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I get the very strong feeling he doesn’t like me.
I’m a people-pleaser. I can get along with anybody. I hate the feeling that someone doesn’t like me just because of my last name, but it comes with the territory.
It’s something I’ll just have to deal with.
Austin Graham is a tight end, and so is my brother, Asher. My brother was chosen as the starter over him before he was suspended, which put Graham here on the bench. And given that my other brother is the head coach in charge of making those types of decisions, Austin isn’t hiding the fact that he has something against my entire family.
I’m not going to let him ruin my good time. I’ve got a few inches and probably thirty pounds on him. I can take him.
Not that it’s going to come to that. But if it does…
And a minute later, someone else I recognize comes sauntering across the bar toward our table.
I can’t help my wide smile as I push to a stand.
I grab my little brother into a bro-hug complete with back pounding.
“Welcome to Vegas, man,” he says, pounding my back as well.
“Thanks. You staying out of trouble?”
He scoffs. “Hardly. Move over.”
I slide into the booth closer to Patrick, and Asher sits beside me. I glance across the table at Austin, who looks like he’d rather be just about anywhere but here.
And maybe he will be. My brother was suspended last season after he admitted to gambling on the outcome of games, but he’ll be back this upcoming season. Yesterday marked the expiration of last year’s contracts, and that means it’s a new year. His suspension is over, and the front office has already informed him that he will be expected at voluntary minicamp next month.
He needs to keep his nose clean going forward. But Asher is the Nash brother who’s the biggest wild card. He thrives on surprising the fuck out of all of us, and I could see him joining a sex club just as much as I could see him going on an expedition through the Amazon rainforest.
And speaking of sex clubs, I know Vegas has several.
I’m not going to pretend like I’m not interested in learning more, but I can’t exactly ask my teammates about them the night I’m meeting them.
There’s always next week.
As it turns out, Tristan, Travis, and Jaxon are all married, which means they aren’t jumping at the chance to play wingman for the new guy in town. This really is just a group of dudes hanging out and having a drink with their buddies before they head home to their wives and kids.
Sounds boring.
I didn’t exactly learn about being a good parent or husband from my own father. He was always hard on us, teaching us that football comes first above all else, including personal relationships.
It’s probably why he’s in his late fifties and getting divorced, if I’m being truthful. My mom, on the other hand, is another story entirely. She always had a dream of owning a goat farm, and Linc and I made it happen. Too bad it’s in New York—the complete opposite side of the country from what’s been home for the last eight years.
I loved California. I never minded the proximity to the beach, the weather, the palm trees, or the nightlife. And to be honest, I didn’t mind the proximity away from my family. It gave me the space I needed to spread my wings and prove myself. I’m a Nash, and the dynasty is a huge part of my blood and my reason for playing…but I also needed to prove that I played because I wanted to play, not because I was forced into it.
I love football. I love playing. I love getting on that field and acting like a kid again. I don’t know if I’ll be ready to give that up at the end of this season, and I had my time alone. I’m excited to be part of something bigger with my biological brothers instead of the teammates who become brothers.
And maybe, just maybe…I’m starting to get to that point where I want to figure out my future.
I can’t play football forever, and once this season is over, if I decide to call it quits…then what?
I’ll go home to an empty house.
Is that really what I want?
I just watched Leader Lincoln as he rekindled a romance two decades old, took on a stepson, and knocked up his girl. Serious Spencer, my younger brother, is engaged. Adventurous Asher is not likely to settle down any time soon.
So…I guess that makes Gifted Grayson next.
