Hotshot (The Bennett Brothers 1)

Shit, that may have hit too close.

“Shaw, we don’t talk about it, and she’d probably kill me, but she had it rough. It may have been a long time ago, but it’s still in her head. This isn’t just about kids being cruel; it’s about the fear of every check-up, the lonely nights as she watched other girls date. She never could let loose and relax. I had so much going on, and I included her, but she didn’t really bounce back from the treatments like I did. Her cancer was a bit more intense, if you can classify it that way. She had so much more to overcome. I basically forced her to socialize, and all my friends accepted her as part of us.

“She got drunk our freshman year of college. I watched her p

uke for two days because she insisted on drinking Hunch-Punch. It was brutal, and I was so fucking scared. She finally slapped me around when I threatened to call her parents and told me she deserved it. She wasn’t miserable. She was fucking happy. Happy to be living like a rebellious teen.”

“Shit.” I lean back, imagining her as a lightweight puking and my brother as her caregiver.

“Finally, she drank a full Coke without spewing it everywhere, and I knew she’d be okay. It was always like that. I took care of her and she took care of me. ALWAYS. The girl wormed her way into my fucking blood, and I can’t let her go. So when I heard about this thing with Grady, at first I was upset, but I understood. She worries about me. I was ready to drive up there when she didn’t answer her phone. The thought of her lying around in tears, hurting, physically pained me.”

“Fucking shit.” His explanation hits me like a sledgehammer. I thought I knew the depth of their connection, but it’s so much deeper. The sense of pride I have for my baby brother is sliced with jealousy. He knows so much more about this woman, and I don’t like the way it settles inside me.

“I can’t believe I told you all that. Must be the therapy shit I’m forced to do because of my agent.” He gives a strained chuckle.

I snap into agent mode, trying to ease the tension. “Therapy is not shit. I recommend all my clients at least try it.”

“You going to tell these jokers you’re vetting this weekend?”

“Nope, that’s in the fine print.” It’s my turn to laugh.

“Hard ass bastard.”

“Listen, Nicky, I get you. I get everywhere you’re coming from, and thank you for sharing. But you can trust me. Starting tomorrow, I’ll make sure she has the time of her life. Besides a few dinners, I’ve got plans to keep her mind occupied and give her some much deserved relaxation.”

“I trust you, Shaw, but there are only a few people who have that honor. Tell her to call me when she can and I’ll relax.”

“You focus on getting your head in the game and showing those fuckers what you can do. Don’t get hurt and don’t be stupid.”

“Get my best friend to call me and I promise you’ll make your salary.” Without another word, he hangs up.

I sit in silence and notice we’re idling outside the hotel with the driver waiting patiently. He gives me a warm smile and thanks me when I tip him generously.

Making my way inside, I stop by the gift shop and pick up a bouquet of flowers before heading upstairs. We have five hours before dinner, and I plan on spending it with Bizzy. The feeling of her in my arms last night and the news my brother shared has changed everything. I’m going in stronger and hope to God she’s on the same page.

“Tell me again, who’re we meeting with tonight?” Bizzy looks at me, nervously biting the inside of her cheek. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”

“I’ve told you a hundred times, you’d never embarrass me. We’re meeting with Joe Palos. He’s a baseball player. His agent is retiring this month and asked me to meet him because he’s an old acquaintance of mine.”

“Is he a good player?”

I raise my eyebrows and give her a look of disbelief. “Do I work with anyone besides the best?”

“Joe Palos, Joe… Joe… Joe…” she repeats. “Okay, I think I’ll remember.”

“Biz, relax.”

“I can’t. This is important. This could mean a lot of money for you.”

“I said relax.” I reach over to her chair and take her hand in mine. “It’s almost a done deal.”

“Why are you so calm? Couldn’t this mean millions of dollars? Surely, you have better things to do than hang out with me by the pool when you’re supposed to be here working.”

Her words are simple and sweet, her concern evident, but still they sting. I’ve always known she was selfless, but Nick’s words now ring in my ears. Nothing in the world is more important to me than spending the afternoon with her. Without knowing it, she’s given me the in I’ve been waiting for.

I throw my legs over my lounger and pull her to stand. She almost loses her balance until I circle my free arm around her waist and catch her. “Take a walk with me.”

She raises her head and looks at me from under the brim of her hat, her breath hitching as I skim my hand along the bare skin of her back.