Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 14

TOP 20 #NFL PLAYERS FOR 2015 - WHICH ONES ARE YOUR FAVORITES? #Football #nflteams

I love football! These are my men -- the major players on the Connecticut Kings, the team in my bestselling football romance series, FIRST & TEN. 


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I love real football, too. Here is the list of the top 25 players in the NFL for 2015. Which ones are your favorites? I love them all!



RANK PLAYER POSITION 2015 TEAM 1 J. J. WATT DEFFENSIVE END HOUSTON TEXANS 2 AARON RODGERS QUARTERBACK GREEN BAY PACKERS 3 TOM BRADY QUARTERBACK NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 4 DeMARCO MURRAY RUNNING BACK PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 5 PEYTON MANNING QUARTERBACK DENVER BRONCOS 6 CALVIN JOHNSON WIDE RECEIVER DETROIT LIONS 7 ANDREW LUCK QUARTERBACK INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 8 ANTONIO BROWN WIDE RECEIVER PITTSBURGH STEELERS 9 MARSHAWN LYNCH RUNNING BACK SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 10 ROB GRONKOWSKI TIGHT END NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 11 RICHARD SHERMAN CORNERBACK SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 12 JAMAAL CHARLES RUNNING BACK KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 13 JULIO JONES WIDE RECEIVER ATLANTA FALCONS 14 LUKE KUECHLY LINEBACKER CAROLINA PANTHERS 15 DEZ BRYANT WIDE RECEIVER DALLAS COWBOYS 16 LE'VEON BELL RUNNING BACK PITTSBURGH STEELERS 17 DARRELLE REVIS CORNERBACK NEW YORK JETS 18 JORDY NELSON WIDE RECEIVER GREEN BAY PACKERS 19 PATRICK PETERSON CORNERBACK ARIZONA CARDINALS 20 DEMARYIUS THOMAS WIDE RECEIVER DENVER BRONCOS 21 EARL THOMAS SAFETY SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 22 RUSSELL WILSON QUARTERBACK SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 23 JOE HADEN CORNERBACK CLEVELAND BROWNS 24 NDAMUKONG SUH DEFENSIVE TACKLE MIAMI DOLPHINS 25 JOE THOMAS OFFENSIVE TACKLE CLEVELAND BROWNS
************************Meet Griff Montgomery, Quarterback, who started it all for the First & Ten series -- from the locker room to the bedroom.


Two people, two tragedies, two deep, devastating secrets….  Griff Montgomery is the headline-making, heart-breaking star quarterback of the Kings – a  6’4”, 33 year old womanizer. Lauren Farraday is a beautiful young interior designer, bitterly scarred by divorce, whose life is falling apart. Though they violently oppose one another in court over her beloved pug (she thinks he’s arrogant and  conceited, and he thinks she’s a bitch on wheels), something happens....
These are the bare bones of this sizzling romance, riddled with passion -- the first in a brand new series that’ll tantalize football fans and have readers glued to every page and on the edge of their seats!
Griff looks like a super hero with his tousled, mahogany hair, dazzling smile, dark, sexy eyes, and a body  that does something indescribable to a tight pair of jeans. Though Lauren’s sworn off men forever, one look sends shivers down her spine, making her feel lonelier than ever before. Her lustrous, long hair, sparkling green eyes, and nonstop curves make his fingers tingle at the thought of touching her.  How do they deal with their cataclysmic attraction? Will they be able to drop their protective facades – his to camouflage his grief over his sister and her family, for whom he was a surrogate father, moving 3000 miles away…. And hers’ to shield her from the incalculable loss of her husband and hoped for child?

For Griff, the thought of falling in love is as foreign as toe shoes and a tutu. For Lauren, it’s like putting on cleats and a helmet and running 50 yards…. Can they, will they, risk it? 

Get started for only $2.99 for ebook, $9.99 for paperback. Available in audio, too! Find it here:

AMAZON

AMAZON PAPERBACK

AUDIBLE
(share with  your honey)

BARNES & NOBLE

ITUNES/APPLE

ITUNES/AUDIO

KOBO

GOOGLEPLAY

SMASHWORDS

AMAZON U.K.

