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  “Don’t you think we’ll be a little old, then?” Trista didn’t want another press scene on their hands. That sounded like a lot of teenagers with cellphones and social media accounts.

  “It’s for the whole region. There will be tons of people, and we’ll get lost in the crowd.”

  Trista had her doubts, but more time with Ryker sounded like a good plan to her. She suspected he wanted to keep an eye on his sister while they were at it. “Okay, clubbing it is.”

  Bree’s eyes sparkled in excitement.

  Trista settled into her new happy state with the two siblings, one a new friend, and one finally, perhaps, a bit more. Ryker’s closeness to her warmed her to her toes. Every now and then, he’d touch her, sometimes a hand on her knee to get her attention, sometimes reaching for her fingers, sometimes nudging her with his shoe. But every time, shots of energy raced through her, and she wanted more. So much more.

  Chapter 10

  Ryker and Bree rode in the car to pick up Trista.

  “She’s special.” Bree sat across from him in the limo. He hated the extra attention, but thought they might need the security of an immediate car if the press showed up.

  “I can’t get over you, Bree. You’re sitting over there looking like a grown up, and now you sound like one.” He shook his head. “I think she’s special too.”

  She held out her hands to study her nails. “Today was fun.”

  “You know you were special before you got all this stuff done. Special, smart, fun, and beautiful.”

  Her smile warmed. “Thank you, brother. Like Trista said, today I’m just being a little more obvious about it.”

  He laughed. “That sounds like something she would say.”

  “For those who subtlety is wasted on.”

  “She’s one in a million.”

  “That last one was me.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Well, touché. Have fun tonight, sister. You deserve it.”

  They picked up Trista, and the three headed over to the convention center Paradise Cove for their event.

  He held Trista’s hand and walked beside Bree. “Suddenly I’m the boring one in the group.”

  “Oh, Ryker’s not used to being upstaged.” Trista squeezed his hand. “I can’t believe we’ve had these couple days to ourselves. When’s your next game?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Oh wow, so we really are squeezing it in.”

  “For you too, I’d imagine. When do you need to start shooting?”

  “I’ve got meetings in New York all this coming week.”

  “And dinner with me.”

  “And dinner with you.”

  A couple girls ran up to Bree and squealed about her hair. They were soon caught up in a threesome of chatter. Ryker held back, and Bree went in without them. “I just wanna see, really.”

  “You’re stalking your sister?” Trista’s raised eyebrow and the teasing glint in her eyes made him want to dip her low into a kiss.

  “Yes I am. Come on. We’re missing her entrance.”

  They peeked in the large ballroom. A crowd had gathered around Bree, and Trista smiled. “She’s got tons of friends.”

  “I had no idea.”

  The music started up and her friends started dancing.

  “Oh and look.” Trista pointed out a guy checking her out. Then he approached. The girls parted to make room for him. Soon others joined.

  The music slowed, and the first boy started dancing with Bree. Ryker pulled Trista into his arms. “The most beautiful girls here belong with me.”

  She melted into him. He could feel her softness up the length of him, and he wanted to hold her forever. She ran a finger in circles on his shoulder. “Is that so?”

  “Absolutely.”

  A crowd gathered in the center of the floor. Up until now, Ryker and Trista had skirted along the edges.

  Then Bree called out, “Leave us alone!”

  “Oh boy.” Ryker took off running through the crowd without thinking. He heard small sounds as Trista tried to follow.

  Cameras started flashing, and more people crowed in. “Excuse me. Let me through.” He pushed through the outer circle and made his way over to his sister.

  A reporter had a microphone in Bree’s face. She was flushed and angry. The guy next to her kept smiling and held her close.

  Ryker couldn’t tell if he liked the guy or not until someone tried to get in their space and he knocked them away. Win. The guy was in.

  Someone noticed Ryker, and a path opened up for him to join Bree. “Hello.” He waved to the reporters as casually as he could. “Good to see you all here. I think there’s a donation box at the entry if you want to support the church.”

