He folded the ladder and hoisted it on his shoulder. “I just had breakfast at Shelby’s.”
“Ah.” His mother smiled knowingly as she removed her gloves.
Nick hung the ladder in the garage and then followed her inside the house. “What does ‘ah’ mean? And why don’t you hire someone to do the gutters? Or call me and I’ll do them.”
He took his usual place at the old kitchen table, the same sturdy wooden one that had been there his whole life.
“Oh, you’ll do it, huh? You mean you’d actually squeeze me into your twenty-four seven work schedule?”
He crossed his arms and stayed silent, refusing to get into that familiar argument.
His mom sighed as she opened the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of tea. “Never mind. I’m perfectly capable. Who do you think has been doing the gutters around here for the past twenty years? And I said ‘ah’ about Shelby because your father called this morning and told me what happened last night. I hope you were at Shelby’s house this morning apologizing?”
Lori came into the kitchen with an empty glass in her hand. “Nick apologized for something? This ought to be good.” She plopped down across the table from him.
They were doing it again, outflanking and outnumbering him. “It seems all I’m doing lately is apologizing to women. It’s getting old.”
“Women? As in plural?” Lori grinned. “Beth wanted you back, didn’t she? And you felt all bad, but not bad enough to knock down that big wall around your heart and give love a chance. Although I saw something in the way you looked at Shelby the other night at the book signing.”
His mom nodded. “Yes! I saw that too, at the hospital.” She turned to Lori, “Maybe Shelby will be the one. Emily would certainly approve of that.”
“Stop!” He held up his hands. “Sorry to burst your love bubbles ladies, but Shelby has her sights on some other guy. She and I are just friends.” Sort of. She probably wouldn’t say so, but he liked her.
“Well, friends is a fine place to start.” His mom patted his cheek. “Even your dad said you made a good-looking couple. That’s why he bid on your date last night.”
“No, he bid on Shelby because he’s a controlling bastard.”
His mom sat down. “Everyone else in the family has forgiven your father but you, Nick. He was trying to be nice last night. He thought Shelby was a lovely woman.”
He couldn’t sit any longer and stood to pace. “Why do you always give him the benefit of the doubt? He just did that so he could look like the perfect father in front of all those potential clients.”
Lori laughed. “The country club set doesn’t give a damn about being thought of as good parents. They’re more interested in sealing that next deal and who makes the most money among them. Be careful Nick, or you’ll become just like them the way you work night and day for the almighty dollar.”
Recalling how Shelby’s aunt treated her, and her uncle’s obsession that she marry just the right guy, weighed heavy on the side of Lori’s theory. Not the part about his working and making money, but about the good parent image. “Just because I work hard and make a good living does not make me one of them. I’ll never be like dad.”
His mom sighed. “You aren’t anything like you father, Nick. You’re a better person than he could ever be. He knows that, and he’s very proud of you. Why do you think your father has never remarried in the past twenty years? He figured out he’s not cut out to be a good husband, but that doesn’t make him a bad person, just a poor spouse. All he wants now is to be a part of his family’s lives. Including yours.”
Nick shook his head. “He gave up that right when he asked me to lie to you, Mom. I have to go.” He started for the door, but then remembered why he was there. “Lori, do you think Em would want to go to the Broncos game with me and Shelby tomorrow night?
Lori smiled. “Emily will be beside herself. I think she might be as much in love with Shelby as you are.”
“I’m not—”
His sister laughed and turned to their mother. “I told you. The man is completely dense when it comes to feelings. He never saw it with Beth, and now he can’t even recognize it in himself.”
“Don’t play your silly matchmaker games with me. I’m immune. I’ll pick Emily up in the limo here at five.” He slammed the door behind him to cut off any further ridiculous discussion.
It was futile to argue with them. Either of them. He wished his sister Rachel lived in town. She tended to side with him and helped even out the numbers. Except when the arguments were about his father. Nick was an island there. And he planned to remain one. Let the rest of them pretend their father wasn’t so bad. He knew the truth.