AMAZON CANADA

FIND ALL MY BOOKS ON MY WEBSITE

THE STORY BEHIND THE BOOK - UNPREDICTABLE LOVE

I'm starting out with a bit of the beginning of the book before I talk about the inspiration for the story:


********************* Unpredictable Love


Anger bubbled up inside her. She made a beeline for the house, only to collide with her sister.“Amber! What the hell?” She waved the envelope in the young woman’s face.“I just sent him one letter.”“This is the fourth you’ve gotten from him. When are you going to write back?”“It was a mistake…”“You can say that again. Especially the part where you signed my name!”“Laura was so convincing. I thought she meant one time. Only one letter.”“She asked people to sign up to write to guys in the military. Not to write only oneletter and include a lewd photo.”“It wasn’t lewd, whatever that means. Just me in a bikini. I’m not good at writing. Much better at pictures.” Her beautiful, blonde sister, with a Miss America figure, grinned.“And the reason you signed my name?”“I always liked yours better. Besides, if he wanted another letter, I knew you’d write it for me. So, it might as well have your name on it.”“Don’t give me that bullshit smile. I’m on to you. And the answer is ‘no.’” Jory shoved the envelope from T. Stevens into Amber’s hand.“Please? Pleeeaassseee, Jory. You’re the writer. Not me.”“That’s right. You’re the pretty sister, and I’m the smart one.”Amber nodded. “I don’t mean it like that. You’re so much better than me.”“Than I.”
“See?”


*********************** The story behind the book
I've always been intrigued by stories of mistaken identity, and movies, like Hitchcock's North by Northwest and Vertigo. Mistaken identity creates conflict, tension, and suspense. I'm not sure where the idea of the penpal in the military came from. After some time had passed, the "what if" was born. If you know me, you know that most of my books are born out of that question, "what if..." I said, "what if the Marine is writing to one woman, only to  discover later that his correspondent is actually someone else?" That idea grew until it switched gears. It became the woman's story. What if Jory gets involved with this Marine and panics when she realizes he's in love with the woman in the picture, her sister!I loved that premise. It lived in the back of my consciousness and became fleshed out with conflict and suspense, while I wrote other books. Finally, the story, brewing inside me for at least one year, was "cooked" and ready to be written. Unpredictable Love pushed aside the book I was working on and demanded my attention. I threw myself into writing it, desperate to get it all on paper as fast as possible.
One note: the Aunt Nan and Uncle Ben are the real names of two of my favorite aunts and uncles. I was very close to them and took care of my aunt in the later years of her life. I never use real names, but wanted to this time. I will be dedicating the book to them as well. This is the first in my small town contemporary romance series, called "Pine Grove".  It's a novella and up for preorder now. It will be releasing on May first. I hope the story grips your guts the way it gripped mine. Thanks for stopping by. Here's where you can order the ebook and the paperback: AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO
ITUNES/APPLE
AMAZON U.K.

The Story Behinid the Book. #1 Harley Brennan, Running Back #amreading #romance #football

In answer to readers' questions, I'm starting a new series of articles, sharing the "stories behind the books".  Here's the first. I hope you'll stop by to take a peek, or sign up for my newsletter, where they will be published every month. (Scroll down for sign-up link). 

The Story Behind the Book#1Harley Brennan, Running Back
I’m often asked if my story ideas come from my life. While I’ve denied a direct connection, there is some truth to the statement that they come from some of my life experiences and those of people I know. Something I’m living or wondering about pops into my head. Then I can’t resist saying to myself, “what if…” and a story idea is born.             This new section will be a peek into the background that gave birth to my “what if” for each of my books. I’m starting with Harley Brennan, Running Back, since it’s my most recent and most controversial book. I’ll be adding these to my newsletters and posting them on my blog, too.            I’ve long been a fan of “The Bachelor” television program. In one episode, one of the female contestants, vying for the Bachelor, had spent the night with a member of the crew.  In his desire to escape detection, he’d jumped over a balcony and broken his leg. They shipped him and her home. I wondered what would have happened if the Bachelor, himself, had slept with a member of the crew? And the kernel for Harley Brennan’s story was born.
            Originally, this was supposed to by Shyla Hollings’ story and the seventh book in the Hollywood Hearts series, where Harley had made a brief appearance. But the more into the football series I got, the more convinced I became that it was Harley’s story and belonged in the First & Ten series.             Although the book idea started with them together on the show, “Marriage Minded”,  I had to develop more to support an entire book than simply one encounter. Their stories evolved on many walks in the park with my pug, Homer, bus rides, car rides, subway rides and strolls through the City. As their story took shape, my enthusiasm grew. They became real in my mind.             Two years later, the story had grown so compelling, I had to write it. It gripped me with its darker side, with the love, loss, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph of Shyla and Harley –separately and together. The phrase that keeps echoing in my head when I think about this story is “sometimes people have to lose everything to find each other.”
If you haven’t read Harley Brennan, Running Back, I hope you’ll take the time to give it a shot. Harley’s not your Prince Charming hero, but he’s real. Love him, hate him, want to throw his book across the room –I hope you’ll never be bored with his story.  
Questions? Please feel free to put them in the comments and I'll answer here. 
Buy Harley in ebook or paperback here:
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ITUNES/APPLE
BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO
SMASHWORDS
PAPERBACK
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LOVE AMONG THE IRISES

