Author: Jaci Burton

It made her sad, but also hopeful, because she saw the potential. Put in new sod, resurface the asphalt, put up some nets and new equipment and the myriad kids she saw running around here would have a place to come play.

“We used to live a couple blocks from here,” Cole said as he spun the rickety old merry-go-round, which let out a pathetic, rust-induced squeak.

“Some of the equipment that’s still standing is dangerous.”

He grinned. “Yeah. We’d spin around on this thing with our heads hanging off, going faster and faster until we got sick. Or we’d stand up and spin, then go flying off.”

She shook her head. “They make safer equipment these days.”

“So I’ve heard.” He looked at her. “What fun is that?”

“I’m sure kids find enough danger without playground equipment doing that for them.”

“If you say so. It’s more fun to live life on the edge.”

“You’re such a boy. I hope if I ever get married and have kids, I have all girls.”

He laughed. “There were plenty of girls taking that merry-go-round ride with us. Girls can be daredevils, too.”

She lifted her chin. “Mine won’t be.”

“Famous last words, Peaches. You’ll probably have six boys. All holy terrors.”

Her eyes widened. “That is not funny.”

“I have no doubt you could handle them. You handled me.”

Savannah’s heart twisted at the thought of six boys, and then her mind filled with visions of dark hair and stormy gray eyes—all little versions of Cole, with the two of them running roughshod over a herd of sons.

No. She had to get that thought out of her head. He wasn’t the marrying type and she’d already sworn she was never getting married and absolutely never having children. Double heartache wrapped in a messy, ugly black bow.

No, thank you.

So why was she suddenly thinking of kids and playgrounds and houses and families and Cole?

She met his gaze and he was giving her a look. “What?”

“You have this sappy, contented smile on your face.”

“I do not.”

“Thinking about those six little boys you’re going to have, no doubt.”

She narrowed her gaze at him. “Stop it. I’m not having kids.”

“Really. And why is that?”

“I don’t want to talk about this.” She started toward the car.

He opened the door for her and she slid in. As they drove, she was aware of the silence but didn’t know what to say to change that.

The second playground was much the same as the first—in dire need of repair. At least she had something to talk about now as she envisioned bright playground equipment and a swarm of kids enjoying the renewal of the park.

“This is such a great idea, Cole.”

He nodded. “I’m eager to get started. How long do you think it’ll take to do the paperwork?”

“Not long. Setting up the foundation is merely a formality. I’ll be sure to have Don make it a priority.”

“Thanks.”

They looked at a few other locations where there were no parks, but it was obvious they were needed.

“So, are you afraid of kids?”

She jerked her head in his direction. “What? No, I’m not afraid of kids. What gave you that idea?”

“The horrified look on your face when I teased you about having six boys?”

She disguised her discomfort at his bringing the topic up again with a laugh. “Oh, that. I think it was more the idea of having six sons. I love children.”

“Good to know.” He turned and headed back to the car.

“Why?” she asked after they’d gotten in.

“Why what?”

“You said it was good to know that I liked children.”

“Oh. I want you to work on this foundation with me. If you hate kids, it wouldn’t be much fun for you.”

“I’d love to work on this with you. I want to see these parks completed and filled with children playing.”

“Great.”

There was something he wasn’t saying. She wished she knew what it was. But she really wanted that topic closed, so she wasn’t going to ask.

“Since there’s a home game Sunday, we’re going to my aunt and uncle’s bar after the game,” he said. “There’s a party there to watch Mick’s game that night.”

“That sounds fun. Are you saying I’m invited?”

“Yes. Will you come?”

He was acting so strange. She shifted to face him. “I’d love to be there. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll pick you up after the game.”

“Cole, I’ll be at your game on Sunday. I can just follow you.”

“No. I’ll pick you up at your house after the game.”

“O-o-ka-ay. Whatever works best for you.”

“That works best for me.”

Now he was acting really odd. Eager and excited and also…shifting kind of uncomfortably, giving her these expectant looks. She didn’t know what to make of it.

“Is something wrong?”

He gave her a quick glance, then returned his focus to the road. “No. Why?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

She was reading too much into it. Her own discomfort, likely.

It was the whole kids thing. And her feelings about Cole, which were growing more intense every day. She didn’t know what to do about them—about him, or how she felt for him.

She’d always prided herself on being able to handle any situation, but this was new territory for her. She’d never planned to get involved with Cole at all, let alone fall in love with him. Not that she had an inkling of what love was all about.

Or what she was going to do about it now that she realized she was in love with him.

The mere thought of it scared her to death.

NINETEEN

IT WAS THE FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON. COLE WAS NO rookie, so this should be business as usual, but his stomach was tied up in knots as he and the rest of the team took the field.

New team jitters, probably. And the chance to do this all over like it was the first time for him.

Maybe it was a first time. Clean slate and all that shit. New image, fresh start, and a chance to show everyone he’d changed. He intended to focus on football, and keep the dramatics off the field this season.