Strapping in, he started his car and backed out of the driveway. A week ago his life had been orderly and under control. Since the day he’d met Shelby everything had been out of sync.
But, admittedly, it’d been a nice change.
Maybe he had been working too much.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Chester really liked football. And Julie.”
Chester’s First Crush
Nick didn’t have time to get out of the limo before Shelby emerged from her house for the game on Monday evening. She’d dressed head to toe in Bronco’s gear, complete with an oversized jersey, well-worn jeans, orange tennis shoes with blue laces, and her blonde hair had slim streaks of the team colors. There was even a Bronco’s logo tattooed on her cheek. Did she go over the top like that because of what he’d told her about other women pretending to like football? Was this her way of saying “in your face?”
Shelby greeted Sam, her uncle’s elderly driver, as she slid inside the limo and then sent Emily one of her cute smiles. “Hi, Emily.”
“Hi, Shelby!” Emily hopped up and down on her seat. “Is that a real tattoo on your face? And isn’t this the biggest car you’ve ever been in?”
Shelby laughed. “This is my uncle’s little limo. You should see the other one. And no, this isn’t a real tattoo. It washes off.” Shelby finally glanced at him. “Hi. Okay if Emily has one?”
“Sure.” While Shelby decorated Em’s face, he glanced at his Broncos polo shirt—the kind the coaches wear on the sidelines—feeling underdressed.
After Sam dropped them right in front of the stadium entrance, Shelby led the way, her perfect butt swaying enticingly, to the executive suites. The electric excitement of the fans rushed through him at the prospect of seeing the Broncos attempt to keep their winning streak alive. And who knew? Maybe he’d start a winning streak of his own with Shelby, and she’d finally forgive him for abandoning her at the auction.
Emily’s eyes lit with longing as they passed the food vendors. “Look, Uncle Nick, your favorites. Hot dogs, peanuts, and ice cream. Wait, Dots! They’re my favorite.”
When he reached for his wallet, Shelby said, “Don’t you dare, Nick. Emily needs to eat dinner first, then Dots.”
He pulled a face for Emily’s sake. “Shelby’s boring, like your mom. Next time, it’ll just be you and me, and we’ll eat Dots for dinner.”
Emily shook her head and slipped her hand into Shelby’s. “No. Shelby too.”
Shelby met his gaze and beamed a take-that smirk. How could she look so damned sexy dressed like a ten-year-old boy? It made no sense.
“Let’s go see what kind of boring food they have waiting for us upstairs, Em.” She scooped Emily up in her arms. “Then we’ll get you some Dots for dessert. Maybe if your uncle can behave, we’ll let him have some too.”
Following behind Shelby’s cute little ass up the stairs to her uncle’s box wasn’t going to make behaving any easier.
Her uncle’s suite was huge. As Nick held the door open for them, he slipped his hand around Shelby’s arm to stop her and whispered, “Is that the mayor and his wife over there?” Shelby hung out with an interesting crowd.
She smiled. “Yes. And standing by the bar are a few former players you may recognize.”
Jake Ramsey, the newly retired
Probowl hall of famer, in the flesh, called out, “Shelby! You’re late, little one. Get over here and catch up before these thugs drink all your uncle’s beer!”
Shelby laughed as she accepted their bear hugs and then she introduced them all. The sheer size of the men had Emily’s eyes popping.
Nick shook their hands, trying not to look like a little kid meeting Santa for the first time. “Pleasure to meet you guys.”
And when he spotted the “boring grub,” he stopped dead in his tracks. “I expected hot dogs and burgers. Nothing like this.” His mouth watered as he eyed the Kobe steak, crab cakes, pasta, and huge baked potatoes with all the fixings. And of course, the obligatory brats, hotdogs, and hamburgers.
Shelby handed him a china plate. “Welcome to Uncle Jack’s world. Hurry and load up, the game starts in a half hour.” Then she caught one of the passing waiters and asked him to bring three cups of Dots for dessert.
***
Shelby stole a quick glance at Nick. His plate was empty. Again. He’d gone back three times for more. Seems he was having a good time filling that perfect six-pack-abs belly.
