Tyler sat on his dad’s couch, sulking. He filled his mouth with scotch, savoring the dark flavor that matched his mood.

Christ. Had he actually sunk so low he couldn’t be happy his team was playing well?

Yes, the scotch answered. Yes, you have.

His fucking backup was a kid. A guy called up from the minors. Tyler had met Eric Sandquist a time or two. He was an arrogant little prick with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. But the kid was good. Damn good. And with his own contract up for renewal, damn good meant Tyler had cause for concern if he couldn’t come back to the game at one-hundred percent.

He glanced at Gabriella, who was deep in conversation with Matt across the room. Gabriella’s brows furrowed, a slight frown tugging at her lips. Arrogance made him want to believe they were discussing his therapy. The alcohol helped him ignore the fact the two had been friends—for years, apparently—and that they most assuredly had things to talk about other than him. Whatever it was, Gabriella didn’t look amused.

Welcome to the club, baby.

Tyler didn’t have a Plan B. Baseball was all he’d ever known. He hadn’t even considered the possibility he wouldn’t play until retirement. If he had, he might’ve made different choices. Like his buddy Garrett. Instead of joining the draft three years into college as Tyler had done, Garrett finished his degree before signing with the team.

Garrett had a promising career with the Empire, a beautiful woman who loved him, a solid future.

Tyler had a fucked-up shoulder, an expiring contract, and a sudden jealousy for Garrett’s good fortune.

He drained the scotch from his glass.

Glancing to where his dad sat less than five feet away, Tyler didn’t have to hear “I told you so.” The smirk aimed his way said it all.

His dad had been there for every game. Every practice. Every important event in Tyler’s life. His teachers, his coaches, had all seen Charles Brady as a shining example of fatherly support.

If only they’d seen the truth.

His father was a self-serving son-of-a-bitch. No matter what Tyler had done, it had never been good enough. Sure, Dad had always been there. But not to be supportive. He just wanted a front row seat if Tyler happened to fail.

It chapped his ass to give him the satisfaction.

“So, Tyler.” One of his dad’s friends—John something or other—drew his attention. “I hear you’re out for the season.”

That’s what the experts were saying.

Tyler resisted the urge to pop off a smart remark about it being none of his business. Damn his dad. Bastard couldn’t keep his mouth shut if his life depended on it.

Tyler hadn’t spoken publicly about his injury or his extended visit to Arkansas. His focus was on getting back to work, not fielding pain-in-the-ass reporters hell-bent on being the one to gain exclusive information on how he was doing. There was enough speculation to keep them hungry, but it wasn’t his job to feed them. Let the higher-ups and his agent handle the press.

Guess Dad’s posse was another story.

“I’m on the DL.” He had less than forty-five days left to get his shit together or the experts would be right. “I’m not out for the season.” He’d see to it.

John gave him a sympathetic look. “I heard you did quite a number on your shoulder.”

“You hear a lot.” Too much, apparently.

“It’s big news around here,” his dad announced. “Local hero injured chasing foul ball in a spring training matchup? Really, son, what were you thinking?”

He’d thought he should catch the ball, which he did. Wasn’t that the point? “I misjudged how close I was to the wall.” Yeah, that hurt to admit, but it was no less true. His dad had a point, though. He shouldn’t have taken the risk. He knew it then, and he was paying for it now.

“Gotta give him kudos for style, though. Right, Mr. B.?” Devon laughed beside him. “That catch is still making the rounds on the sports channels.”

A rare look of pride flashed across his dad’s face and was gone so fast, Tyler almost missed it.

“Baseball’s a game of reflexes. Quick thinking. No time to think through decisions, right, Tyler?”

“Yes, sir. That’s right.” His name sounded foreign coming from a man who rarely called him anything but “boy.”

Charlie nodded and spoke to the other men in the room. “Even as a kid Ty wasn’t much for the long thought process. Went with his gut every time.”

It was as close to a compliment as he would get—and Tyler would take it. Quick reflexes and instinct were what made him a good ball player.

And with that, Charlie was done. “So, Devon. How’re your folks? We haven’t heard from them in awhile.”

After a glance to make sure Gabriella was still occupied with Matt, Tyler quietly excused himself to go to the kitchen, feeling as though he’d just dodged a round of bullets. Devon knew how to handle himself with the old man, so Tyler didn’t have an ounce of guilt for leaving him there to do what Devon did best—charm the whole room.

He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. He slung the door shut, surprised to find his sister standing where the door had been.

“Jesus, Madison. Sneak up on a guy why don’t you?” He glared down at her as he swallowed his heart back into place.

Younger than him and a good foot or more shorter, Maddie had a way of moving silently through a room. Like she had an internal stealth mode that was always on. Creepy as shit, if you asked him.

“Sorry. I was hoping we could talk for a few minutes.”

“Sure. What’s up?”

She walked around to sit at the table. Tyler took the hint and joined her.

“I’ve been offered a summer internship.”

Madison had just finished her junior year at Boston University. “Really? Maddie, that’s fantastic.” He reached for her hand, but stopped when he noticed her miserable expression. “Or is it?”

She circled a scar on the surface of the table. “No, it is.”

