Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) (18 page)

“What? I heard Ross and T.K. talking about it. And I do care.”

“Why do you care?”

“When a woman who barely comes up to your shoulder tells you she’s going to kick your ass for making comments about her husband, it leaves an impression.” He laughed. “She’s feisty. I like that.”

“She’s better.”

“I’ve studied your career intensively, then I realized I made a mistake. It was the changes in your personal life that gave you the forward momentum after that second Super Bowl win. You fell in love.”

“That’s right. My priorities changed.”

“You could have come back home to the Tomcats, but you didn’t. I have the feeling it had something to do with her too.”

“It was the right thing to do. Morgan is a Philly girl. She had things to achieve of her own and needed time to get used to country life.”

“It takes a lot of balls to put someone else’s needs before yours. I don’t know many people who would make sacrifices like that in the name of love.”

“One day, you’ll meet the right woman that’s not my niece and you’ll get to experience it for yourself.”

“I like how you threw that tidbit about Avery in there. Any-who, now that your wife’s getting better, does that mean you’re finally going to get back to work?”

“No. I belong here looking after my family.”

“Even I have enough sense to know a woman like Morgan doesn’t like to be smothered, even if it is with good intentions. Finding a new interest will help keep your relationship healthy. And the way you like to dole out unwanted advice, I’m sure you’ll find something to do that will involve a whole lot of talking.”

Seth eyed him. Was the kid giving
him
advice? “What’s the use? You haven’t listened to a word I said since we started these talks.”

“Haven’t I? If I must toot my own horn, then I will. I’m getting better on the field. I’ve been listening to the coaches, and when we had a beer the other night Ross said I’m not quite the douche he first met when I joined the team.”

Seth scratched at his beard. Ross wasn’t one to throw around compliments.

“Exactly.” Riley put his hand on his shoulder. “I toned down some of the outrageous behavior and even treated the guys to dinner. You were right. I can’t become great all by myself, and it helps if the guys on your team have your back. I haven’t been tackled once in three weeks.”

“Glad you get the point.” Seth looked at him. “You know you don’t have to act that way. It doesn’t matter if the public adores you and tells you that you’re this big sex symbol. You should be happy with yourself.”

Riley looked out at the horses. “I was a quiet kid all my life. I was kind of nerdy. I liked to read and go to the planetarium. I wasn’t shy, but I kind of blended into the scenery. That all changed when one summer I grew six inches and did yard work to earn some extra cash. When I went back to school in the fall everyone was surprised by some big transformation, and the football coach literally took me out of English class to sign up for tryouts. I made the team, did well, and suddenly I was a super star. I could do no wrong. And I’ve been
that
Riley Sloane ever since.”

“I get it. There’s no rush like a crowd of people thinking you’re the greatest thing. I was John Blake’s little brother and I felt like I had something to prove. But that’s the time to buckle down and stay grounded. I had a few bumps, but luckily I had a family who didn’t let my head get too big. You’ll find your way.” Seth looked at him. “You want to stay for dinner?”

“I didn’t think I’d be invited again.”

“Avery’s in Philadelphia, kid.”

“I’ll accept anyway.” He grinned. “But I meant what I said. Maybe it’s time for you to get back to work. You still have a lot to give to the game.”

* * *

Morgan nibbled on toast as she cleaned the kitchen. She had an hour before she’d have to head out to the school to chaperone Connor and Colby’s field trip to the aquarium. But first she had to drop off Mackenzie’s bear to Teri-Lyn and John Jacob’s house. These days her little girl said “mommy” every five seconds, and she loved every minute of it. The rest of the kids were doing OK after their talk about her health, but Jake seemed a little shaken by it. She did her best to reassure him that she would be fine. She hoped he believed her.

The fatigue had subsided, and she rested when she needed without feeling guilty about being in bed so long. She’d even felt well enough to ride Reed’s Fire when Avery had paid her a surprise visit before she went to Philadelphia. They rode and talked about everything except Wyatt. Her niece wouldn’t open up about him these days. But it felt good to get back to life after she’d slipped into that depression. Now all she had to do was cattle prod Seth into finding a new career.

