"Well, I want one of you to win." Ryan leaned on the back of Everson's chair. "So either your foundation can donate to breast cancer research or Everson can donate the money to the LGBTQ homeless shelter we support."
Everson reached back and laid his hand on top of Ryan's. "You're the best."
"And by the best, you mean overly organized." Ryan rolled his eyes and smiled. "I can't help it. I got excited. I feel like I'm your coach teaching you a new playbook."
Ryan was so together. Xavier hadn't been nearly as poised at that age. Back then, excitement and enjoyment had ruled. Thank goodness he'd come to his senses, even if the catalyst had been waking up in the stadium parking lot without having any clue how he got there, on a game day, dangerously close to having alcohol poisoning.
He took a long pull on the bottle, trying to wash away the memory.
"Not only that." Ryan placed a white and green box on the table's center and flipped open the lid. "Mom's recipes."
"I'd forgotten you had them." Memories of that box, of Mom, of sitting at the kitchen table while she baked hit him harder than a linebacker intent on taking him down.
Shane handed him a card he'd plucked from the box. "I remember the day she found you coloring on the backs of some of the cards. You told her you were writing recipes. I think you were four."
Sure enough, the card had green crayon scribbled all over his mother's careful script. Tears stung Xavier's eyes. "She never wrote out a new card to replace it."
Ryan rounded the table and laid a gentle hand on his back. "You should keep that one."
He sniffed once, swallowed until the threat of tears receded, and then tucked the card in his pocket. "Maybe I'll carry it with me for good luck during the competition."
"You should," Shane tugged the box forward and rifled through it. "Since next Sunday is Mother's Day, maybe we find something in here to make for dinner. I think Mom would have liked that."
Ryan tugged the box back, straightening the ruffled cards. "Take some pics of the cards and text them to Leo. He should get to weigh in."
"He's coming home?" Xavier was surprised and pleased. Their pro hockey playing brother's team had just been eliminated from the second round of the Cup playoffs, but with the injuries sustained and treatments required, he hadn't expected to see Leo for at least another few weeks.
"Just for a few days, to get a second opinion on one form of therapy. Then he's going back to Buffalo, but he'll be home again for Dad's birthday. With his and Kelsey's schedules, they'll be going back and forth between both cities for a while this summer."
"I was hoping he'd be here the day I have to go up to New York to co-host Pro Football Daily. He and Kelsey—mainly Kelsey—have been giving me tips on posture and body language. I wouldn't mind if they went up with me, for last-minute advice."
Shane sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're really putting a lot of pressure on yourself with that gig."
"It needs to go well. I had to call in a few favors to even get it. This isn't a quick segment or phone interview. It's co-hosting for the whole hour. If I want to go into broadcasting after my playing days are behind me, this will help me get there. I need to show the network what I can do."
Everson looked up from his set of baking cards. "What day are you going up?"
"It's a few days before the competition starts. I called Mr. Mills earlier today, told him when I'd be on and said I'd promote the competition too. He conferenced his daughter in on the call. Within five minutes, she sent me an email with talking points. Now I feel like Food TV, The Frenzy, and my foundation are all depending on me to do well too."
"Don't let it get to you." Shane's advice cut through the tension buzzing in Xavier's brain. "Everything you've got lined up takes practice. And you've got Ryan to help you with the baking, and Leo and Kelsey to help with the hosting and broadcast stuff. So, don't worry."
Don't worry? Easier said than done.
Xavier shuffled through the cards again. Inspiration struck, and he took a few photos of the flashcards. Then, he sent a text to Ashley with the pictures and captioned them Being a good student here.
Seconds later, her response appeared.
Ashley: Oh, I like what I'm seeing. Flash cards are genius.
She sent a row of smiling emojis.
Grinning, Xavier responded: I'll tell my brother you said that. He made them.
He wasn't quite ready to leave it at that. We're looking at some of my mom's recipes too.
Ashley: I'd love to see them. Can you bring some with you when we have our first baking together try-out?
He responded with a thumbs up emoji.
Shane's fist rapped on the table, right by Xavier's hands. "What's making you smile so big?"
"Nothing. Just... Ashley." He'd thought of her every day since that coffee date. "We went for coffee at Mario's place the other day. He wasn't there then. But he called me yesterday. He wants to open a second location."
Smirking, Shane shook his head. "And let me guess, he wants you to help out with funding it."
Xavier picked at the label on his beer. Helping his childhood friend achieve his dream of opening his own café had been a pleasure. He hadn't minded paying for the visa so he could go to Italy to study Italian desserts either. But then and now were two different times. In more ways than one. "I told him I couldn't. The conversation got pretty quiet and ended pretty fast after that."
"The way these people come out of nowhere only when they want something is bullshit. You're not a damned money tree. You gave and gave and gave and gave, and now it's time to look out for yourself."
"I still feel bad turning people down."
"I get it. But you went above and beyond for a long time, to your own detriment."
Some people incorrectly assumed that all pro athletes were multi-millionaires. He'd been an average player for his first few years in the league. A late bloomer, as some coaches would say. He'd made a good amount of money but not the type of bank that came with a huge contract. Then, after he'd smartened up and straightened up, he'd put together a few Pro-Bowl worthy seasons, and that big contract had come.