The stadium was packed. It was a sellout and the fans roared when the Traders came out. Cole didn’t even try to block the sounds of the fans. He soaked it all in, drawing the energy of the crowd as he did his warm-ups, then took his spot on the sidelines with his teammates.

Kenny Lawton looked wide-eyed and a little sick. Cole grinned, remembering his own rookie year. He’d been so damn scared during that first game. He knew exactly how the kid felt, so he walked over to him to give him a pep talk.

“You’re going to see some action today, Lawton.”

“You think so? I know I did in preseason, but this is an actual game. They’re not gonna play me.”

“Coach Tallarino is known for getting his rookies in the game right out of the gate. You’ll take at least a pass or two. Best way to get over those jitters.”

“I’m not jittery.”

Yeah, not much. The kid was dancing around from foot to foot, and it was August and they were in a domed stadium, so he wasn’t moving around to keep warm. Kenny looked like he might pee his pants any second. Cole slapped him on the back of the helmet. “You’re going to kick some serious ass, Lawton.”

“Thanks. I just hope I don’t drop the ball.”

“There’s a secret to that.”

The kid looked up at him with serious brown eyes. “What’s the secret?”

“Don’t drop the ball.” Cole winked and Kenny laughed, then blew out a breath and dropped his shoulders.

“Okay, man, I’ll try to relax.”

“You do that.” He put his arm around Kenny’s shoulder. “Take this all in. It’s your rookie year, your first game. This is only going to happen once. Enjoy it.”

They watched the kickoff. Miami returned it twelve yards, and it was game on. Defense was solid, so Miami punted after their first possession, and it was time for the Traders to take the field. First two plays had the running backs in, and they gained a first down. Davis and Fields went in on the first pass play on second down and short yardage. Fields caught the ball on a slant and picked up an additional four yards, gaining them another first down. After a couple runs and a successful shovel pass that netted fourteen yards, they were at midfield and Cole was in.

He took his position to the left, mindful of the Miami defenders. When the ball was hiked, he ran a post pattern, pushing past the cornerback. He turned and the ball hit him right in the numbers—he loved Grant Cassidy’s throwing accuracy. But he went down when the safety slammed into him, so he only gained ten yards. If he’d managed to break free, there would have been nothing but the goal line ahead of him.

But at least they’d gotten another first down.

He was pulled out for another couple running plays. The team was in the zone, moving the ball consistently and incurring no penalties. Cassidy threw a bullet to Jay Martin, their tight end, who pulled it in twelve yards out and dashed into the end zone, scoring their first touchdown of the game. The entire sideline broke into wild cheers. And the crowd went crazy. Cole just soaked up the adrenaline rush.

By the end of the first half they were up ten to nothing. Cole had been given several plays, and was two for three. Coach gave them the requisite pep talk in the locker room, but the team was doing a good job. Defense was kicking ass; they just needed to put more points up on the board.

Fortunately, they received the kickoff to start the second half. They got the ball on the thirty-yard line after a great return by special teams. Cole went out for the first play, but only as a decoy. He blocked for the running back, who took it twelve yards for a first down. He stayed in for the next play and took a pass sixteen yards for another first down. The offensive line was opening up holes like crazy. When he ran a post, he blew through an opening and saw nothing but the end zone ahead of him, two defenders hard on his heels. He dug in and ran for all he had and hit the end zone for a touchdown.

His teammates caught up and mobbed him. He couldn’t remember ever being this happy, or more a part of a team.

Coach pulled him out for the next offensive series, and Davis and Fields took some passes for yardage. By the fourth quarter they were up by twenty-four points and the offensive coordinator signaled for Kenny Lawton to go in on the next offensive series.

“You’re going to do great,” Cole told him. “We’ve got this game in the bag, so no pressure. Just read the signals of the defense. And don’t forget to catch the damn ball.”

Lawton nodded and ran out when the offense took the field. He lined up, ran his route at the snap, and dropped the pass.

Damn.

Lawton was left in for another shot at it, and this time he caught the ball on a play-action pass for an eight-yard gain.

Hell yeah. Kenny grinned so wide you’d have thought he’d just caught a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.

Cole remembered what it was like to catch your first pass in a regular season game. It was monumental and something you never forgot. When Kenny came back to the sidelines, he, Davis, and Fields all slapped him on the back.

“Good job, kid,” Cole said.

“Thanks. I mucked up the first one, though.”

He looked pained about it, too.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jamarcus said. “It sure as hell won’t be the last pass you drop. We all do it.”

“More than we want to,” Lon admitted.

Cole liked these guys. He liked playing for this team. And when the whistle sounded to end the game and they’d won, the team gathered around to celebrate, hooting and hollering and slapping one another, celebrating with the fans as their way of thanking them for their support. Cole was dragged around the stadium and shoved around in the locker room.