Game For Love: All The Right Moves (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Marquita Valentine Page A

one-legged asshole,” Will shouted right back.
    “Watch it, or I’ll take my leg and shove it up your ass.”
    “Didn’t know you lost your dick in the war, too, buddy.”
    A dish slammed against the wall. Then the table crashed into it, as a fight broke out between them. She had heard the sounds of them fighting often enough to know. By tonight, however, they’d be on the couch, drinking beer and watching ESPN, like nothing had happened.
    “ Brothers,” she said with a huff.
     
    Ryan waited for J.R. Macmillan, the Avengers owner, to join him in the man’s office. It was sleek, full of old-world-style furniture, and lots of new money. At one point, J.R. had a gold-plated toilet that practically wiped your ass after using it.
    The Texan walked inside, trademark cowboy hat on his balding head and cigar clamped between his lips. “Ryan, my boy. Glad you could make some time for me.”
    “Yes, sir .” Ryan shook the older man’s hand.
    “What’s this I hear about Dallas wanting my best player?” J.R. wasted no time getting to the point. Something Ryan had always admired.
    “They want me to play for them.”
    J.R. eyed him. “And what do you want to do?”
    A year ago, he would have jumped at their offer. Hell, two months ago, he would have said that the Cowboys were his dream team. That finally being asked to play for them was a dream come true. But that was before he met a fiery redhead in puppy-parenting class who made him weak in the knees.
    “I’ m considering all of my options,” Ryan replied noncommittally.
    J .R. smiled. “I’m not like most owners, willing to hold a man by the short and curlys until he cries ‘uncle’. But, I’ll need an answer soon. There’s a player I’ve had my eye on for a while now, but I heard the two of you don’t play well together.”
    Ryan sucked in a breath, feeling like he’d been sucker punched. He struggled to keep a neutral face. “Dean Clark?”
    “The rumors are true, then.”
    He wasn’t about to badmouth another player, even if he’d sooner punch himself in the throat than play with Dean again. He didn’t want that asshole in the same country as Ashley, much less the same city.
    “We got along fine,” he said tightly.
    J.R.’s eyes gleamed. “Fine. Such a versatile word, don’t you think?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “It can mean everything from ‘okay’ to ‘I’d rather have my left nut chewed off by a beaver with dull teeth than play with Dean Clark again.’”
    Ryan blinked. “I didn’t say that, sir.”
    “You didn’t have to, son.” JR held out his hand, and Ryan shook it. “Good talking to you, Ryan. Be sure to keep me in the loop, but I can only wait but so long. Summer training’s coming up.”
    Ryan walked out of J .R.’s office, feeling conflicted over their conversation and the next step in his career—and it had everything to do with Ashley Mitchell.

Chapter Ten
    Bright and early on Friday morning, Ashley met Ryan at Beauregard’s.
    Gunner and Blueb elle jumped and barked at each other, their little tails wagging a mile a minute. It was obvious to everyone that they were thrilled to see each other.
    “I think we need to take them off their leashes,” Ashley said.
    Ryan nodded. “Yeah, they can run and play to their heart’s content while we talk.”
    Her stomach dropped. She did not like the sound of that. No man she knew willingly suggested conversation when they could be running around with their dog. Especially in this place.
    “Okay.” She set Bluebelle free, and Ryan did the same for Gunner, before they walked to a nearby bench situated under a large, shady oak tree.
    “It’s nice today,” he said, and Ashley glanced at him. This was worse than what she’d originally thought. Weren’t they past the point of polite weather conversation? They’d seen each other’s bare butts, for goodness sake.
    She adjusted her sunglasses and watched their dogs play while she worked up the nerve to ask him what was wrong.