Page 34 of Undeniable Love

After quietly clearing his throat, he said, “Ty mentioned that you had to talk him into going to Bruno’s tonight. What was that about?”

Shaking her head, he heard her laugh quietly. “He was in overprotective brother mode. But I convinced him not to be.”

“Why was he being overprotective? It was just dinner.”

“With an entire football team,” she told him. “And…considering that I called off my wedding and broke things off with my fiancé less than two months ago, he thought I might…you know…”

“Wait…you called off your wedding?” he asked, completely shocked. “Why?”

But Lucy waved him off. “It’s a really long story and not something I’d like to talk about.”

Unfortunately, that was all he could think about.

“Anyway, he claimed he thought I’d decide tonight was the night to get back on the horse or whatever, but the reality was that he didn’t want me hanging around this girl he hooks up with whenever he’s here.” She laughed again. “What’s that about?”

“Her name’s Sandy. They met a couple of years ago—at Bruno’s—and it’s just…casual? I guess? From everything he’s told me, they only reach out when he’s going to be in town and don’t keep in touch when he’s not.”

“That is so weird and not like my brother at all! Go figure. You think you know a guy…”

“To be fair, neither seems to be looking for anything serious.”

She frowned at him. “Still, it just seems…I don’t know…icky.”

His bark of laughter was out before he could stop it. “Icky?”

Nodding, she repeated herself. “Yup. Icky. I know Ty dates a lot back home. Not seriously, but he does date. And then he comes here a couple of times a year and just…bangs Sandy and leaves? That’s icky, Jax!”

They were both laughing at his point, but his laugh was more like a snort. “Hardly. They are two consenting adults. And if this is all they want from each other, who are they hurting?”

“No one, I guess,” she said, shaking her head and looking away. “How about we head out to the hot tub? I’m sure that would be beneficial after a game, right?”

“Actually, an ice bath is better for muscle recovery, but I did that when I got back to the locker room. The hot tub is just more about relaxing.”

Although when you’re in there with me, the last thing I feel is relaxed.

“Oh.” When she looked at him and smiled, he could see some uncertainty there, but didn’t know why. “So…what do you say? I feel like that’s sort of become our nightly ritual.”

“Sure. I’ll meet you out there in ten.” But Jax stayed where he was while Lucy got up and went to the guest room and shut the door. Picking his phone back up, he decided that maybe he should check on Ty.

Jax: Hey! Are you spending the night at Sandy’s?

Ty: Yeah. Why?

Shaking his head, he considered his answer because saying, “Because I wanted to be alone with your sister” probably wouldn’t go over well.

Jax: Lucy mentioned that she didn’t know if you were coming back tonight

Jax: And unsure if you changed your flights

Ty: Crap! Doing that now!

Ty: And thanks, bro. I appreciate you looking out for her and getting her out of there

Ty: I didn’t want her around the team

At least he’s admitting it.

Jax: So you thought bringing her to a team party was the way to go? Lol