“I couldn’t miss my brother’s big introduction.” She pulled him into a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re back, and I know you’re going to kick ass at this position.”
She stepped back and tucked her dark hair behind one ear. “Okay, why do you look stressed? Is this too much for you?” She gestured around the room still full of people.
He shook his head. “I’m fine. There’s just someone I need to see, and I haven’t had a second to slip out of here.”
“Aah. Willow?”
He inclined his head. “Willow.”
Bri had known Willow from the year that she and Braden had been involved. She was a publicist at their brother Austin’s firm, Dare Nation, and many of her clients were Thunder players, so she kept up with staffing and roster changes. She’d know that Willow was now head of the Athletic Training Department. The two women had gotten along well, but Willow tended to keep people at a distance, and Bri had respected her boundaries. Braden had just begun to break through her outer shell to the soft woman beneath when the MSF opportunity had come up.
“You’re distracted. Come. I’ll walk with you to the training area, then I’ll go bother some of my clients about their lack of social media presence.”
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t want to be them.”
Bri was the best at what she did, because before she took on a client, she laid out exactly what she both needed and expected of them. Once they agreed, she rode them hard to get the optimal result, but that could make her a pain in the ass, which was what they paid her to be.
She nudged Braden in the ribs. “They love me.”
He rolled his eyes just as Hudson walked up and joined them. “Good job,” he said, slapping Braden on the back.
“I was just telling him that,” Bri said.
Hudson smiled at Bri. “You look beautiful today. The royal blue in your shirt brings out your eyes.”
“Is that your way of flirting?” Bri asked, sounding almost coy.
Braden narrowed his gaze. “I think it was a compliment. I’m not so sure he’d make a play in front of your brother. Your twin.”
That earned him another nudge in his ribs. “I don’t need you protecting me like I’m five years old.”
Hudson laughed. “You two bicker like siblings. I’m complimenting a beautiful woman. Although if I wanted to date her, I’d think you’d approve of your best friend asking your sister out?” Hudson threw the volley back and smiled at them both. “See you later,” he said, and before Braden could reply, he strode off, shaking his head.
“You made me look like I can’t handle myself. Like a child. Don’t do that,” Bri said, obviously annoyed with him.
He held up both hands. “I’m sorry. Hudson’s a good guy. It was just instinct to protect you.”
“Well, as I tell my four brothers, I don’t need protection!”
“I’ll always look out for you,” Braden said, being deliberately stubborn because it was true.
She let out an exasperated noise. “How about we go find Willow and put your love life front and center?” she asked, clearly still worked up over his interference.
“Sounds like a plan,” he muttered.
They headed out of the room, and although Ian had given him a tour of the stadium during off hours, he was glad to have Bri by his side directing him. Even if she was still annoyed with him.
After passing through the Hall of Fame, which included Austin, who had retired as a wide receiver, he thought maybe one day Damon, the current quarterback, would also hang on these hallowed walls.
Bri stopped at a point where they could go straight or right. “Since I doubt you want to face her for the first time with your sister holding your hand, I’ll leave you here. Down that hall and the room on the right. Her name’s on the door.”
“Come on, Bri. Don’t be mad at me.” He used his most cajoling voice.
She frowned but he could tell it was forced. “I’m not mad. You’re just annoying.”
“But you love me.” He kissed her cheek. “Talk to you soon.”
He turned and headed down the hall, scanning the doors with name plaques on each. He realized from his previous tour that Willow’s office probably connected on another side to the gym area where the trainers worked with the athletes.
Drawing a deep breath, he knocked on her door.
* * *
Willow returned to her office and tried to immerse herself in the information on her computer about current players and their injuries but kept spacing out. She found it hard to focus when all she could see was Braden standing on the stage, looking so good in his suit and new scruff of beard. She hated how her body still responded to a mere look at him.
She clicked on the mouse of her computer when a knock sounded on her door, no doubt Steffy coming by to gossip about her blurting out her past relationship with the team’s new doctor.