I love flowers. It's hard to pick the prettiest one. Irises keep coming to mind as the most graceful and beautiful of all. I love irises and football romance. So here's a blend of both.  



He's looking to settle down, have a family. A family's the one thing she can't give him. Can a pug named, Spike, bring them together? More about Griff HERE
 
She left him in the dust and became a
rock star. Now he's a star wide 
receiver. Can they put aside the their differences and recapture their passion from the past? More about Buddy 
HERE.







A smart, beautiful woman who knows football doesn't walk into Coach Bass's life every day. But can he support her as an equal? And what about that secret he's keeping? What will she do if she finds out? More about Pete HERE .




Fleeing abuse, Stormy runs smack dab into her past. Can she forgive the boy she once loved, now that he's a man?
Can he convince her he's changed? Who's her abuser? Will she spill the truth?  More about Devon HERE


Can a locker room Lothario convince his teammate's sister he's a changed man? Can he live down the escapades he'd bragged about to her brother? Can Samantha handle the dangers of running a shelter for abused women? 
More about Bullhorn HERE



Using football to escape a horrific childhood, Trunk thought he'd set up the perfect life. But not long after his marriage, cracks appear. As his world crumbles, a deep secret he carries may prevent him from rebuilding. He's convinced no woman will ever want him. Maybe he's right. More about Trunk HERE.



Sometimes two people have to lose everything to find their one true love. 
More about Harley HERE.





I hope you've enjoyed these gorgeous iris photos from Big Stock. And maybe I've intrigued you about my football romance books. Irises and football romances, two of my favorite things. 

Thank you for coming. If you want to know more about my books, you can find them all on my website . 

Please leave a comment. Which iris did you like best? Which book cover? 

HARLEY BRENNAN,, RUNNING BACK IS LIVE! The Bachelor Seeks a Wife, or does he?

If you love football and The Bachelor, this is the book for you. 

A bit about the book:
Harley Brennan and Shyla Hollings agreed to part company to follow their careers. It was a mutual decision. The star running back had no problem getting dates, but never the right dates. After one year spent trying to replace the only woman he’d ever loved, he declared defeat. Until the reality TV show, Marriage Minded, approached him. Harley flew to L.A. after the Super Bowl, ready to find his new soul mate. Bumping into Shyla at the airport didn’t give him a clue that she’d be behind the scenes, designing the sets for the program. And she didn’t tell him.  Was Fate playing a hand, bringing them together? If so, Harley had to admit, Fate had lousy timing.Convinced his life was heading for a touchdown, Harley’s confidence was high, until his luck ran out. Would the running back get knocked out of the game or sprint to victory?    
A unique combination of reality TV show surprises, football action, humor, and steamy love scenes, HARLEY BRENNAN, RUNNING BACK, will keep you guessing until the last scene. 
A taste  -  “So, why the TV gig?” she asked, taking a drink of hers and nodding her approval.He looked down at his hands. “I gave up.”“Gave up?” She raised her eyebrows.“Gave up hope you’d come back. Gave up hope another Shyla Hollings would walk through my door. I want to settle down.”“So, you contacted the show?”“They came to me. Convinced me I’d find my true love. My soulmate.” He narrowed his eyes. “Are you allowed more than one soulmate in a lifetime?”********** Shyla Hollings could deadpan like the best comics in the world. She was funny—hilarious, in fact—and had kept him laughing every minute that he hadn’t been kissing her. She had become his soulmate, the total package, the one woman he’d been seeking. His heart had sung. Then, it had happened. She had gotten called by a major Hollywood producer’s office to work with an Academy Award winning set designer, and her career had taken off, leaving their affair to exist on crumbs until it simply hadn’t been enough.
**********  

