Page 21 of Big Rucking Disaster

“Just give me her address, and I’ll make it there myself. My car might look out of place in that neighborhood, but I’ll survive.” I chuckled.

“How about I text it to you?” Yardley tapped a code into his phone, tapped a couple more times, and handed me the phone.

I entered my number, sent myself a text, and then completed the new contact sequence. Finally, I handed the phone back with my shit-eating grin.

Yardley arched an eyebrow. “Handsome Johnnie?”

“You don’t think I’m gorgeous?” I angled my head to give him my best side.

“Oh God.” He pocketed his phone. “See you tomorrow.”

I watched as he walked away, feeling like something had shifted in me, but not understanding what.

Isaiah smacked me on the back. “Travis is home and cooking dinner. I know we’re in the opposite—”

“I’m not turning down a home-cooked meal.” I gave my friend a rueful grin. “Have you heard?”

“That you’re having dinner with two prospective players, one teacher, and his sister? Better you than me.”

Except he would’ve been a better choice.

Still, I’d put on my nicest clothes and do my best to put on a good show.

Chapter Seven

Yardley

Johnnie was more relaxed than I expected he might be.

Maybe I wasn’t giving him enough credit.

Perhaps because I was the one who was nervous. With Johnnie’s reputation as a ladies’ man, along with pro athletes and their loose tongues—I was thinking vulgarity in particular—I expected a bit more of a shitshow.

Instead, he was well-mannered. He paid plenty of attention to Kenji and Kolson, while ensuring Roland and Meyer weren’t left out, even though their chosen sports weren’t rugby.

Reuben surveyed his kids with papa pride while Jamilla fussed a little more than usual.

After a delicious dinner, Johnnie and I cleared the table—after a battle with the Smith family. My sister ran a tight ship, and everyone was expected to help. Still, Kolson and Kenji heated the brownies and added the vanilla ice cream with varying degrees of success.

Whatever. It all went down the same way, and when Johnnie moaned his pleasure, my cock sat up and paid attention.

Damn thing.

I would’ve run Kenji home, but his mom came to pick him up after her shift at the hospital, which wasn’t far away. She worked as a dietician and although she made a decent salary, Vancouver was damn expensive—especially for a single mom with two growing boys. Which explained why she lived in Strathcona and still struggled.

After waving Kenji and his mom off, Johnnie and I said our goodbyes to the Smiths and headed to our respective vehicles.

The night air was crisp, and although we had a full moon, the meteorologist promised rain for the next few days—including for his game Friday night.

“I have something for you.” He gave me his wicked grin.

“Oh?” I tried to effectuate disinterest, but the truth was, he intrigued me more and more. Gone was my assumption he was all fluff and no substance. The clinic last night and dinner tonight had solidified that he could, given the right circumstances, be an upright-and-serious guy.

He handed me a ticket. “Next time I’ll get some for your entire family. I’ve just got one for Friday’s game.”

“That’s, uh…” I considered. “Are there still tickets for the game?”

“Yeah, pretty sure.”

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