And last year he’d learned Jesse wasn’t his biological father. He was none of the Prescott kids’ biological father. In an unbelievable revelation, when their Uncle Paul had needed a kidney transplant, he’d come to them and asked them all to be tested as possible matches. Because Paul had been their sperm donor when Jesse couldn’t get his wife pregnant. Another failure in Jesse’s eyes. Another reason to drive his kids even harder.
Damon frowned at the memory. Austin had been the kidney donor. Damon loved his brother, but he’d always been blessed in a way that either things came easily, like football, or he was the savior, in the case of uncle Paul.
His phone rang and he glanced at the screen, seeing it was Evie. “Hello?”
“Hi. I have an idea. I know you’re suspended, but you said we could run into your teammates in public places, right?”
He heard the excitement in her voice. “Right.”
“I think we should go out as a couple. A place where you think your backup quarterback might be. I’d like to meet him and assess him for myself.”
“I like that plan.” Once the season began in earnest, the guys would basically be on lockdown, but right now? They had a chance. “I know exactly where to find Emerson.”
“Where?”
“Diamond Joe’s. It’s a huge step down from Allstars. Less privacy and more clinging women,” Damon said.
“Diamond Joe’s. Oh, joy,” she muttered, recognizing the name. “What’s the dress code?”
“T and A,” he said, laughing to himself, although from the groan on the other end of the phone, he could envision Evie rolling her eyes.
“I’ll drive in case your head hurts. Pick you up at ten?” she said more than asked.
“Yes, boss,” he said with a grin.
* * *
Damon was ready when Evie pulled up to his house in her Mini Cooper convertible. He locked up and headed out to meet her. He’d turned off his phone, wanting to give her his full attention tonight.
She opened her door and met him on the driveway, taking his breath away. A black leather miniskirt hit high on her thighs, a pair of red stilettos—fuck-me heels and he imagined doing just that—showed off her long, tanned legs, and a low-dipped shirt beneath her leather jacket revealed full, mouthwatering cleavage. God, this woman affected him. Not only did he desire her but he liked her witty mouth and smart mind. He was no longer content to look and not touch. Somehow, he had to convince her they were good together for real.
“Looking good, Evie.” He dragged his gaze over hers once more.
She grinned. “Glad I meet with your approval,” she said, but her eyes flashed with pleasure. “So, I thought maybe you’d want me to drive your car. Mine’s a little small for you.”
His head was much better today and hadn’t acted up tonight. He recalled curling up in her small front seat the other night and winced. “You want to drive my McClaren.” He burst out laughing.
“I can handle it. You think I can’t?” She held out her hand. “Keys?”
He shook his head. “I woke up this morning finally feeling better. And I have driven when it was an emergency. I just said okay to you driving over because I wanted to make sure I was fine tonight, too.” He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his fob. “Park your car in one of the extra spots and I’ll pull out.”
“You’re such a man.” Frowning at him, she walked around her car and slid inside, starting the engine so she could move the vehicle.
“Drive my baby,” he muttered, laughing as he headed back inside to open the electric door.
He backed his car out of the garage, climbing out and meeting Evie at the passenger side, opening the door for her. She slid in, the scent of her perfume hitting him hard as she brushed past him.
On the trip downtown, she peppered him with more questions about his life in an attempt to learn more about him before they met up with people he knew at the bar, and he enjoyed answering her questions.
“Who’s your best friend?”
That one was easy and plural. “My brothers.”
“Besides family,” she said.
He glanced over at her before refocusing on the road. “Asher Dare.”
She slid those long legs to the side and leaned in close. “The Asher Dare? The one who, along with his brother Harrison, owns Dirty Dog Vodka? Harrison Dare, the biggest actor on the planet?”
Hands on the wheel, he grinned. “And Nick and Zach, the other brothers, and me. I have a small stake in the company as well. And yes, we’re all related. And they have a sister, Emery.”
She smacked her head against the back of the seat. “I never put it together.”
“Why would you? They’re cousins on my New York family’s side.”
“Why go into the vodka business?” she asked.