Part 11 (1/2)

His mouth watered at the sight of the cream-filled dessert. Julianne was as much a genius in the kitchen as she was a fas.h.i.+on designer, but tomorrow was Friday, a heavy practice day, and he couldn't afford to tamper with his blood sugar.

”Brody's on a diet,” Devlin said, saving him from an awkward moment with Julianne, who took it personally if anyone refused her offering of food.

Carly Devlin looked up from her throne of pillows on the sofa. ”A diet?” She patted her baby b.u.mp. ”Great. The man with the perfect body is on a diet while I grow to be as big as a house.”

Her husband placed his hand over hers on her belly. ”Carly, you're beautiful. You're just tired. Especially if you think his body is more perfect than mine.”

Connelly laughed.

Carly beamed at her husband. ”You're right, I'm definitely confused. But I'll need to do some more research later.”

The couple stared at one another, silently communicating their thoughts and affection. The intimate byplay made Brody squirm with discomfort.

”Brody's new girlfriend has him on a special diet,” Connelly teased. ”Its purpose, apparently, is to enhance his performance.”

Both women arched an eyebrow at the s.e.xual innuendo as their husbands laughed. Owen rocked on his hands and knees, trying unsuccessfully to crawl to Brody's shoelace. Scooping the baby onto his lap, Brody let him gum the string on his hoodie.

”Laugh all you want, but my reception rating is the best in the league right now.” The two men could rib him all night, but Brody's play on field spoke for itself. His game was at its peak thanks to Shannon's nutritional a.s.sistance.

Devlin nodded in acquiescence before taking a swallow from his coffee mug. ”Of course, you're just standing there catching the ball.”

”All right, you two, leave Brody alone.” Julianne made herself comfortable on the floor, leaning her back against her husband's wide chest. Connelly's arms closed around her as his lips found her mahogany hair. ”What's wrong, Brody? When you called, you said it was important,” she asked.

This was the tricky part. Julianne would happily help Shannon pick out clothes, in fact, she'd revel in it. But executing the second part of his plan was more delicate and Julianne's help was crucial for it to work.

”Actually, I was wondering if I could speak with you alone a minute.”

All four pairs of eyes homed in on him. Julianne's and Carly's were intrigued. Devlin's, not so much. And Connelly's-the master of the caveman persona-were wary.

”I thought we were through with you having private conversations with my wife!”

Julianne patted her husband on the chest. ”Down boy.” She got to her feet, lifting Owen off Brody's lap. ”Come on, Brody. We can discuss your girl problems upstairs while I get this little one in his pajamas.”

He stood to follow her, wondering when he'd become so easy to read. He hadn't mentioned Shannon or any other woman when he'd called.

”I warned you to be nice to Shay, Brody.” Connelly narrowed his eyes at him.

”The team took a vote,” Devlin teased. ”If you two break up, it's you who has to leave. How's she at running a fade route?”

Brody flipped them both off as he climbed the narrow stairs leading up to the loft's bedroom. Julianne laid Owen down on the changing table and began to undress the squirming baby. ”Tell me what this is all about, Brody, before Will comes charging up here.” She smiled smugly to herself. ”Not that I mind when he throws around the testosterone.”

Jeez Louise. This entire night was chock-full of TMI. Brody sat on the corner of the king-sized bed his teammate undoubtedly used to throw his testosterone around in before springing back to his feet to pace the room.

”You know my sister is getting married next weekend,” he began.

”Of course I do, Brody. I designed her gown, remember?” She eyed him quizzically from over her son's naked belly. ”Will and I are guests, too. The inn is supposed to be gorgeous.” She kissed Owen's feet. ”And this little guy is going to stay with Grandma and Hank.”

d.a.m.n. How did he not know that? Probably because he didn't give a c.r.a.p who his sister invited to her wedding. Except all the single women queued up to dance with him. As if the weekend wouldn't be awkward enough. He and Shannon would not only have his family to convince they were dating, but his ber-observant teammate as well.

Brody shoved a hand through his hair. ”Perfect. Listen, I was wondering if you could help out my date.”

Julianne's hands stilled, half the snaps of the baby's onesie undone. ”Your mom said you weren't bringing a date.”

He stopped his pacing, dumbfounded that his mother was discussing this with more people than just his sisters. ”Well I am bringing a date,” he said a little too defensively.

Julianne tsked at him, resuming her task. ”You need to let your mother know. There's a lot that goes into planning a wedding, Brody. Last-minute surprises won't be appreciated.”

Brody processed her reprimand, making a mental note to text his mother later that night. ”Got it. Now, will you help me?”

Handing him the now fussy baby, she disappeared into the bathroom to dispose of the diaper and wash her hands. ”Of course I will, Brody. But who's the lucky girl?”

”Her name is Shannon. She's a grad student who works for the team.”

Julianne's face registered her surprise as she came out of the bathroom drying her hands on a towel. ”So the girl from the cafeteria really is your girlfriend?”

He sank back down on the corner of the bed, cradling Owen who gummed the ear of a stuffed bunny. ”We're involved.” It wasn't exactly a lie. Still, he kept his eyes on the baby rather than meet Julianne's shrewd ones.

”I thought you gave up on casual flings? You said you wanted to find a girl who gets you?”

Brody wasn't sure if it was the sweet smell of a sleepy baby in his arms or the unabashed happiness and desire he'd witnessed between his friends, but he suddenly felt as if he were suffocating. He wanted something except he didn't know what that something was. ”It's gonna be hard to find a woman who gets me if I don't even get myself,” he blurted out.

”Oh, Brody,” Julianne whispered.

The concern in her eyes frustrated him even more. He jiggled the whimpering baby. ”Look can you just help me, please? For some reason she's hung up on what to wear to the wedding. Can you help her out? Take her shopping.”

Understanding dawned on Julianne's face. ”Of course I can. We can go to the local discount shops and find something perfect that will fit into her budget.”

”No.” Brody shook his head. ”Not discount. I want her to have the best. I'm paying. Deck her out in whatever she'll need for the weekend. Head to toe.”

Julianne's mouth gaped open.

”I want her to be comfortable, Julianne. To not feel . . . ashamed of anything.”

A rapturous smile lit up her face and Brody felt like a hypocrite. Yeah, he was blackmailing Shannon into going with him to his sister's wedding, but he did want her to feel good about herself. He wanted to see those whiskey eyes relaxed and s.h.i.+ning with happiness.

Julianne patted him on the head. ”Brody Janik, you are a sweet, sweet man.”

”Well, keep that in mind because I have a second favor to ask and it's a lot more delicate.”

Taking the baby from his arms, she pressed a pacifier into Owen's mouth. ”Well, you've just given me carte blanche with your credit cards. I guess I can handle one more favor.”

Twelve.

Shay sat with Emma Richardson in the nearly deserted commissary of the practice facility, the girl's chemistry homework spread out on the table. The rest of the building was a beehive of activity as the players and staff prepared to board the buses that would take them to the team's charter flight to Cleveland later that morning.

”Are you going to the game, too?” Emma asked.