Page 63 of Out of Left Field

“I’ll still take coffee deliveries,” Kate cracked.

Gordo replied with a nod of appreciation.

Everett grinned with glee. “So, you got some news to share, big brother?”

“I’m pretty sure I just shared it.” I took a sip of water in an attempt to block any more unnecessary questions and what was sure to be a full little brother inquisition.

It did not work, not that I really expected it to.

“But we’re family. Shouldn’t you introduce your girlfriend to me?”

“You already know her, dipshit.”

His grin just got bigger and bigger. “I know the doc. Wait, did we meet at the Red Tourist?” He pretended he hadn’t seen her since that night.

“We did.” Kate played right along. “But as I recall you had a much bigger beard and wild hair.”

He stroked his beard proudly. “I’ve got to keep my image up for the cameras. How’s your friend? Did she enjoy her birthday?”

“She did. And Jeri is doing great, thank you for asking.”

Rhett’s head snapped around. “Jeri MacNeil?”

Kate blinked. “Yes.”

“Fucking hell. My cousin is Annalise Ryan.”

She blinked a few more times. “Ryan is your cousin?”

“The little shit’s been giving me a hard time about not getting out to meet her new teammates. Fucker is right.”

“We would have figured it out eventually,” Kate laughed. “Wow, what a small world. I haven’t known her long, but she’s awesome.”

“She’s a shit,” Rhett said with a grin that betrayed his words. “An absolute pain in the ass. But she’s good.”

I leaned closer to Kate. “Who is this?”

She shot me a smirk. “If you’d have come in to meet my friends you would know.”

Everett hit the table and laughed. “That’s my brother. Classic.”

My big brother glare didn’t do anything to deter him, unfortunately. “It was our second date.” I gritted out in my defense, not that I really had much of one. It wasn’t fair that Kate was so much a part of my life and I wasn’t part of hers.

She shrugged. “Well, Jeri, as you’ll recall is the Tangerine’s captain. Newly added to the team this season is none other than phenom Annalise Ryan.”

“So your cousin is a soccer star?”

Rhett nodded. “She can run circles around all us assholes.” He made circling gestures at the tables around us.

“Maybe we should do a combined workout. Invite them to the stadium. We can trade secrets.” Plus it would break up the monotony.

“I like it,” Gordo said with a nod.

“They’d fucking love to show off,” Rhett agreed.

“Marketing will love this,” Kate murmured, grabbing her phone and shooting off a quick text to someone.

The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. “I mean, we go to Bolts games. And Renegades.”