She took an instant liking to the charismatic ghost hunter. He was dedicated to his chosen career and wasn’t afraid to debunk the myths and stereotypes regarding ghost hunting.
“Hi, Avery,” Remy greeted her pleasantly. “I heard you were hurt. How are you doing?”
“Much better, thanks for asking,” Avery answered. “Hi, Eve.”
She hugged her best friend and glanced up at Remy, who was busy staring at Eve’s ass. Eve tended to wear business suits or slacks when working. Today she wore faded blue jeans, gold sneakers on her feet and a green sweater in honor of the Griffins’ colors.
Her hair wasn’t wrapped up in a bun. It fell long and loose and down to Eve’s hips. Her makeup was different, more casual and free.
“You must be excited for the game,” Eve said, stepping back and almost into Remy.
For his part, Remy had swept his black and red-streaked hair into a simple ponytail and dressed all in black. His combat boots looked heavy. But he was a tall guy, almost as tall as Phalen and Ethan, so he rocked the bad boy shit-kickers easily.
“I can’t wait,” Avery admitted. “I talked to Hazard this morning and the team’s all set to go. He arrived at Griffins Nest Stadium at nine o’clock.”
“When the Griffins win, we’ll have to have champagne,” Eve said.
“I like your positive attitude,” Avery responded.
Along with Eve and Remy, Avery went to help Cassie, who was heating up a mammoth pot of New England clam chowder, or chowdah, as any Maddox brother would say.
Pizza, chowder and an ample supply of veggies and dip were the perfect complements to football. The only thing they needed was beer. There was plenty already being iced down in coolers in the back party room where the party would take place.
“Cassie, do you need any help?” Avery offered.
“No, I’m good.”
“Okay, I’m heading to the party room to see if I can be of help there.” Avery nodded to Eve and Remy and headed off.
In the party room, the nationally televised pregame coverage was on the gigantic screen. Phalen had a remote and turned up the volume. Griffins Nest Stadium was already filled to capacity and players from both teams were on the field.
Easily picking out Hazard among a group of defensive lineman working out mid-field, Avery couldn’t look away. He wasn’t even in full football gear yet, but his shoulder pads were on and his green uniform pants fitted him like a second skin.
“Whoa,” she said, getting hot just watching Hazard on television. “I think I need a cold beer.”
“What’s that, darlin’?” Phalen asked with a devilish grin. “Caught sight of your man, hmm?”
“He looks good to me, Phalen.”
“Well, you know I don’t go that way, but I liked Osbourne the minute we met. He’s a straight-up kind of guy. You just make sure he treats you right. If he doesn’t, let me know.”
“What will you do if something goes wrong?”
“Make him rue the day he stepped out of line with my sister. Your ex-boyfriend was a selfish prick. There’s no way in hell I’d let another man cheat on you or treat you badly.”
He walked over to one of the beer coolers, grabbed a long neck and brought it back to her. For a big guy with broad shoulders, Phalen moved with the grace of a tiger and swiftness of a cheetah. The beer was in her hand in the matter of seconds.
Touched by Phalen’s words, Avery caught him up in a hug. “Thanks, Phalen. Always knew you were a softie,” she said, kissing his chin.
“Shh, don’t tell. Wouldn’t want anyone but Cassie knowing the truth.”
“Can I get one of those hugs?” Ryan asked Avery from close by.
“You bet,” Avery said, engulfing Ryan and nearly bonking him with the beer bottle. “You and Alexander were kind to open this place up for a football party.”
Ryan didn’t seem to mind the near mishap with the bottle. “Given the fact that your boyfriend is a Griffin and Alex represents him, Kyran Black and two other current players on that team, I’d say we’d be remiss if we didn’t have a playoff party.”
“What will you guys do if the Griffins move on?” Phalen asked.
“Have another party,” Alexander answered, coming to join them with two beers in his hands, offering one to Ryan.
“And the big show?” Avery questioned.