  “Are you in it for keeps with Trista? What do think about Trevor showing up at your game?”

  “I was happy to have a new fan show up at the game. Maybe he’s TeamRyker.” He laughed. “Maybe I should be TeamTrevor.”

  Everyone around them laughed.

  “The way I see it, and Yogi sees it, ‘If you can be right half the time, you’ll only be wrong the other two thirds.’ ”

  Bree murmured. “That’s not what he said.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Look at them write it down.”

  Everyone tapped into their phones. Ryker leaned closer to Bree. “You ready to go?”

  “I think so.”

  “With the new guy?”

  Bree blushed. “Oh, yeah.”

  Then someone shouted. “Trista McKinney!”

  “Oh no.” Ryker had hoped to lead them all out without anyone knowing she was there.

  She stepped into their circle. “Looks like I’m missing a party.” She moved with grace, swirling and smiling for the cameras. It’s like a whole different woman stood before him. “How come I don’t hear any music?”

  The DJ must have stopped, but the music started up again, and she began dancing. The cameras stayed glued to her for a moment, and she used her hand to shoo them away. But Ryker was not going to let her take all the heat. He joined her, and so did Bree and the new guy, and they acted like nothing was going on.

  Trista laughed, but through her teeth, she shouted over the music. “They’re not gonna let us leave.”

  “I’ll figure something out.” Ryker pulled out his phone. “In the meantime, you look amazing.”

  “Who’s this?” Trista moved closer to Bree and her new man.

  “Oh hey, Trista, this is Paxton.”

  She held out her knuckles and he responded. “Good to meet you.”

  “Sorry about the mess,” Trista apologized.

  “Nah, it’s alright.” He danced closer to Bree. “She’s worth it.”

  Ryker wanted to bristle at the obvious line, but Bree and Trista had melty smiles. Wow, lines like that really worked? He’d have to learn a thing or two from this punk. In the meantime, he’d sent a few texts. The guys were on it, and Cole was sending over a security team.

  The music picked up, and Bree started jumping with her arms in the air. “I love this song!”

  Everyone around them cheered and jumped, and he and Trista joined in. The crowd pressed in, and it was the perfect excuse to keep Trista close.

  She laughed. “I feel like I’m in high school.”

  “Me too. But look.” He nodded at Bree.

  “I know. She’s glowing.”

  “Cole’s sending in some guys.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re worth it.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “What, it worked for Paxton.”

  Trista just shook her head. When the music changed again, he pulled her close and they swayed together, Bree and Paxton nearby.

  “Sorry for dragging you to this. What kind of mess will you have to clean up?

  “I’ve got a meeting already set up with my agent.”

  “I’d rather Bree not be a part of whatever publicity they drum up.”

  He felt her stiffen, and he regretted his words. But he
was having a hard time knowing when to be a protective brother and when to be a hopeful boyfriend.

  “I already told them you are off the table.”

  “Really? I don’t mind the heat.”

  “I know. You’re sort of immune to it.”

  He shrugged. “I’ve never cared.”

  “Well, there’s nothing anyone can do about all this.” She indicated the people surrounding them. “But I won’t have them leveraging us or planning appearances or whatever.”

  He shrugged again. “Like I said, I don’t mind. If you need another fill-in at a red carpet, I’m there.”

  She smiled. “Ryker. I want you there at all my important moments. You’re my number one. I just don’t want them using you.” She looked around and spoke quieter. “You’re important to me.”

  His heart thrummed, and he held her closer. “That’s what I like to hear,” he whispered close to her ear, the softness of her skin brushing against his lips.

  His phone dinged. “That’s gonna be Cole’s guys. You ready to leave?”

  “Yes.”

  Ryker nodded at Bree, and she and Paxton linked hands.

  “Looks like the punk is coming with us.”

  “Oh, cut it out. He’s adorable.”

