Page 1 of The Comeback

Charlotte

When his hand covers mine, my breath catches as a jolt of awareness travels up my arm and straight to my toes. No. That was my imagination. It must have been static from the floor. I did too many pirouettes teaching the children. That’s it.

I jerk my hand back and rub it on my leggings. I’m a professional, and I’m not going to fangirl all over him. He doesn’t need to know I know who he is. Football players have the biggest egos on the planet. “Do you have a child that’s interested in learning dance?”

“No.” He shoves his hands into his pockets and looks as uncomfortable as a newborn colt skidding on a puddle of ice. He clears his throat. “Well…. Um…. Listen.” He inhales and straightens his shoulders. “Devin said he came here and learned better balance, and it helped him on the football field.”

When he sighs, I bite my bottom lip. There’s something about big, bad boys being uncomfortable that makes me giddy. It probably comes from growing up in a household of testosterone.

“Let me start over. I play football on the team with Devin. I was traded here from New York.” He frowns. “Are you familiar with football at all?”

Interesting. No one told him who I was. I cross my arms over my chest. “I’ve seen it played a time or two.”

“Several months ago, I had an Achille’s tendon injury. After healing from the surgery, I made huge strides in getting my speed back.” He shrugs. “At least most of it.”

“And you think ballet will help you with the rest?” My gaze settles on his lips. He has a gorgeous mouth with the perfect puffiness to the bottom one.

Why am I staring at his mouth? I jerk my attention back to his eyes.

“Not really. I don’t see how dancing can help me get the two steps I’ve lost back.” He rakes a hand through his hair. The muscles in his biceps and abs constrict with his movements. He might not have gotten his step back, but the rest of him is prime real estate.

Like I expected anything different. An enlightened football player is too much to ask for. “So, why are you here?”

He presses his lips together. “I figure why not try it? Devin said it helped him with balance. I guess it’s kind of like getting your horoscope read.”

I narrow my eyes and tilt my head. “Ballet is like getting your horoscope read?”

Chapter One

Charlotte

Sunday dinner at my parent’s house only happens during the summer months. The rest of the time, my dad is neck-deep in football as the wide receiver coach for the local professional football team.

As the only girl that grew up in a household with three brothers and a father that lived and breathed football, I can’t stand the sport. Or at least, that’s the game I play with them.

“Pass me the mashed potatoes.” My dad throws his hand in my older brother Knox’s direction. Knox is a defensive player on my dad’s team. The only one in the family that doesn’t play for the offense.

“Sure thing.” Knox grabs the blue ceramic bowl and hands it to him as steam swirls above the perfectly whipped potatoes.

“Do we need more?” My mom’s brow creases, and she rubs her hands together and fidgets as if she’s getting ready to stand.

“Mom.” I roll my eyes. “You aren’t making more mashed potatoes for these monsters? They’ll make do with what we have.” These momma’s boys are always getting their way. If one of them says jump, she jumps, and they take advantage of it.

Ace glares at me with little slits where his eyes should be. The quintessential sibling hate he’s tossing in my direction radiates outward in waves. “Mind your own business, sweet cheeks. We’re growing men.” Ace and Hayden are my twin brothers. My twin younger brothers. They’re due to graduate from college next year.

“Eat a loaf of bread.” I snatch the chicken leg off my plate as my mouth waters. Fried chicken. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Homemade rolls. It’s my one opportunity a week to overindulge, and I’m not passing it up.

Hayden snorts. “You’ve got plenty on your own plate.”

“Shut up.” I unceremoniously bite into the chicken and close my eyes. My mom is the best cook in the world.

“Now, honey, I wasn’t going to peel potatoes. I’ve got some of those instant ones in the pantry.”

“Mom…” Knox makes a gagging sound, and my eyes pop open.

We all stare at her in horror while my other brothers join in by making varied sounds of disgust. One thing that happens when you have three brothers–you get used to obnoxious sounds and smells at the dinner table.

Okay, you get used to them anywhere.

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