Once Upon A Half-Time: A Sports Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,26

and playbooks and new techniques. But if you need to get help with the plays or drills—”

I stopped her before she suggested anything that ridiculous. “Baby, this offense was made for me. By the end of training camp, Jack Carson will be my little spoon.”

“What?”

“I’ll work it out. Just gotta play it cool.”

Rosie screeched. “Cole!”

Cole stalked us from the hallway, took one look at me with his kid on my shoulders, and I knew my ass would end up on the ground again. Last thing I needed was a second boot print on my chest to match his mark from earlier. He reached for Rose.

“Give me my baby, rookie.”

He took the girl, but she immediately wiggled, fussed, and fought until she was on the ground. She marched down the hall and pointed to Cole.

“Daddy! Play!” Her little feet stomped.

Even Cole couldn’t resist. He chased her before the kid ended up tumbling through the weight room. Piper groaned.

“They’re fun at that age,” I said.

“You have experience with toddlers?” she asked.

“Sebastian,” I said. “He was a nuclear warhead in a diaper. Look away for a minute, and he left a crater. Cute though.”

Piper rubbed her tummy. “Yeah…good thing they’re cute.”

“Just like me.”

“I don’t think the coaches are won over by your dimples.”

“You’d be surprised. I got this under control.”

“I trust you, Lachlan.”

“Now if you would just put in the good word for me to Elle…”

Piper waved a hand. “That’s beyond my three percent commission. You’re on your own.”

Yeah, I knew that was too good to be true.

I left the practice facility—carefully crossing the street. I wasn’t risking my ass every time I crossed the lot, especially since the guys had somehow convinced Elle to join us at the bar.

And I wasn’t leaving without her on my arm.

McCree’s was a hole-in-the-wall bar on the south side of town—a place where Ironfield’s trendy revitalization skipped. It was blue collar. It was dim. It was small.

And Wednesday nights were karaoke.

My kind of show. Especially since I now owed the team the remainder of my dignity, at least, what bits of it I’d scraped off the practice field. I skipped the pleasantries and handed the bartender my credit card.

The team knew how to haze—through my wallet and up on stage. Good thing I liked to sing.

And I had the perfect audience.

The guys filed in, but I found my seat in the corner. Elle teased her straw in a particularly fruity and tropical looking drink. She studied her camera as I leaned over the booth.

“Any requests, dear?”

The camera flashed and nearly blinded me. Fair enough.

“I’m here for the show, Charming.” Elle patted her camera. “Just documenting this embarrassment.”

“Embarrassment?” I laughed. “This is fun.”

Elle wove a hand through her hair, framing the tease of her smile and wicked dare of her eyes. “You actually want to sing?”

“I’ll serenade you all night, Red.”

“Are you flirting with me…or is that a threat?”

“Depends…what will get me those dates with you?”

“Tell you what…” Elle leaned close. “How about you and I get out of here?”

“Yeah?”

“We’ll take a nice ride downtown.”

“I’m loving this idea.”

“I’ll wear a pretty little dress.”

“Awesome.”

“And we’ll spend a nice night at my lawyer’s office, settling this divorce.”

I flagged down a waitress. “Can someone get this lady another drink? She agrees to marry me when we’re tipsy.”

Jack delivered her an unopened beer. “Well, well, well. Here’s the team’s newest lovebirds.”

Elle groaned. “And, with any luck, I can fly away from him.”

“Whadda think, rookie?” Jack held up an electric razor. “Want to tweet a nice little song for us…or are you gonna let me manage your hair style for the rest of training camp?” He pointed a couple tables over. A razor poised over our third-round draft choice’s head. “Frankie took the coward’s way out.”

No dice. “As much as I’d rock a dick and balls shaved into my head, I’m here for the music, baby.”

Elle stroked her camera. “Thank God this thing doesn’t pick up sound.”

“You’re gonna change your tune pretty quick, Red,” I said.

“You better order me another drink. This is going to be a long night.”

And it wouldn’t have to end if all went to plan. I accepted Jack’s challenge and hopped onto the stage as a chorus of cheers erupted in the bar. The house lights dimmed, and the stage spotlighted my full glory.

Jack baited the team, standing on a chair and drawing the attention of the entire bar. I counted only a handful of non-Rivets personnel. Less of a chance for this to end up on YouTube.

Unlike