The phone rang. She looked at the display. It was Charisma.

“Hey, Morgan. Are you busy?”

“I have a field trip with the twins in an hour, but I have a few minutes. What’s up?”

“Hi, Morgan.” Derek said into the phone.

“Tell my favorite hockey player that I said hello.”

Charisma giggled. “We were just calling to see if the boys were enjoying their hockey lessons from Derek’s friend. Derek wants to make sure, and these are his words, ‘that slacker Micah isn’t ruining Connor’s good training.’”

“Tell Derek that I think his friend, who also plays professional hockey right here in the state of Texas, is doing a fine job showing the boys pointers.”

“He probably is, but I think Derek wants the credit if Connor becomes some big star.”

“Tell him no one can replace Uncle Derek. And if you two get married, that would make you Aunt Charisma.”

She laughed. She could tell Charisma had dropped the phone. She pressed her ear to the phone to get a better listen, Charisma had asked Derek to go get her something to drink.

“Listen,” Charisma said in a low tone. “We don’t talk about the three M’s.”

“Three M’s?”

“Yeah. Marriage. Money. And murder,” Charisma replied.

“You and Grandma need to curb those
Lifetime
movie marathons,” Morgan mused.

“Well, I can name ten scenarios to stay away from to keep me from getting killed. Thank you very much.” She laughed. “How are things?”

“Better than I’ve felt in weeks. Listening to my doctor and trying my best to stop Seth from climbing the walls.”

“It’s so sweet how he worries about you.”

“I want to see how sweet you think it is when Derek wants to put his life on hold for you.” She sagged against the counter. Who fights a man for loving her so much? She did.

“I have to go. I have a meeting with Jared in an hour. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

“Thanks for checking up on me. I appreciate it.” Morgan thought about it for a moment. Charisma was on her list of people to call for some reason. Ah, now she remembered. “You and Derek are still coming down in a few weeks, right?”

“If you’re feeling good enough for company, we are. But if you’d rather we cancel…”

“Nope. It’s still on. Visiting Texas recharges Derek’s batteries. He has some sort of kindred soul thing going on with the state. Trust me, you’ll thank me when you’re back in Philly.” Morgan laughed.

“OK.” Charisma laughed too. “We’ll be there.”

After the phone conversation, Morgan hopped into her car and pulled out of the driveway. She had another call coming in on her cell. This time it was Nina. She hit the blue tooth button on the dash, and Nina launched into the conversation.

“I’m going to murder my entire family!” Nina yelled into the phone.

“Should I be concerned you’re the second person to mention murder in the past ten minutes? It’s a little unsettling.”

“You can be my character witness at my trial.”

“Uh oh. Cousin Rollo has a new invention?”

“No, but cousin Bertram asked for money to supposedly fix the roof on his house. He has this big gaping hole that’s been there for years. He calls it his summer skylight. Now all of a sudden, he and Yolanda and the kids are fighting off squirrels and need money for a new roof.”

Morgan laughed. “How are things with your sisters? Are you and Tonya still doing your weekly shopping trips?”

“They were great until recently. Whenever I get an outfit for Gabby, Tonya has to buy the same one for her daughter too.”

“Yikes.” Morgan waved at the guard as she exited the ranch. “I know you hate it when people copy you.”

“Right? Contrary to that saying, imitation is not the greatest form of flattery.”

“I agree. But deep down everyone who knows you wants to be fabulous like Nina and Gabby Hawkes. We can’t help it. Mackenzie told me the other day she wishes I were more like you.”

Nina erupted in laughter. “You are such a liar.”

“Think about it. A child with you and Seth’s combined fashion sense would have their own clothing line by the age of five.”

“You are right about that.”

“Patton and I have monthly support meetings for fashionably inept people who are married to divas and sex symbols.”

“A two person club? That sounds sad.”

“No, we have more members. Isabelle’s secretly jealous that Tate is sexier than her. Michelle makes the desserts and brews gourmet coffee. She tells us about her secret hatred of Tyler’s hairstyling products and muscle shirts. It’s quite the scene.”

