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“Look, a guy puts his hands on you in a way you don’t want, or starts being emotionally or verbally abusive, I will be so overprotective he won’t know what hit him. Because it’ll be my fist. Multiple times. Other than that, though, you’re a grown-up. Why would I decide who you should like?”

“You shouldn’t decide who I should like, and I won’t decide who you should like. I will, however, get the scoop on anyone I introduce you to because that’s how I roll. Deal with it.”

He laughs. “Fine. I don’t know why I’m surprised.”

“Exactly.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Starving.”

“There’s a new Thai place I’ve been wanting to try? You in.”

“Heck, yeah.”

“Also, my teammate Bodi Michener’s fiancée, Jayne, is opening up an all-romance bookstore on Main Street. I think the grand opening is the Saturday before the first game of the season. The opener is here at home so we’ll be in town. I think you’ll enjoy meeting all the ladies, and I know you’re a big reader.”

“Yes! That sounds awesome. I’m going to wind up shipping books home if I’m not careful.”

“Jayne will be excited to hear that.”

We talk about books and food and hockey all the way up to the suburban city he lives in, Peachtree Heights. I flew in for Dusty Peaks for just a few days six weeks ago, but I stayed at a hotel near the set, and we only had time to have dinner, so I haven’t seen where he lives or met any of his teammates yet.

I’m looking forward to spending time with him and immersing myself in life in Atlanta for a while—I think it’ll be a nice change from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Not to mention the immense pressure I sometimes feel from my job. Winning an Oscar doesn’t mean things get easier. In fact, my career got exponentially more complicated. So, the slower pace in Atlanta might be a good palate cleanser for me.

And maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll get to stick around for the holidays since our parents don’t usually come to us and Reid’s schedule doesn’t allow him to get to New York very often.

I’m totally psyched for the next few months.

Chapter Seven

Cash

Team parties are usually fun, and today is no exception. Even though it’s everyone—including children—we’re having a blast. Coach Teller’s back patio is expansive, with a saltwater pool, hot tub, a built-in outdoor grill with a small kitchen, both built-in and furnished seating, some of it under cover and the rest in the sun.

There’s a ton of food, drinks, and music. Everyone is having a blast and I’ve been in the pool with some of the kids playing keep away. Coach Teller and his husband, Viggo, have two kids, Simone and JJ, and they’re hilarious. Jayne’s eight-year-old sister, Lindy, is also in the pool with us, along with a few others.

And I’m getting my ass kicked.

Damn kids cheat, too.

Every time I try to get the ball, one of them swims underwater and does something obnoxious like trying to tickle me or bend my knees so I lose my balance and miss the ball. Right now, I’ve got JJ in a headlock, while Lindy appears out of nowhere with a massive water pistol.

“Where did that come from?” I demand. “We’re playing keep away, not water wars!”

“We changed the game,” Simone says primly. I don’t know how old she is, somewhere in the tween range, and she’s a hoot with a wry sense of humor like her father.

Before I can respond, Lindy nails me right in the face with a rush of water that temporarily blinds me. I’m laughing and sputtering as JJ tries to wiggle away, and Lindy dissolves into laughter.

“I wanna play!” West’s four-year-old stepson, Joey, does a cannonball into the pool, dousing me once again, and I’m totally caught up in the game for another half hour.

Normally, I don’t love little kids, but this has been a good time so far and I’m enjoying the ability to let loose with no pressure. Kids are the best because they’re honest and non-judgmental, which is a nice change from what we deal with as pro athletes, especially during the season.

Since there don’t appear to be any single women in attendance, it’s not like I have anything else to do but drink and hang with my teammates, which I do all the time anyway.

“Okay, I think you’ve abused poor Cash long enough,” Coach Teller calls to his kids. “And it’s time for you to eat.”

“All right.” Simone gets out of the pool with JJ trailing behind her, and I watch as Joey gets out and rushes over to his mother.