“If that happens, I’m chartering a plane for the New England contingent of Griffins fans and taking them to Houston where the championship is being held.”
“Seriously?” she asked.
“Yes. Wouldn’t you want to be there, Avery?”
“You bet I would,” she confirmed, hugging her brother before taking a long cool sip of beer.
A few more guests arrived at the castle, primarily staff who worked for Alexander and Ryan and also from Cassie’s diner. Game time neared and everyone claimed seats before kickoff.
Guinness, Ethan and Morgan’s huge mixed-breed dog, became an instant hit among guests, going from person to person to greet them and inspect the goodies they had on their plates. No one gave him anything that might make him sick, but he clearly loved being the center of attention.
Avery offered her hand out, smiling when Guinness trotted over for her to scratch his ears. Silently, she wondered if Hazard received the Kindle Fire she’d preloaded with books, popular apps, movies and an extensive music playlist complete with Bad Things and songs that would remind him of their time in Dare.
Hazard wasn’t a flowers and candy kind of guy, so she thought the lightweight tablet would be just the thing for when the team traveled. She hadn’t been sure if wives and girlfriends sent gifts to kick off the playoff season, but she went with her gut on this one and sent him a present to let him know she was with him in spirit.
The game began after the teams were officially introduced to the stadium crowd and the national anthem was performed by a Baltimore–Washington–Virginia area rock band. The same band would play during the halftime show.
A flourish of fireworks went off and the stage was set. The Griffins won the coin toss and elected to defer. That meant the Griffins’ offense, led by quarterback Ricky Weathers and a solid offensive line, a bulldog of a running back and wide receiver, Dallas McKay, would get the ball first in the second half of the game.
It also meant the Griffins’ defense would take the field after the kickoff. The Griffins’ winning season was largely due to a strong defense that routinely kept the opposing teams to field goals and three downs and out with a punt, allowing the Griffins’ explosive offense to wear out opposing defenders.
At the start of the game, the Griffins’ placekicker blasted the football so far down field that the Wolves’ kickoff returner was downed on the five-yard line. They had a long way to go if they were to score.
The Griffins’ defense held up to their statistics. Before the first three minutes ticked down, the Wolves were three and out. The corresponding punt was high and short, giving the Griffins’ special teams kick returner plenty of room to advance the ball to the forty-yard line.
A touchdown pass by Ricky Weathers to Dallas McKay gave the Griffins six points eight minutes into the first quarter. Rather than going for two extra points that early in the game, the Griffins’ kicker went for the sure thing by splitting the uprights, one point.
By the end of the first quarter, the Alexandria Griffins were ahead by seventeen to three, with Hazard Osbourne credited with a quarterback sack, two tackles and an assist. At halftime, the Griffins were ahead twenty-four to six.
Everyone at the party was pulling for their friends in Alexandria, Virginia, the food and drinks flowed easily and laughter was contagious. The pizza was delicious and the beer was good, though Avery switched to soda after having two beers.
When the Griffins took the field after the half, they maintained their dominance. The Wolves managed to add a TD late in the third, but after that, the Griffins’ D shut them down for good, giving Ricky and Dallas and running back Jerrod Marks pl
enty of time to shred the opposing team’s tired red zone defense.
In the end, the Alexandria Griffins won the division, earning the right to play for the regional title and possibly the championship.
“Looks like we’re all heading for Houston in a few weeks,” Phalen pronounced after he’d fist-pumped with his brothers. “I’m thinking some time away from New England would do us all some good.”
“The Griffins have to win the regional title first,” Alexander pointed out. “But if the offense and defense plays like they did today, their chances of a championship are really good.”
“The only way Morgan and I are going is if her doctor and the midwife assure us it’s okay to fly,” Ethan stated.
“We’ll be fine,” Morgan assured. “If the Griffins make the league championship, I’m not missing it.”
“Midwife?” Taran questioned, looking back and forth at Ethan and Morgan.