Requests for money had come too. So many requests. He'd generously and perhaps stupidly helped out almost everyone who had asked. Since he'd had the opportunity to live his dream, he wanted to give that to other people too. But now, with what was likely his last contract, he'd become super careful about money. Life after football was looming pretty close.
But not as close as that competition.
"Ashley and I agreed that I'd shadow her at the bakery."
Shane's brows rose, and his lips twitched. "Thinking of taking up a new career?"
"No. I want to win this thing." He glanced across the table and groaned at his slip-up.
Everson sat, his hand wrapped around a long neck bottle, and brows raised in interest. "Are you? That's not a bad idea. Not bad at all."
Damn it. Xavier pushed the bottle away, disgusted with himself. "It was a great idea. So great that I'd wanted to keep it quiet from the rest of the competitors."
"Well, I'm running that football camp for queer youth for the next two weeks, but even if I wasn't, I don't think my bakery partner wants to do something like that. We agreed to do a couple of trial runs the week before the competition."
Relief swelled fast, almost giving him a buzz. "Good."
Everson smiled and wrapped his arm around Ryan's shoulder. "You forget that I have twenty-four-seven access to my secret weapon."
Ryan looked between the two of them. "I'm helping both of you."
"But really me, though, right?" Everson's voice oozed charm and persuasion.
Xavier snorted and shook his head. "No way, dude. Family first."
Eyes twinkling, Everson lifted one auburn brow in challenge. "Fiancés first."
At those words, Ryan's smile spread, lighting the room like a sunbeam. He turned to gaze at Everson. "I'll never get tired of hearing that word."
&nbs
p; "I can't wait until it changes to husband," Everson said.
As they stared at each other, lost in their own world of love and happiness, Xavier felt like he was intruding by watching the moment. He quietly pushed back his chair and padded out of the room.
Shane followed him. "You like her."
Xavier closed his eyes for a moment. "We have to work together. It doesn't matter if I like her."
"How long has it been since you've let yourself have fun?"
"I've let myself had too much fun, remember?"
"So... what? You're going to give yourself a permanent penalty for making some poor decisions years ago?"
He shoved his hands into the back pockets of his jeans and puffed up his chest. "No, but I need to be careful."
"You need to still enjoy your life."
"I do."
Shane didn't look convinced. "I mean, outside of family and outside of football."
Xavier crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. "I don't see you doing much of that either."
Shane's features slid into an I know what you're doing and I'm not rising to the bait smirk. "We're not talking about me here."
"Let's do that instead. That's more fun."
Shane dropped to the couch and took a pull from his beer. "I know you're worried about people taking advantage of you and disappointing you. But you should still let people in."
"My life is fine the way it is."
"Sure. Keep telling yourself that."
CHAPTER SIX
Xavier parked his SUV behind a white minivan with Bliss Bakery's yellow logo. One week had passed since he'd nearly held Ashley in his arms. One week filled with text messages as they coordinated times for him to shadow her at the bakery. One week spent wondering how she'd feel with him essentially on her turf, and if she'd thought of him nearly as often.
He carried a few of his mother's recipe cards in his pocket, per Ashley's request.
The bell jangled when he entered the shop. She waved at him from behind the counter. "Come on in."
"Busy today?"
A shadow fell across her face. "Not as much as I'd like. But that gives me time to bake with you. Want some coffee?"
"Sure." He surveyed the treats behind the glass. Cupcakes, brownies, muffins, and cookies. "Can I get a chocolate cupcake too? The one with the black and white swirled frosting."
That brought her smile back. She handed over the coffee and the cupcake, then waved off the ten dollar bill he held. "On the house."
"No way." He grasped her hand and pushed the bill into her palm, then closed her fingers over it. "And I need to pay you for my brother's cake."
"Ready to see it?"
"Definitely." He followed her into the kitchen. The three-tier creation, white with a touch of black accents, was perfect. "It exceeds anything I imagined."
Her face lit up. "Really?"
"They're going to love it. Can we settle up payment now, so I don't walk out of here later and forget?"
"If you did, I'd be able to hunt you down. But sure, you can pay now." She led him back to the main area.
He paid and pocketed his receipt. The bell over the door jangled and an old man walked in. Xavier took his coffee and cupcake to one of the small, round tables, moving quickly to get out of the way.
The old man lowered his glasses down the bridge of his nose while he perused the treats. "Ashley, I'll take one dozen assorted cupcakes and two dozen cookies."
"Seeing the grandkids today, Tino?"
"Yep. My daughter's youngest just turned five. I'll have a full house in about an hour. It's a blessing to have three generations of family under one roof today to celebrate Mother's Day."
Ashley's smile flinched. "How wonderful for you. That's really special."
"How's business, kiddo?"
A single shoulder lifted as she responded. "Same old, same old."
His expression soured. "I don't know why people keep flocking to Blackstone's. Stuff tastes like cardboard to me. You keep doing what you're doing, girl. They'll be back."