She’d never forget the look on his face when he’d seen her get into the limo. It was awesome, but the suspicious glances he’d been sending her way told her he still didn’t think she was a real fan.
Whatever. Better to keep him guessing. More fun that way.
It was almost kick-off so they moved to the front seats to watch the game while they ate dessert. She called her friend Michael, the mayor’s son, over. “Look what we’ve got, Mikey. Dots!” She handed her cup to him, saving room for some nachos later.
“Thanks, Shelby. Love you!” Michael had Down syndrome and was the sweetest man she’d ever met. He dug in as he went back to sit with his parents.
After the game had started, she and Nick were captivated, but Emily didn’t seem to be as interested. Shelby leaned close to Emily and whispered, “Mikey gets bored during the game sometimes, so he always brings a bag of toys. I’m sure he’d share with you.”
Emily frowned. “But he’s a grown-up. He’s probably got boring toys.”
“Mikey’s a special grown-up. While his body gets older, he still likes the same things kids do. He’s a really sweet man.”
Emily ate a few bites of her treat as she considered. “Sort of like Peter Pan, but real?”
“Sort of.” She gave Emily a hug. Em was an adorable kid who made Shelby want a little Emily of her own. “You should go play with him when you’re done.”
Em nodded while stuffing Dots in her mouth. “’Kay.”
Nick sat on the edge of his seat, a beer in his hand, with a mile-wide grin. She’d been careful to keep her distance, not looking for a repeat of what happened on her living room floor. She was focusing on Greg, who’d be home in a few days. But Nick’s joy was contagious. “Having a good time?”
“Nah. It’s been almost as bad as that charity thing the other night.” He leaned back and slipped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. Then he moved his mouth to her ear and whispered, “You look even hotter in that jersey than you did in the red dress.”
Her stomach did that clenching thing again. “Personally, I’m going with the tux on you. That’s some lame excuse for fan wear you’re rocking.”
“You’d put any fan to shame with your gear.” As he watched the game, he slid his wrist to the back of her padded seat, and his fingers gently massaged her neck.
She barely resisted the urge to purr.
As the quarterback let loose of the ball, Nick’s hand stilled. After the play was over, his fingers moved in small circles again. “I can’t believe you know so many ex-players. And you’re on a first name basis with the mayor and his family? How do I get myself invited for the next home game?”
She should lean away from his soft touch, but it was hypnotic. She’d missed the simple pleasure of a gentle caress. But he was probably just doing that to suck up to her and get invited back. “Have I mentioned how much I like nachos with my beer?”
He grinned as he plucked her empty beer cup from her hand. “How about I start by getting you a refill?”
“Good plan.” When he left, she turned her attention back to the game. What was she doing? Letting him touch her like that? She didn’t even like him. Well, that wasn’t entirely true, she didn’t dislike him. He just bugged the heck out of her sometimes. Most of the time. But then there were those rare moments . . . no. It was just hormones. Or pheromones? She’d have to look that up. Nick was the best-looking man she’d ever known and it clouded her thinking. She should go join her buddies and forget about him.
Em was happy playing with Mikey so she crossed the suite to talk to her gigantic pals.
Jake slipped his big arm around her waist and pulled her against his side. “Shelby darling. When you gonna break down and marry me?”
“I can’t take a man serious who asks without a rock.” She slid her arm around his waist and returned his hug. “Besides, I’m afraid of your wife. She’s a lot bigger than me.”
He chuckled. “Everyone’s a lot bigger than you. Ooh, did you see that?” He pointed down field and they lost themselves in the game. A few minutes later, Nick appeared by her side with a beer and a plate of nachos. She unwrapped herself from Jake’s big arm and accepted them. “Thanks.”
Jake lifted his chin in Nick’s direction. “Yo. Be good to her man, or you got me and my men here to answer to.”
Nick’s chest puffed out as he crossed his arms. “Seems to me, it’s you who better watch out. You just had your arm around my date. Want to step outside?”
