“I wouldn’t say that yet, pretty boy,” Barrett said. “Our teams play each other this year, and I intend to pound your face in the turf.”

“You’ll never get past my offensive line.”

Katrina rolled her eyes. “Here we go again.”

Anya laughed. “You two should record this conversation on a video and just press play every time you see each other.”

“Flynn said to tell you that when you play against San Francisco, you’re going down,” Barrett said. “And he’s going to be the one to take you there.”

Grant grinned. “See how my brothers fear me?”

Tucker laughed and slapped Grant on the back. “You’re the one who wanted to be a quarterback like Dad. Now you get to reap the rewards. And the threats.”

“And that’s why Tucker chose baseball,” Barrett said, snatching a grape from the pile Anya was rinsing in the sink before popping it into his mouth. “Because you couldn’t handle the heat.”

“Oh, I’ve got the heat. I believe you swung and missed at several of my pitches the last time you challenged me.”

“And I believe I nailed you to the ground during our football skirmish.”

“Guys. Guys,” Katrina said. “How about a truce? At least until after dinner?”

Grant slid in behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “You think we’re fighting don’t you?”

“Well, yes.”

Barrett laughed. “Don’t worry, honey. For us, this is a normal conversation at the breakfast table.”

Katrina frowned. “Didn’t it drive your mother crazy?”

“She got used to us over the years,” Tucker said. “As long as no blood was shed, she learned to ignore us.”

Katrina sighed. “I guess it’s something I’ll have to get used to as well, then. But you all make me nervous. It’s like you’re all seconds away from coming to blows.”

“Not a chance.” Grant kissed her on the cheek. “And if we are, we’ll be sure to give you fair warning so you and Anya can remove yourselves to a safe place.”

“Good to know,” Anya said. “Now all of you can get out of the kitchen while we cook.”

Tucker’s lips curved as they all headed into the living room. They’d been like this for years, always bickering about everything, but mainly sports. The Cassidys were nothing if not competitive, obviously a gene passed on from their father.

It had made their lives a lot of fun growing up. And sometimes a giant pain in the ass.

But he’d chosen baseball because he loved the sport, and not for any of the bullshit reasons his brothers always accused him of.

He finished his beer, so he wandered into the kitchen. “Something smells amazing in here.”

Anya looked up from the stove and grinned at him. “Shrimp creole with rice. We’re also doing a corn salad on the side. And Katrina’s baking bread.”

His stomach reacted with a violent grumble. He was starving. “Oh, God. Can we kill off all the other guys, so only the three of us get to eat this?”

Katrina laughed. “I’d kind of like to keep Grant around, if you don’t mind.”

He shrugged. “If you’re going to insist on that.”

Leo showed up a short while later. All the guys ganged up on him to ask him about football. The kid had changed a lot in the past half a year or so. He’d gained muscle and height, as well as confidence. After he took a quick shower, they sat him down in the living room.

“So how’s it going?” Tucker asked.

“It’s good. The practices are great, and we’re hard at it already, even though football season isn’t until fall.”

“That gives you time to get used to the plays and integrate yourself into the team,” Barrett said.

Leo nodded. “Yeah. I’m learning a lot.”

“Any girlfriends yet?”

Leo blushed, peeked over toward the kitchen, then lowered his voice. “I might have my eye on someone.”

Barrett nodded his head, offering up a smug smile. “A cheerleader, right?”

“Actually, no. She’s in my chemistry class.”

“Even better. Nerdy girls are hot.”

Grant shot Barrett a look. “You think anyone with a vagina is hot.”

“Hey, I’m picky about my women.”

“Since when?” Tucker asked. “You racked up more girls in high school and college than you did sacks. And that hasn’t changed since you went pro—and by pro, I mean a pro at going through women.”