Tyler kept his mouth shut. He knew she’d fill him in when she was good and ready. Where he tended to speak first, think later, Madison rarely said anything she didn’t mean. He was used to waiting for her to collect her thoughts.

She stopped fidgeting. “The internship is with a museum in New York City. It’s a great opportunity, Tyler. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but it could lead to a permanent job when I finish school next year. I even considered taking a few summer classes. Commuting from Boston to the city would suck up any free time I had though, so I’m not sure that’s the greatest idea.”

“Gabriella is from Boston.” He hadn’t meant for the random thought to slip out. He’d forgotten the connection until now.

Maddie’s spine straightened. “Is that how she knows Devon?”

He hadn’t mentioned to Gabriella that Devon played hockey for the Boston Sabers. “No. She lives here now, anyway. Devon and I met her just a few nights ago. We’ve hung out a little.” He wasn’t about to go into more detail with his sister. “She’s actually a massage therapist. She’s working with Matt to help me with my shoulder.”

“Oh. Well, that’s good then.”

Tyler chuckled. “I think so. Now, you wanna tell me what’s got your panties in a bunch about the internship? Sounds like a no-brainer to me.”

“Dad said I had to get a job this summer.”

“It’s not an unreasonable request. I’d say the internship qualifies.”

“Dad doesn’t agree. He thinks sitting in the dark recesses of a museum, cataloguing artifacts for no money is a waste of time. Just because he lives and breathes investment banking doesn’t make it the only viable occupation. Anyway, he said I was on my own. Said he’s paying for college so I can learn the skills to earn money in a profession, not give my knowledge away for free. Mom suggested I talk to you.”

Tyler played it cool when inside his guts churned in sudden, fiery anger. He had no right. “If you think I have any pull with Dad, let me remind you … I don’t.”

“I don’t want you to talk to him. It wouldn’t help anyway. You know how he is when his mind is set.”

Didn’t mean the conversation wouldn’t happen. Tyler was finished allowing their father to hold Maddie’s tuition over her head. “Then what do you need from me?”

“Could I stay at your place?”

“That’s it?” As usual, Tyler went with the first thing that popped into his head. “I don’t see why not. I’ll be in Arkansas for a while yet. I’ve got a few things to do that’ll bring me home off and on, but for the most part the place could be yours for the next month or so. After that, you’ll have to put up with me.” In the meantime, he’d have Devon or Garrett check in on her to make sure she stayed safe. “As long as you don’t throw any crazy parties, and stay out of my bedroom, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. Do you have any money?” His refrigerator was empty, and the cupboards probably were too. He hadn’t been home for a few weeks. The sweet older lady from down the hall checked on his place and brought in the mail when he was away.

Maddie’s eyes shone with tears. “Some. Enough for a plane ticket to get me there.”

Tyler cursed under his breath. If she started crying, he was done for. He’d managed not to fight with Dad tonight, but tears pretty much guaranteed that would change.

“When do you start at the museum?”

“I haven’t accepted the position yet. I wasn’t sure I could make it work.”

“Call and tell them you’ll take it.” He’d be damned if she would miss out on an opportunity to do something she loved. He would transfer enough money into her bank account to get her through the summer.

“I’ll get a part-time job once I get there, I promise.”

“Just call them.”

“Okay, I will. Thank you.”

He did reach for her hand this time. He gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Would you be upset if we didn’t stay for dinner?” The game was over, and he’d had enough for one night. His temper frayed by the minute.

“No. It’s okay. I guess I’ve got some phone calls to make anyway.”

“Good.”

They stood and shared a hug.

“Don’t worry about anything, okay?” he told her. “Whatever you need, I’ll take care of it.”

Tyler left his sister to make her calls.

He found Gabriella where he’d left her, only now Devon had joined her little group. He couldn’t help but smile at the animated way she talked with her hands. The woman had passion in her—no doubt. He’d gotten a little taste of it earlier. He wanted more.

Gabriella caught him staring and waved him over.

“Where’d you run off to?” she asked as he positioned himself next to her, nudging Matt aside.

“Kitchen. You ready to get out of here?” The talk with Maddie ramped his temper. He didn’t want to be anywhere near his father when it boiled over.

“Why don’t you all come to my house?” Matt said. “I’ve got beer. There’s another game coming on.”

Devon clapped his hands together. “I’m in. I’ve got to help Maddie with something first, though.”

Confused, Tyler asked, “With what?”

“Who the hell knows with that girl? Probably wants me to move something heavy.” Devon flexed his muscles, making Gabriella laugh.

“Better you than me. Before I forget,” Tyler lowered his voice so his dad wouldn’t overhear. “Mad’s gonna stay at my place this summer. I’d appreciate it if you’d check in on her occasionally. Just until I’m back in town.”

“Yeah, sure.” Devon shrugged as though it was no big deal, and Tyler knew it wasn’t. Devon treated Maddie as though she were his kid sister, too. “Just give me the particulars.”

“Yep. But later, okay? I’m beat. I’m gonna take Gabriella home.”

Without thinking, his hand landed on the small of her back. She didn’t protest—not as he made their hasty goodbyes, and not when he practically shoved her out the front door.

He didn’t let her go until they reached the car, where he could finally breathe again.