  “I’ll never understand women.”

  They pushed their way to the front by the DJ and tried to slip out on the edge of the crowd. They got as far as the other corner before they were surrounded again.

  Ryker put his phone to his ear. “Yup. We need you.”

  The side door opened, and four huge guys pushed through to them. “Excuse me, Mr. Stone. Come with me.” They formed a bit of a space for their small group to move and then escorted them out to the car.

  Ryker shook hands with the nearest man. “Thanks, man.”

  “No problem.”

  When their door was shut and the limo was driving away, Ryker exhaled slowly. “Wow, that was something.”

  Paxton laughed nervously.

  “So, who are you anyway?” Ryker’s tone came out a bit more abrupt than he’d meant it to.

  Bree frowned. “Paxton’s in my Biology class. We are actually working on a project together right now.”

  Ryker studied him. He seemed sincere, like maybe a nice kid. “Good to meet you.” He reached out a hand. “Ryker Stone. This is Trista McKinney.”

  Paxton shook hands with them both. “That was nuts in there. I’m sorry you can’t just have a normal time of it.”

  “Well, I’m sorry you couldn’t either tonight. Maybe ice cream?”

  “I’m in.” Trista raised her hand.

  But Bree and Paxton hesitated. “We’ve got school tomorrow. How about a drop-off at the park near our house?” Bree tried to appear casual about it, but Ryker knew the purpose of that park. Before he could say anything further, Trista put a hand on his knee. “That sounds great.”

  Ryker closed his mouth.

  Bree nodded, smiling at Trista. “And maybe you can step in to meet the folks? Let mom know where we are and then get ice cream?”

  “Oh, um.” Trista looked from Bree to Ryker.

  Ryker coughed. He’d have words with Bree later. But now what? It was only eight. His folks would be up. Did he want them to meet Trista and get all excited about a woman in his life if she wasn’t there to stay?

  His hesitation must have shown because Bree kicked him at the same time that Trista said, “Unless you’d rather just skip the folks.”

  “No.” He reached for her hand that was nervously clenching her purse straps. “That’s a great idea. They should be up.” He whipped them a warning text in case laundry was all over the living room couch or something. “And they might even have ice cream in the freezer.”

  Ryker wasn’t sure what to feel. Some guy was probably going to try to make a move on his sister, and Trista was going home to meet his folks. Why was this a problem? Maybe he was the only one holding them back. His parent’s home was small, his family simple. But the more he knew about Trista, the more she seemed like she might fit right in. No turning back now. He could only hope tonight was a good move.

  Bree winked at him. At least his sister liked the idea, though he doubted the purity of her motives.

  .

  Chapter 11

  Trista had noticed the hesitation on Ryker’s face. He wasn’t ready for her to meet his folks. But there was no going back now. They were headed there, even if a sort of awkward uneasiness had settled on everyone in the car.

  Bree cleared her throat. “Dad’s probably going over math homework.”

  Trista perked up. “Oh?”

  Bree smiled like she knew a secret. “He’s a professor at Tallum Hall University nearby.”

  “A math professor?” Trista couldn’t keep the excited trill out of her voice. You’d think she was back at the spa getting her nails done. Who geeked out over math? She did.

  “He might know more of pi than you.”

  “No way. We got interrupted at the game. I’m in the middle of breaking my own record.”

  Ryker shook his head. “Do I want to know what you’re talking about?”

  “Probably not.” Trista squeezed his hand. “So, do you think maybe I could talk to him about his classes? What he teaches?”

  Ryker eyed her with some amusement and a great amount of curiosity. “You can talk to him about whatever you want. If he finds out you’re into math, he might sequester you away for hours, and I’ll lose my ice cream date.”

  Trista smiled. “You know how everyone has a secret nerdy hobby?”

  She could tell he wanted to agree with her, but then he shook his head. “I’m not sure everyone does.”

  She laughed. Then shrugged. “You might as well know now. Math is my first love.”