Nina snorted into the phone. “Tyler’s hair doesn’t move in a hurricane. I miss living near you.”

“I miss you too.”

“Well, now that I’ve vented, I can go over to Patton’s mom’s house and pretend I’m interested in her scrapbooking.”

“I’m heading to the aquarium with Connor and Colby today. I’ll take a picture if either of them ends up riding a shark in one of the tanks.”

Nina continued to laugh. “I love you, Morgan. I do.”

“I love you too.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “Thank you for being there for me these past months.”

“Please. You’re going to kick lupus in the ass.”

Morgan ended the call and continued to laugh. Nina sounded miserable, and Patton didn’t seem much better when Seth talked to him. But Morgan still loved to hear from her, even when she was considering murdering her family. She’d love for them to live in Texas so she could see them more often.

Today was shaping up pretty good. She’d had a food fight with her gorgeous husband, had a nice conversation with a once estranged cousin, and laughed her ass off with one of her best friends. Now was going to spend the afternoon keeping her twin babies out of trouble.

Life was feeling familiar again. And that meant life was good.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Morgan loved chaotic Saturday afternoons. Tate cashed in an IOU from Seth and that meant they had Tate and Isabelle’s turn with weekend sleepover duties. She’d told the other couples to bring over the boys as soon as they were awake. As she predicted, Matt, Jack, Owen, and Gabe arrived on their doorstep around seven in the morning still in their pj’s. She didn’t know if they had plans or not but their moms and dads said a quick good-bye as they threw their bags into the house.

After homework was finished, the boys retreated into their respective territories. Jake, Connor, and Jack preferred the outdoors. Climbing, playing games, and hanging out in the tree house was their thing. Colby and Matt were the budding artists and loved it when she spread all the art supplies on the living room table and let them have at it. Seth was pushing Mackenzie in the swing while talking to Riley. It shocked them both when the quarterback had called and asked if he could visit them again. Seth agreed and they’d been talking while Seth watched the outside activity.

So that left Morgan to tend to the activity inside the house. It did her heart good that she got to see Owen and Gabe grow in real time, instead of getting photos of their progress. Being on the ranch meant getting closer to all the members of her family. She’d just finished putting the little tykes down for a nap and narrowly escaped getting splashed with paint when she gave her diligent artists a snack of cheese sticks and juice. She was putting snacks for her outdoors brood together when she noticed Jake watching her out of the corner of her eye. Her oldest son had been doing that a lot lately since they’d informed the kids about her illness.

“Hey, Jake. Just in time. I’m making lunch but I have some cheese sticks and juice for you to take to the tree house.” She handed him a pail full of snacks.

“Thanks.”

“So what’s on your mind?”

“Are you really OK, Mom?”

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I feel better than I’ve felt in weeks.” She put down the apple she’d grabbed from the fruit bowl. “Why do you ask?”

“I saw Dad carrying you last night.”

“Oh.” She laughed. She and Seth had been fooling around last night after the kids had gone to sleep…or so she’d thought. “Daddy was carrying me last night for…romantic reasons.”

“Oh.” He thought about it and got the idea. “Yuck.”

She laughed. “You’ll see some day. A long time from now. When you love someone, you do silly things like that.”

“Because if you don’t feel good, you can tell me.”

Morgan looked into her son’s eyes. He wanted the truth. The same truth she’d wished she’d known when her mom was sick.

“Your brothers and sister may not be old enough to fully understand, but I know you’re smart and mature for your age.” She held out a chair for him to take a seat. She joined him. “So I’m going to tell you the absolute truth. What I have is manageable. It can get quite serious, but Dad is helping me stay in good health so I don’t develop complications that can occur.”

“So if you take really good care of yourself, it will help?”

She nodded. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t take care of you guys. Thank you for always helping with the other kids. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the assistance. I know it must be hard sometimes to be the oldest kid on the ranch. You spend so much time looking out for everyone, you barely have time to have your own fun.”

“It’s not so bad.” He shrugged.

“Well, I was thinking we’d have a special day out, just the two of us. We can see a movie or go to an amusement park. Anything you want.”