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“You know it,” he replied.
Vic went back to attacking her fried chicken. “I hope you’re taking it easy. You always push it too hard, and you’re only a couple of months out.”
“Vic, I can handle my PT.” He didn’t mean to snap at her, but from the flash in her brown eyes, she didn’t intend to roll over and take it.
“So who was on the phone?” Melly dabbed her mouth. “Not Cade from your team?”
“Yeah.”
“Why did he call?” She sounded suspicious, but Melly often was, so that didn’t mean much.
He set down his water and stabbed at his salad. “Just team business.”
“So you think you’re going to re-sign? I’ve heard talk that—”
“Enough, Vic.” All of this talk business was getting to him. “I don’t want to discuss my rehab or football or any of that shit. Okay?”
Vic shoved corn around her plate. “What about Mom? You ever intend to discuss her, or is she off the table, too?”
“Vic,” Melly chided softly. “We agreed.”
“What did you agree? Not to talk about her in front of me?” He dug into his potatoes until the fork scraped the bowl. “You can talk about her any time. I know you’re both cozying up with her again, and that’s your choice. I would never criticize you for your decisions.”
Hypocrite. Who’s going to be cozying up with her tomorrow?
But that was different. He was doing that for his sisters, not himself. He didn’t need a mother in his life anymore. That ship had sailed years ago.
“Like we’ve done with yours not to be part of her life?” Vic stared at the chicken she’d been devouring so eagerly. “Sorry, Bry. Wedding stress is getting to me. I swore I wouldn’t turn into one of those women, but I guess I lied.”
“Don’t worry ’bout it, squirt.” He rubbed her head like when she was a kid, and she shoved at his arm, making him laugh. This was good. Really good. Grea
t news from the team. Quality time with his sisters for the little while he was in town. “Melly and I can deal with you getting moody. I might even still give you away to that stiff-necked CEO of yours next week. If you don’t piss me off too much.”
“That’s not all that’s stiff when it comes to Cory,” Vic tossed back, causing Bryan to groan and Melly to choke on her iced tea.
“Really, Vic? Want me to get indigestion?”
His phone went off again, and he gratefully glanced at the screen.
Jill.
I’m home early and I’m lonely. Want to keep me company?
Hell yes, he did. He wanted to enough that he feared getting up from the table, thanks to the suddenly baseball-bat-sized hard-on he was sporting. This day was looking better and better.
Even thoughts of visiting his mom tomorrow couldn’t bring him down. He’d vowed to check on her at the group home alone so Vic didn’t have anything to think about except her wedding, and he intended to keep that promise.
And now Jill was offering him the perfect distraction from his impending visit. One with soft pink lips, a curvy body, and the unerring ability to make him laugh. But he’d suggested going out the next time they spent time together. He couldn’t just show up and bang her, right? That wasn’t polite. She was worth so much more.
This was why he didn’t do relationships. Fuck buddies didn’t require all this thought. If only things with Jill were that simple. She was way too important for him to treat carelessly.
He was still staring at his cell, debating how best to respond, when Vic cleared her throat. “Who is that? Bryan Townsend, did you just get a booty call?”
“Of course not,” he answered a bit too swiftly.
Vic smirked. “Uh-huh. That grin on your face says otherwise.”
Dear God. He hid the text before Vic could snatch his phone. “Sorry to cut this short, ladies, minor emergency.” Try major, if his dick had any say in the matter. He gestured to the waiter. “Check, please.”
