know.” I chuckle, picking up the drink and taking a sip.

“What does he think about you being here with a different team?” Camille asks, while she sways from side to side like moms do.

“He doesn’t know. Not that I care what he thinks. No one knows, but now you all.”

“No one but us?” Camille asks, but her face says she understands perfectly. She’s spent plenty of time in the spotlight, given who her family is, and sometimes it’s just nice to disappear.

“Well, my best friend and my family, too. I just needed some time, and I took it.” I take another sip of the drink, it’s delicious.