They drank and nibbled on gourmet snacks. Shyla filled his senses, her beauty, her unique scent, wrapped in an expensive perfume, wafting across the seat to him, the softness of her skin as his fingertips touched the back of her hand. Simply sitting next to her had him wired. Harley had no idea what he was putting in his mouth, but he wished it were a certain part of Shy, instead of a cheese puff.
For Harley, the magic had started during that week in Costa Rica, at Penny and Mark’s wedding, and it had never faded. The electricity, the spark, the chemistry they had had in that tropical paradise still beat inside him. His blood pumped faster, his tongue got tied, and every nerve cell jumped to high alert whenever he had the good fortune to see her.Did she feel the same? His question had been answered by her broad smile, warm greeting, and enthusiasm in bed. He had believed her feelings matched his, at least at the time. Her early design success hadn’t dimmed her interest in him, as they had met whenever they had been within a short plane ride of each other. Eventually, their jobs had stretched their bond, like taffy, to the breaking point. Getting together had simply become too difficult, so they hadn’t.
GET IT HERE IN EBOOK OR PAPERBACK:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
ITUNES/APPLE
KOBO
SMASHWORDS
AMAZON PAPERBACK


#thebachelor #thebachelorette

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "HIP"

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. As the release date for Harley's book draws near, last week's was the last posting from Harley's story. 
This week, for the prompt "hip" we start a new story, tentatively called, "Too Late for Goodbye". I hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to read everyone's Tuesday Tales, scroll down for the link. 
***************

Jory’s face colored. “It’s just that there’s going to be a wedding…”“The waiter just said the same thing. I love weddings. What’s going on?”Jory sat in silence as Jerry arrived with two mimosas. When he left, Jory raised her glass.
“Down the hatch,” she said, taking a long drink.Jackie sipped at hers. “Come on. Fess up.”Before Jory could open her mouth, a black stretch limo pulled up in front of the church. People poured out of the building and stood outside, ready to greet the bride and groom. Jackie pushed back her chair and headed for the door with Jory in hot pursuit.“I don’t think you want to do that. Jackie!”Not listening to her friend, the spunky brunette pushed through the doors and stood next to  a telephone pole to watch. Suddenly the bride and groom came through the double doors and down the steps. The groom raised his gaze, which connected with Jackie’s. He stopped. If someone had hit her on the head with a hammer, the shock and pain wouldn’t have been as great. Instantly she recognized him. “Trevor,” she murmured. Trevor Fulton stopped and stared, his eyes filled at once with hurt and longing. Beside him stood Jill Connolly, hand on hip, face filled with attitude. “Come on, Trevor,” she said, moving toward the door. But he was cemented to the ground. Jackie couldn’t move either. She simply stared at the man she had adored for three years. Memories of their days and nights together, her brain had refused to recognize for months, flooded through her memory. Where there had been a vast void before, now it was overflowing with pictures, feelings, sensations, smells, touches, everything that had made up her life with him for three years. All that had disappeared in an instant, returned with a vengeance.
“Trevor!” Jill said, tugging on his sleeve. Jackie wandered nearer. “Trevor,” she muttered, her eyes wide. His name rolled off her tongue as if she had spoken to him yesterday, not a year ago.  “He’s mine now. So you –stay away!” Jill shouted at Jackie, jolting her out of her reverie. Jackie shook her head once to clear the fog. “Who are you?”“Don’t play games with me, Jackie Tremont! You know who I am.”“No, I don’t really. Honestly. Should I?”“All you need to know is that I’m Mrs. Trevor Fulton,” Jill said, sticking out her hand and flaunting her wedding ring.
Her words cause Jackie to take in a breath. Pain rocketed through her. Trevor had been hers. What had happened?

On to the other Tuesday Tales. Click HERE
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GRIFF MONTGOMERY, QUARTERBACK COMES ALIVE ON AUDIO!

I can't believe I'm such a starry-eyed fan of audio books. Yes, this is my first one. I roped my husband into listening to the auditions with me because I've never listened to an audio book and didn't know what to expect, or how to judge. 

We heard 11 auditions. The last two were close, real close. Great voice, but I still wasn't sure. Then I heard audition #12. His narration made me laugh at a funny part I'd already heard eleven times before. Number 12 was it, the one. 