  He stretched an arm over across her shoulders. “Good to know my competition.”

  Paxton laughed, and then he reached his arm across Bree’s shoulders. Ryker tensed, but Trista nudged him.

  Paxton smirked. “So what’s my competition?”

  Bree flushed a solid red, which Trista found adorable. “Oh, you’re gonna have to discover that for yourself.”

  They pulled up to a charming park, one Trista would expect to find in a suburban neighborhood. A single swing shifted in the wind. Paths led around a large green area. The stars were out, and the moon shone brightly. “Have fun!” She called as Bree and Paxton got out of the car.

  They waved as the limo slowly pulled out and turned the corner.

  “Do you think he’s gonna try something?”

  “I would hope so. Hold her hand or something.”

  Ryker grunted. “She’s only seventeen you know.”

  “I think she’s got this. She’s a smart kid.”

  “True.” His frown grew.

  “Hey, we don’t have to meet your parents.”

  “I know. You’re right. This doesn’t have to be a big deal. They’re just—well, we’re simple. And I like to keep it that way.”

  Trista wasn’t sure what he meant by that. She started to worry again about how he felt about her, but he leaned close, his lips pressing into her cheek. “I’m happy you’re coming over.”

  She nodded and turned to him, their faces an inch apart. “You are?”

  He touched her lips with his own, just enough for her whole body to respond. Then the car stopped, and he slid out to open the door for her.

  “Wow,” she whispered to herself. “Just wow.”

  “What was that?” Ryker dipped his head down to peer in at her with a knowing twinkle in his eyes.

  “We’ll see about that, Ryker Stone.”

  He reached for her hand to help her out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  But his devilish grin, his teasing saunter, told her all she needed to know about this game, and she vowed to win.

  She stepped up beside him, her stomach turning inside. Then she laced her fingers in his, suddenly nervous about a charming one level house in a beautiful quiet neig
hborhood. “You’re right. This was too soon. Maybe we can run away?”

  The front door opened to Ryker’s relaxed chuckle. A tall woman with blond hair waved to them and called back into the house. She was joined by a taller man, slender, with thinning sandy blond hair. They stood side by side, and Trista was enchanted. “They’re lovely.”

  “You haven’t even met them yet. Come on.” He walked faster, his sudden energy boosting her confidence, and she soon found herself shaking hands with the loveliest parents she could have imagined for Ryker.

  His mother was sharp and smart, her eyes missing nothing. She invited them in.

  His father was warm and funny. They led them into a front sitting room. The house was older, but the furnishing new. Everything seemed updated and crisp, clean, open.

  And on one wall, the Ryker Stone exhibit made her smile.

  “So, you were at the game yesterday?” Mallory Stone, his mother, sat carefully on one of their high, wingback chairs.

  “I was. I sat with Bree.”

  “We’re sorry we missed you. We had a symposium over at the university and couldn’t make it back in time.”

  “Maybe next time. I’m hoping to come down for as many home games as I can.”

  Mallory’s eyebrows rose as she looked from Ryker to her and back.

  “May I ask what kind of symposium you attended?” Trista asked.

  “Oh, something Roger’s been studying. He did a presentation on a new bit of research for a project.” She smiled at her husband, and Trista was happy to see the love between Ryker’s parents.

  Roger cleared his throat. “It’s an exciting bit of news really. I stumbled across this pattern, a phenomenon between prime numbers, and the more I tested it, I couldn’t find a fault in it. So I drafted a paper, ran hours of proofing…” He looked around the room. “And I need to always remind myself how little other people care about this stuff.”

  “No.” Trista leaned forward in her chair. “I would love to see what you discovered.”

  Mallory smiled, perhaps a bit condescendingly. “He’s simplifying his explanation quite a bit. It’s really rather complicated…”

  Ryker nodded at his father. “I think she’s serious. It seems I’ve stumbled upon a math aficionado.”