“Morgan’s elected to give birth at home, if at all possible,” Ethan said.
“And you’re okay with this?” Taran demanded, shaking his head. “What happened to my levelheaded brother?”
“I support what my wife wants,” Ethan said. “She and the baby are getting excellent medical care.”
“The use of midwives has been around for centuries,” Morgan commented. “I’m not overly fond of hospitals, Taran. You must know that by now.”
“But you’re having a baby!”
Morgan grinned so wide, she lit up the room. Avery watched the interplay with interest. It was clear Taran loved her like a sister. His concern was admirable, but Avery was totally onboard with her friend’s choice to have a midwife.
“Yes, I am,” Morgan said to Taran. “And I love you, you big dolt. Don’t go worrying about this. Everything will be fine. The baby’s growing stronger and I feel great.”
“Phalen, is Cassie doing this midwife-home-birth thing?”
Phalen stood next to Cassie, his hand at her back where he gently massaged. Cassie’s baby bump was more noticeable than Morgan’s. “She prefers the hospital, but she’s talked to the midwife and is learning more about delivery options. There’s plenty of time to make that decision.”
“For the record, I don’t like it,” Taran stated, then switched his focus to Sam, who was currently dishing up a big bowl of chowder at the long buffet table set up for the party. “If we have a baby, you’re going to the hospital. We clear?”
Sam frowned, looking around to belatedly discover everyone in the room was focused on her now.
“You won’t have to worry about it, big boy,” she finally said.
“Like hell I won’t,” Taran told her. “If something happened to you or the baby, it would destroy me.”
Sam put her bowl down carefully. “Don’t you dare do that!” she snapped so sharply the dull conversations going on about football ended.
“Do what?” Taran asked.
“Think your Maddox charm is going to dominate and seduce me. You don’t call for weeks. You don’t acknowledge that I’m even in the same room most of the time. And suddenly, when we’re among friends, you act like you care. That’s bullshit.”
Taran smiled as if he’d won a prize. “You think I’m charming?” he challenged.
“There will be no midwife or obstetricians, okay? Leave it.” Sam was in panic mode.
If Taran didn’t back off or say something she needed to hear, he was going to take a giant step backward in his attempts to charm Detective Samantha Riley. It was Morgan who stepped into his path and kept him from marching across the room to face off with Sam.
Morgan whispered something, calming him with her customary gentleness. He kept his eyes on Sam, who didn’t move one single inch.
Regardless, it wasn’t in Taran to say absolutely nothing. Still standing where he’d been, he turned his attention to Sam. “Never doubt that I care about you. I gave you time, doll. Time’s up.”
Sam retreated several steps and was about to make a run for it when Avery’s cellphone started playing Bad Things. Unhooking it from her jeans pocket, she answered.
“Congratulations, Hazard!” Avery greeted, getting caught up in hearing him answer.
“Hey, baby, thank you for the cheer and for the gift,” he said. “It was a real nice surprise.”
“You liked it?”
“Loved it, but I’m holding off on reading the Ransom Hunter collection until I’m with you. I’m hoping we’ll get started on that tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Check your inbox on your phone,” Hazard replied.
A cacophony of male voices and celebrations could be heard over the cellphone connection. It sounded as if a party was going on wherever he was calling from.
Checking her email, she discovered a flight itinerary. “You’re coming up here?”
“If you don’t mind celebrating with a banged-up linebacker, yeah,” he said. “My muscles are going to be protesting real soon and I’m going to need my personal physical therapist to assist. Think you can handle the job?”
“I’d love to. What about your dad and brother?”
“We had a great visit. I’m taking them back to the airport as soon as I take a shower and finish up with the press. I should get to Boston by eight.”
Avery’s heartbeat danced a happy jig. Hazard was coming to see her. “Your coach isn’t going to object?”
“I’m not required to be anywhere until Tuesday morning. After that, preparations begin for the next playoff game. I bought the plane ticket with an open-ended return flight. I figured if we lost, you and I could commiserate. If we won, you and I could celebrate.”