When Jake’s eyes narrowed, Shelby’s stomach took a dive. What the heck was Nick doing? The man outweighed him by at least a hundred and fifty pounds. “Jake, Nick was just—”
Then Jake’s face lit with a big grin. “Well, now. That took some big cojones, didn’t it?” He slapped Nick on the back so hard he took a step forward. “I think you’ll do just fine for our little Shelby. Step up on over here and let me buy you a drink . . . or three.”
Nick sent her a smug grin as he disappeared into the big cloud of testosterone surrounding the bar.
Men.
She shook her head and went to check on Emily.
Emily and Mikey were working on an impressive castle made with Legos. “Hey guys.” She stuck her plate of nachos out, but got silent head shakes in return. Evidently building stuff with Legos was serious business. She’d never had Legos as a kid. It was halftime, so maybe she’d give it a try.
Between gooey, cheesy bites of nachos, and swigs of beer to wash it down, she went to work.
Just as she was putting the pice de la résistance on the top, Nick’s hands spread across her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. “That might be the most pathetic attempt at a house I’ve ever seen.”
“That’s because it’s not a house. It’s a castle.”
He laughed. “Then it’s even worse. Best to stick to using the good side of your brain writing books and finding soul mates.”
“I don’t recall seeing Lego Building Inspector on your application, buddy. And the other side of my brain works just fine.” She swatted his hands off her shoulders for good measure. And because she was liking his touch just a little too much.
Nick called out, “Em and Mike? We need a ruling over here. Shelby’s kinda bad at this, right?”
Mikey said, “Yeah. But she’s nice.”
Em scrunched up her nose. “She did her best, Uncle Nick.”
Ouch.
Shelby reexamined her masterpiece with a serious critic’s eye and . . . had to agree. It pretty much sucked.
Nick’s blue eyes shone with victory so she said, “Rule number three in the dating manual states: always compliment your date, even if she creates crooked Lego castles. Clearly you need to do your dating homework, Caldwell.”
“My bad.” Nick smiled so sweetly it made her heart do a funny little jig. He held out a hand to help her off the floor, so she let him.
“Forward that manual to my e-mail and I’ll do my best to make you proud. But halftime is almost over. Want to go watch the rest of the game with the guys?”
With the guys? Did he mean her guys? “You come to one game and you think you’re automatically in the club? It doesn’t work that way. We’ve all been tight for years. You have to earn your membership.”
“They said any guy you’re with has to be all right. So, I’m in. Jake invited me back next week. He said he’d leave my name at the gate. How cool is that?”
She rolled her eyes. “Standardless Neanderthals, each and every one of you.”
“Is standardless even a word?”
“You dare to doubt a writer? Maybe you’d like to put your money where your mouth is?”
“Never mind. But I’m going to google that later just to keep you honest.” Nick wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her toward the bar. “This is the best date I’ve ever had, Shelby.”
“That’s not saying much. You don’t do real dating. Remember?”
His lips tilted in an I’m-a-little-bit-drunk way. “That’s going to have to change now.”
“Yeah, well to get to this level of date, you’re going to have to learn how to get past the first meet. Are you willing to fit me into your ridiculous work schedule so I can help you do that?”
“Absolutely.”
Shelby leaned closer, peering into his eyes. Was it just the beer talking? “So instead of me finding you another sex partner, you’re really going to give dating an honest chance?”
He pondered for a moment. Then he nodded sharply. “If dating can be like today, then I’m in! Let’s go, the game just started.”
***
Nick slid next to Shelby in the limo after they dropped Em off. Their next stop would be Shelby’s house.
Her pretty blonde hair fell over her shoulder as she texted on her phone, arranging a lunch date for him the next day. It’d be hard to top the evening they’d just had. He was still enjoying a happy buzz from trying to keep up with those ex-players who could really pack the beers away. But the best part was figuring out that Shelby was a true football fan. The way she’d gotten in Jake’s face and argued a call with him had been . . . impressive!
Matching Mr. Right (Rocky Mountain Matchmaker Series Book 1) Page 7