"Thank you." Ears pink, Ashley continued to chat as she rang him up. She boxed up the requested items and added a few more. Then she walked the old man to the door and held it open for him. She came back smiling.
"Good customer?" Xavier threw his trash away. He'd polished off his cupcake and drained his coffee embarrassingly fast.
"The best. He's been coming here every Sunday since my mom opened the shop. My most loyal customer." She dusted her hands on her cheerful yellow apron. "Ready to head in the back and talk baking basics?"
Not quite. He met her at the register. "What was that about Blackstone's?"
She wrinkled her nose. "They're new. And super close by. And everyone wants to try them."
"Aren't they in the competition with us? I'm pretty sure that's the bakery Tyson will be working with."
"Unfortunately." The shadow was back, dimming the happiness from her face. "Whatever player you see as your biggest rival, that's what Blackstone's is to me. And I'm having a losing season."
Years of playing sports, studying how to take down an opponent, and how to play to his strengths had more than prepared him for this. It was the one area—maybe the only area—where he could really help her. "Then let's go build a game plan to beat them."
The light of battle came into her eyes, and she motioned him back into the kitchen. "Are you ready to bake something?"
"More than ready. Ryan keeps texting me with tips and reminders and asking me the definitions on those flashcards. He's deemed himself as my coach."
"That's sweet."
"Sweet's one word for it." But he grinned. Ryan was helping him. Xavier read through the cards multiple times a day.
"When you sent me those texts, I decided to dig through my mom's recipes too. I mean, I use her recipes all the time, but I started digging for some that I hadn't seen in a while. And I was thinking, to tie more into the cancer charity, we could use recipes from our mothers' recipe boxes in the competition. That way, it feels like they're there with us." She wrapped her arms around her torso. "I know I'll need all the support and good feelings I can get."
She looked as lost and lonely as he'd felt when looking through those recipes that day. He pulled the recipe cards from his pocket. "I like that idea."
"So what do you have?"
He traced his finger over the even script. "She made these great chocolate almond crinkle cookies."
"Let's start there."
Xavier shuffled another of the cards to the top of the pile. "My mom had a cool pie recipe from her Italian grandmother. Ricotta pie."
"I've never made that before. I'm intrigued." She leaned over his shoulder as she studied the recipe. "Do you mind if I copy this down so I can practice it this week?"
"Go ahead. My brothers and I tried making that one for her once. But that's a story for another day." He couldn't handle the emotion of sharing that one now. After handing over the card, he walked the length of the room and stopped by a grouping of photos taped to the wall. In one picture, a woman stood with her arms around a younger Katie and Ashley. "This is your mom?"
"Yeah." The word was immediate and wistful. She joined him. Her smile was a shade too sad. "It was taken on Mother's Day the year before she got diagnosed."
"You miss her a lot."
"So much."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I miss mine, too. Especially at important moments, like tonight with my brother's engagement cake. Or back when I played my first game for the Frenzy. Or when Leo's team won the hockey championship last year. Or when he got married last summer."
"Holidays are hard too. Like today. I thought having us meet today would be a good way to take my mind off of not having my mom here, but it hasn't worked so well."
"I'm sorry. I can't say that it gets easier as the years go by. It's more like the grief changes."
She nodded. "That's what the grief counselor told me. But it's even the everyday stuff. I c
an't tell you how many times I've wanted to pick up the phone and call her, only to remember I can't. Or something happens and she's the first person I want to tell. Even just being here every day is hard. Memories are everywhere." Her voice broke, and she cast a helpless glance around the room.
Eyes stinging, he drew her against his chest. His childhood home had been the same, constant reminders of a deeply missed presence. "I know."
Her arms held him tight for one long moment, and then she slowly stepped away. Rubbing her arms, she leaned against the counter. "It's silly, and I was entirely too old for this, but when she was first diagnosed, I thought that if I wished and hoped hard enough that she would get better."
"I can sympathize. When my mom got cancer, I thought that if I was good enough, she'd get better. Ryan was only a baby, but Leo and Shane and I tried really hard. We didn't fight, we didn't get into trouble. Well, not much anyway. We did all of our homework and were on our best behavior. But it didn't work." Caught up in his memories, he fought for control. He never shared so openly.
She laid her hand on top of his. "I can't even imagine what it was like to lose her when you were so young."
"It sucked. My brothers and I banded together back then, and we've pretty much stayed that way. That's not to say that we didn't have disagreements, but we saw how hard my dad was working to keep us together, even when he was wallowing in his own grief. I don't know how he did it."
"The experience made you closer. Katie and I are definitely closer now because we had to lean on each other so much."
At that moment, he felt closer to her than he'd ever felt to anyone outside of his brothers and dad. United in pain and in heartache, they understood each other.
She had a sweetness, a vulnerability, and an inner strength that made him think of a combination of romantic princess and badass warrior. Much like the treats she baked, he wanted more. To keep delving for a richer flavor, a deeper taste, to continue exploring until he knew all. And then, to start all over again.
Surrounded by cakes and sinful scents, he watched and waited. She'd held him back once, so she needed to be the one to make the next move.
Hometown Hero Page 4