Page 31 of The Wiener Across the Way

I had to stare out the window so I didn’t look back at him with something else I was hungry for. Yes. That was better. Look at that tree, and that one. And those big rocks. Maybe I could spot a deer or a mountain sheep. That was a thing in the mountains, right? Anything to distract myself from the way I wanted to... Nope. No. Not going there. This was business. Even if it didn’t feel like it right at this exact moment.

Declan’s ease behind the wheel mirrored the comfort I found in his presence. I needed to tamp thoughts like that down. But I hoped that when this was all over and we fake broke up, we could still be friends. I liked him. A lot.

This mountain area was so beautiful, and he wasn’t lying about colors. The leaves on the trees were like jewels. He slowed as we drove past the sign that identified the town of Bear Claw, and it was like something out of a movie or a book. Little shops on a main street, lots of pickup trucks, and we pulled into the parking lot of quaint bar nestled at the edge of town.

He parked the car, and I grabbed Pooh, clipping on the leash in the pocket of the car seat. “It’s okay to bring her in here?”

I hesitated next to the car. We weren’t the only ones in the parking lot and that meant there were people I didn’t know inside. I hadn’t gone to a place that wasn’t either filled with other celebs or people who worked for me in ages.

Declan took my hand with a smile and a chuckle, reading my apprehensive expression. “You’re not going to cause a riot by walking in here, Kels. We arranged for it to be a private event. Just a few old friends of the family, here to watch the game with us.”

He had asked if I wanted to watch a game with him. People did that at sports bars, I guess. Wait. Who was we?

Inside, the bar was cozy and inviting, a stark contrast to the glitzy venues I was used to. The few people present greeted us with warm smiles and nods, clearly accustomed to the Kingmanfamily’s presence. Only a few eyes lingered on me, but no one took out their phones and started filming or hopped up to ask for an autograph or anything.

Weird.

Declan led me to a group sitting in a corner booth. “Kelsey, meet my brothers Chris and Everett, and this is Chris’s fiancée, Trixie, and our youngest brother, Hayes.”

Their welcoming smiles instantly put me at ease. Introducing me to his family was a gesture that meant more than he probably realized. I’d never brought anyone home to meet my parents, especially not someone from the dazzling world of celebrity. But here I was, meeting Declan’s family in a setting so normal it made me wonder what it would be like to bring him home to my mom and dad.

Not like that was ever going to happen.

LET’S TALK ABOUT SACKS, BABY

DECLAN

Kelsey greeted my brothers and Trixie with a warm, genuine smile, her laughter mingling with the low hum of conversations. People couldn’t help but be drawn to her. It was like watching a natural magnet in action.

We grew up with enough celebrities in our lives, not just sports stars, but models and Hollywood types from the De le Rein side of the family, that it took quite a bit for a Kingman to get starstruck. But even Chris and Everett, who were arguably the most famous among us, were a little bit in awe of the star power of my girl.

I was definitely teasing Hayes later about the way he blushed and forgot how to talk when Kelsey shook his hand. Not that I didn’t feel the same way. They all behaved in a pro manner, but I got looks from both of them that said exactly how badass it was to be here with her, just hanging out.

I needed them to keep their shit together, because if anything went down, they were my first line of defense. Nobody was going to touch Kelsey, or even look at her funny. Not on my watch.

The bar was alive with laughter and conversation, but my focus was entirely on her. She was effortlessly charming, lighting up the room, and I was determined to make a lasting impression by letting her have a real night off. This was no celebrity hotspot. Simply good people, decent food, and a football game.

My world. Fuck, I hope she liked it.

After we ordered and our mountains of wings and beers came, she and Trixie talked about books. I was going to make sure I got a list of the ones Kelsey wanted from Trix later so I could get a couple. The game started, and the bar got pretty rowdy. L.A. was a big Denver rival.

Kelsey’s eyes went wide, and she grinned at the shift in the mood. She tucked Wiener the Pooh between us on the bench to shield her from some of the noise. “You’re going to have to explain what’s happening. I got nothing until the halftime show.”

Trixie leaned over and fake whispered, “I’m mostly in it for the football player’s butts.”

Kelsey looked at her and said, “Right? That’s what I’m saying.”

Chris gave Trixie a tickle for that comment and pulled her in under his arm, giving her a kiss on the top of the head. Kelsey got a cute little thinking face, pulled out her phone and typed something in.

“Just an idea for a lyric.” She shoved it back into her pocket and smiled. This one was new to me. I’d seen a lot of her smiles, but that one had some excitement mixed with relief. Interesting. “Okay, now, who are we rooting for, and how do we know when to cheer?”

I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close to my side, just like a real first date. “The boys here are all about the throwing, and running, and catching, which is fine. But I play defense.”

“So your job is to stop the guys on the other team who are trying to throw and run and catch. Got it.”

Hayes leaned in close. “He’s the best one at doing it too.”

Everett nodded and said, “Yeah. Glad he’s on our team. I’ve been smashed into the ground enough times by him. Wouldn’t want it on game day.”

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