“Then you should get your ass to the airport and I’ll meet you at Logan,” Avery commanded playfully.
“I can always rent a car and use GPS to get to your apartment.”
“No. I’ve got something in mind.” Her newly cleaned red dress came to mind. The stilettos would make her ankle beg for some healing massage and RICE later, so she would have to wear some more modest heels, but she was going to make a lasting impression on Hazard Osbourne tonight, despite her shoes.
“In that case, I’m only bringing a carryon bag, so don’t go to baggage claim.”
“Okay. There’s a place for drivers to park close to the terminal while waiting to pick up arriving passengers. I’ll text the location to you and pick you up at the closest entrance to that area.”
“Looking forward to it,” Hazard replied as someone called his name. “Avery, I have to go. I love you and can’t wait to see you.”
“Same here.” They said goodbye and ended the call.
Avery let out a happy shriek.
“What’s all the excitement for?” Eve asked.
“Hazard’s flying up to Boston to see me tonight.”
“Guess that means someone’s going to disappear for the rest of the weekend,” Phalen commented.
“I’ve got to get ready,” Avery stated. “Except, Alexander, if you and Ryan want me to stay to help clean up, I will.”
Alexander came up and brought her in for a hug. “Go ahead and take the time you need. We’ve got this covered. Your time with Hazard will be limited until the playoffs are over.”
“Hell, Alex, when did you stop being a hard-ass? Thought for sure you’d want to break the linebacker’s nose for dating your sister,” Taran quipped.
“Since he met me,” Ryan said. “Be careful, Taran, you tease my husband again, I’ll wrestle you until you say you’re sorry.”
Taran loved a challenge. Naturally, he puffed up his chest and stepped forward.
“You just want the chance to grab my ass.”
“Only part of me you’ll have to worry about is my foot when I kick your scrawny ass,” Ryan declared with a menacing smile that promised he was not intimated by the youngest but tallest Maddox in the room.
“According to Morgan, Taran has a fabulous ass,” Sam added, much to everyone’s surprise. “From where I’m standing, I’d say she’s right.”
/> Taran swung around and faced off with Sam. “No need to be jealous, doll. If you’d like to check out what I’ve got in private, I’m all yours.”
“I’m likely to bite,” Sam warned.
“My kind of lady,” Taran countered with ease.
And with that, Avery decided to take her leave. She had baskets of laundry to put away and fresh sheets for her bed.
Most in the room were too caught up in watching Sam and Taran banter to notice Avery quietly slip out, gather her coat and purse from where she’d left it in the kitchen and go outside.
It only took a minute or two to reach her Honda, climb in and head home. Oh, the tales that red dress could tell, and would tell again!
* * * * *
Hazard’s flight was the longest hour of his life. It wasn’t that anything went wrong.
As a matter of fact, the pilot touched down without much hassle and the flight attendant in first class was professional and easy to be around. During the flight, he agreed to sign some autographs and didn’t mind talking to those around him about football.
He was proud of the Griffins making it to the next round of the playoffs. Now that the plane was parked at the gate, what he really wanted was to see Avery and spend the next forty-eight hours in bed.
A little sore and a lot horny, Hazard waited for his turn to disembark and remembered to turn on his phone for Avery’s text. There was nothing.
Thinking the signal was delayed or hampered due to the plane, he made his way into the terminal and checked the phone again. Still no text from Avery.
His flight was on time. Maybe she’d gotten caught in traffic. He texted Avery just to let her know he’d arrived and went to an information desk to ask where the temporary parking area for those waiting to pick up arriving passengers was located and headed in that direction.
His carryon was light. He wore a game-day business suit, as all players were required to do for a home or an away game. The dark-brown pants, matching suit coat and medium brown shirt were complemented by the tie that he tucked into his pocket as he walked.
He hadn’t bothered with a winter coat. But a step outside on a cold winter evening in Boston reminded him that he should have.
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