Page 5 of Hard Hearts

“All good. Went to Dr. Neals down in Florida. He can fix anything.” What sucked was that I was in a contract renewal year and the team was reluctant to pay me what I’m worth. I’ve won a Super Bowl, for fuck’s sake.

“I have a kid on my roster that I sent to him. He had a busted clavicle from getting rear-ended. Hell of a thing,” Jasper says, taking his whiskey from the server who just appeared with a tray of glasses.

“Neals would be the one to go to. How’s your driver doing?”

“Good. He’s a promising driver, but we’ll have to see how he does post-surgery.”

I try not to wince, but these are the same words I’m reading in the press every day.How is Kaden Gunner’s gun actually going to work post-surgery?Pretty damn well, but it’s the off-season, and until I prove it on the field, no one but my pops is really going to believe it.

“You follow the sport?” Jasper asks.

I cast a quick look around the table to see if anyone is annoyed that I’m monopolizing Jasper, but Frankie’s coworkers appear thrilled to be part of the conversation, even if it’s from the sidelines. Frankie’s mouth is straight, which means she’s moved from the pissed to the slightly irritated column.

“Watched way too much of it last year while I was laid up from the surgery.”

Jasper gives me a wry smile. “Sorry to hear about your injury but not sorry that you got to watch some of my sport. You should come and drive on our test track.”

“I might take you up on that, but as much as I’d love to keep talking about me, I think you’re here to do some business with Frankie’s firm.” I shift so that Jasper has a better line of sight with Frankie. It’s not like I want him to look at her, but I know in business that eye contact is a big thing, and Jasper, especially, is the type of guy who wants to look someone in the eye and judge for himself whether they’re the type of person he wants to work with.

“It’s not really Frankie’s firm,” one of the uptight Hugo Boss wearing coworkers starts in, but when Jasper frowns, he shuts up quickly.

“It’s not my firm,” Frankie acknowledges with a dip of her head and a warm smile—a warmer smile than has ever been directed at me. “But we all kind of feel like we have some ownership in it. It’s a small company with big dreams and a dedicated team, which seems to fit your philosophy.”

I flip my gaze back to Jasper and realize for the first time that he is what the ladies would call a silver fox. I run my tongue along the inside of my lip and try to quell that green-eyed demon stirring inside me. Jasper’s at least twice my age, and more than twice Frankie’s age. Plus, he’s married, according to the ring on his finger. I’ve got nothing to worry about with him. Do I?

“I admit to being an old-school kind of guy. I want to work with people I know and like, even if all they’re supplying is the screws that hold the air vents in place.”

“Since we’d be supplying more than small hardware, it would be even more important for us to all meet.”

The two share another smile. I tuck my hands under the table until the feeling of wanting to punch something subsides.

The others jump in, and they start talking about steel and granular details about the weight to strength ratios. Frankie knows more about the cars than anyone at the table and is able to carry on a detailed conversation with Jasper about how they’re made beyond even the steel chassis that her company would provide. She knows about the fiberglass components that he has made by a company in Alabama, and the tire company from Michigan, and even what glass cleaner they use on the windshield. I can see him falling for her over the various courses, and by dessert, I’m half-expecting him to get on one knee and pull a ring box out of his pocket.

“If I wasn’t a married man, Frankie, I fear I’d be close to making an inappropriate proposal.”

I clear my throat. Frankie kicks me under the table. Good thing I’m used to being tossed around like a pillow case by linemen or I might have flinched.

Jasper laughs. “No, don’t be mad at your man. I’ve got a strong green streak in me, too.” He pats my shoulder lightly. “I can see why you’re hovering around her. I wouldn’t let her get more than a few feet from me either. It says a lot about you, Kaden, that you’re attracted to such a strong, capable woman. Reminds me of my Stella at home. Seeing the two of you together makes me remember what it was like when Stella and I were young.”

He leans forward with his hands clasped together. “You’re the type I want to do business with. Solid, commitment-minded people. When’s the wedding?”

“The wedding?” Frankie squeaks.

I grin and drape my arm across Frankie’s chair. “We’re headed to the chapel this summer.”

Chapter Five

FRANKIE

After wrapping up dinner, my boss and colleagues decide to head into the lounge area. They tried to talk Jasper into coming with them, but he said he was heading home to his wife. Now we’re lingering out at the valet, waiting for them to bring his and Kaden’s cars around. Kaden keeps his arm draped over my shoulder. He’s really milking this while I have to remain calm in front of Jasper.

“How are the wedding plans going?” Jasper asks. His eyes are on me, so I have no choice but to answer.

“They’re going.” Right up Kaden’s ass when I get him alone. He better plan on being out another season due to injury.

“I would hope so. A summer wedding is soon.” I’m about to tell him next summer, but Kaden beats me. Not only quick on his toes but with that mouth of his too.

“One way or another, it’s happening this summer. I’ve waited long enough.” He kisses me on top of the head. I’m gonna make him pay for that one.

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