His name is Jim Roberts. When I received the first 15 minute recording he sent, according to the ACX process, the book came alive. The little taste made me hunger for more. Not long after, the full  seven hour recorded book arrived for my approval. 

 In addition to being a narrator, Jim is also an actor, and a talented one. I cleared my schedule and prepared to meet Griff Montgomery, Lauren and the men of the Connecticut Kings football team, in person (almost). 

I was riveted, mesmerized by his recording. The story ceased to be simply a book, but became a life, two lives, seven lives or more. Real people, with voices created by Jim, were speaking my words, now their words. 

 The experience was transformative for me. I'm now an audio book junkie, eagerly awaiting my next fix: Jim's rendition of Buddy Carruthers, Wide Receiver, book 2 in the First & Ten series.

If you want to take a trip into a book, into the world of football, I invite you to pick up the audio book version of Griff Montgomery, Quarterback. 

You can get it here:   AUDIBLE      OR  here:     AMAZON

                              



                               

TUESDAY TALES - "MIXED" - HARLEY'S STORY CONTINUES...

“Uh oh. That doesn’t sound like the confident, I’m-gonna-kick-their-asses guy I know.”“I’m okay. It’ll get done.”“Be happy, buddy.”“Thanks, Trunk. How are the guys? What’s going on?”
Harley sank down into an overstuffed chair, kicked back, toed off his shoes, and gazed out at the sea while he listened to Trunk bring him up-to-date on this teammates’ antics. His shoulder muscles relaxed as he laughed with his friend.A knock on the door interrupted Harley’s trip down memory lane with the linebacker. It was Greg Carson. Harley said goodbye to Trunk and hung up.“Time for the cocktail party. Are you ready?” the MC asked.“Ready as I’ll ever be.”Greg lounged against the doorjamb. “Are you okay? How are you doing? Feeling all right?”“The pressure’s a little hard.” Harley bent to tie his shoes.Greg cocked an eyebrow. “Pressure? From a man who’s played in two Super Bowls?”“Are you kidding? The Super Bowl is a walk in the park compared to ten women trying to get your attention at the same time.”Greg laughed. “Getting a bit difficult?”“You might say that. Geez. I don’t want them to hate each other.”“They’re all vying for you. I get it. This isn’t as easy as people think. And right about now, it ramps up to a lot tougher.”
“Yeah. I’ve got to send two women home tonight, and I have no clue who.”Greg clapped Harley on the back. “Let’s go downstairs. You can get started making that decision. A drink might help.”
“A drink? A dozen maybe.” Harley chuckled as he walked down the hall next to Greg. Excitement mixed with dread in his veins. Was the love of his life waiting in the lounge, or would he come up empty-handed again?
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COMING SOON TO AUDIOBOOK! SNEAK PEEK AT GRIFF MONTGOMERY, QUARTERBACK

Welcome! Take a taste of Griff Montgomery, Quarterback, an Amazon bestseller, and the first book in the football romance series,  First & Ten. Coming to audio book in two weeks!

**********She raced into the street. A car making its way to the south end of town screeched on its brakes. The man holding the dog dropped the lead and leapt in front of her. He snatched her arm and yanked her out of the way. She fell to her knees on the pavement, but didn’t feel the pain because the pug was licking her face. She kept repeating his name as tears flowed.“You okay, lady?” the man asked, grasping her elbow and easing her to her feet.
Lauren clutched his arm while her knees trembled. She narrowed her eyes. “You stole my dog,” she said, before bending over to pet the pooch.
*********         "What else are you good at, besides grilling and throwing a football?”“Do you want the PG version or X-rated?” He snickered, his dark eyes dancing with mischief as they skimmed over her skimpy robe, making her shiver.She laughed.Griff slipped his hand over her free one. “Or should I show you?” His gaze settled on her lips.
She finished chewing and sat back, checking him out again. His muscles were nicely defined, and the sprinkling of dark chest hair tempted her fingers. She ached to touch him, but resisted. He’s a womanizer. He’ll leave you. He’ll hurt you. “Don’t think so.” She removed her hand to cut another piece of meat.
***********His friend shook his head. “I don’t know if you’re a man of great willpower, or an idiot.”“Neither do I,” said the quarterback. Griff wasn’t ready to face the fact that he was giving up good, steady road trip sex for a woman who didn’t want to get married.
*********** “Do you want me to stay with you?”“Please. I don’t want to be alone.”He got in beside her and tucked her against his chest. She snuggled down.“Look there,” he said, pointing. “See the moon? It’s full.”She nodded. He was lying behind her, his arm around her middle, holding her fast. Lauren laid her hand on top of his.“I’m here. You’re safe. Close your eyes. I’ll be right here if you need me.”
“Thank you,” she whispered and brushed her lips against his arm. Griff kissed her hair and tucked his knees up under hers. The warmth from his body soothed her. Her muscles relaxed as she stared at the moon for a moment before falling back to sleep.
*************
A bit about the book Two people, two tragedies, two deep, devastating secrets….  Griff Montgomery is the headline-making, heart-breaking star quarterback of the Kings – a  6’4”, 33 year old womanizer. Lauren Farraday is a beautiful young interior designer, bitterly scarred by divorce, whose life is falling apart. Though they violently oppose one another in court over her beloved pug (she thinks he’s arrogant and  conceited, and he thinks she’s a bitch on wheels), something happens....  These are the bare bones of this sizzling romance, riddled with passion -- the first in a brand new series that’ll tantalize football fans and have readers glued to every page and on the edge of their seats!
Griff looks like a super hero with his tousled, mahogany hair, dazzling smile, dark, sexy eyes, and a body  that does something indescribable to a tight pair of jeans. Though Lauren’s sworn off men forever, one look sends shivers down her spine, making her feel lonelier than ever before. Her lustrous, long hair, sparkling green eyes, and nonstop curves make his fingers tingle at the thought of touching her.  How do they deal with their cataclysmic attraction? Will they be able to drop their protective facades – his to camouflage his grief over his sister and her family, for whom he was a surrogate father, moving 3000 miles away…. And hers’ to shield her from the incalculable loss of her husband and hoped for child?

For Griff, the thought of falling in love is as foreign as toe shoes and a tutu. For Lauren, it’s like putting on cleats and a helmet and running 50 yards…. Can they, will they, risk it? 

Buy it here in ebook or paperback:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO
ITUNES/APPLE
AMAZON PAPERBACK
SMASHWORDS
ALL ROMANCE eBOOKS

TUESDAY TALES - HARLEY'S STORY CONTINUES

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. The word prompt this week is "beat." Harley's story continues, but will be stopping very soon as the book is due to be released in early March. Return to Tuesday Tales with the link below.
*******************************
“Where’s your keeper?” Trunk Mahoney asked, sliding onto the stool next to him.“California.”“Good. She’s a piece of work. How did you end up with her?”“She’s not so bad.”
“Not so bad? Doesn’t sound like a great match. But, hey, my first marriage wasn’t exactly perfect, either.”“I’m not aiming for a first marriage. This will be my one and only.”“Maybe she’s not the right girl? Don’t get me wrong. She’s hot, beautiful. But she doesn’t like us and we’re your team.”“She’ll get used to you.”“These guys? Doubt it.”“Come. Five bucks says I beat your sorry ass,” Harley said, pushing to his feet and grabbing a handful of darts.
“You’re on.”The two men moved to the side where the new dart board hung on the wall. It wasn’t long before they were joined by Buddy Carruthers and Bullhorn Brodsky. Bull and Buddy had a couple of beers while Trunk and Harley stayed sober. After the game, Trunk drove Buddy and Bull home. It was ten and the bar was empty. Harley ordered a piece of cheesecake and a cup of coffee. Carla joined him. “Aren’t you usually home in bed by now?” She asked.“During training camp? Yeah. Not so great going home alone.”“Hot for your new girl?”“You could say that.” Although she didn’t provide a lot of companionship, he missed what she did add to his life.  “You and Trunk look good. This place is coming along.”“By the season opener, it should be finished. Like it?”“It looks amazing.”“My only worry is that someone’s gonna get into a fight and throw a dart at someone.”Harley laughed. “Might happen.”“I wanted to get safe darts. The Velcro kind? But Trunk talked me out of it.”“He’ll be here to sit on anyone’s face who gets out of hand.”“Yeah, he’s my security team.” She grinned.
Harley’s gaze perused her. He’d never seen Carla look so good. Everything about her glowed. That’s what love looks like. He knew it was the look of love, because he had seen it before, on Shyla’s face when she gazed at him. He frowned to think he’d never seen that on Vanessa’s face, even the day he proposed.
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