Read Online Holiday Games (A Play-By-Play Novella) by Jaci Burton - Free Book Online
Authors: Jaci Burton
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Guys didn’t need glitz and glamour to have a good time. Gavin just wanted to make sure Ty was having fun, and from the pile of chips in front of him and the wide grin on his face, he seemed to be having a blast.
They hit the poker room later in the evening, drank several beers, and played well into the night. Gavin had given Ty a choice of gambling or hitting the clubs.
“I spend a lot of time in Riley’s Club with Jenna,” he said. “Lots of music and dancing and we always have a really good time. If I want to hit a club, I’ll do it with my woman. Let’s gamble.”
It had been a good choice. This was quiet: just the guys, their beers, and their cards. Understated, and fucking perfect.
He sat in the sports book room and took a look at the betting, more or less to take a breather.
Mick joined him. The waitress came over and Mick ordered a soda while Gavin ordered another beer.
“Making bets on some of the games?” Mick asked.
“Nah. Just looking at the lines.”
The waitress brought their drinks.
“How’s Nathan doing?” Gavin asked.
“Good. He’s finishing up finals and coming home next week. I can’t wait to see him.”
“Me, too. He’s changed a lot since you and Tara first got together. He’s a man now.”
Mick laughed. “Yeah. He was just a kid when I first met Tara. A little unsure of himself, but still, he knew what he wanted. And now he’s the damned quarterback at the University of Texas. His freshman year and they took the Big 12 Championship.” Mick took a long swallow of soda with a smile on his face.
“Spoken like a proud father.”
“I know. I can hardly believe it myself. But he’s my kid. He might not have been born mine and he might not have my DNA, but he’s still mine and has been since— Hell, since the first day I met him, I guess. I couldn’t be more proud of everything he’s accomplished.”
“You’ve done some nudging along the way. There’s no doubt you’ve had some influence on him.”
“Yeah. A lot of don’t-fuck-this-up-like-I-did influence. He knows what not to do. He’s always gotten good grades, and he loves sports. He’s focused. Though he said he wants to bring his girlfriend to be his date for Ty’s wedding.”
Gavin arched a brow. “Nathan has a girlfriend?”
“So he tells me. Some hottie who plays for the basketball team there.”
“You said yes, right?”
“Of course I said yes. Though the poor girl will be subjected to all the Rileys. I’m not sure Nathan knows what he’s dragging her into.”
Gavin shrugged. “If she survives all of us at one time, she’s a keeper.”
Mick laughed. “You’re right about that. Maybe he’s smarter than I think. Trial by fire and all that.”
“Hey, relax, Dad,” Gavin teased. “He’s doing good.”
“I know. He’s got it all together. I keep reminding myself that every day.”
Gavin knew what Mick wasn’t saying. “And he’s not drinking.”
“God, no. Not like I was in college, anyway. He knows I’ll kick his ass from Texas back to Missouri if he does.”
“I think he understands how important this is. And what you went through with your alcoholism and how it almost cost you your shot in the NFL. Like you said, he’s a smart kid.”
“Yeah, he is.”
“So quit worrying and let’s figure out who’s going to kick Philadelphia’s ass on Sunday.”
Mick grinned and they stared at the board for a while. After that, they wandered out to find the others. Mick went back to playing blackjack with Garrett, while Gavin, Eddie, Victor, and Ty hit the poker tables.
Gavin wondered how Liz was doing with the women. Knowing her, she was probably showing them all a great time in Jamaica.
His woman knew how to party. He knew she had it well handled.
Still, she was on his mind, so when he took his next break he grabbed his phone and sent her a text, figuring she likely wouldn’t see it until tomorrow.
I miss you. How’s it going?
Surprisingly, she sent back a reply
They hit the poker room later in the evening, drank several beers, and played well into the night. Gavin had given Ty a choice of gambling or hitting the clubs.
“I spend a lot of time in Riley’s Club with Jenna,” he said. “Lots of music and dancing and we always have a really good time. If I want to hit a club, I’ll do it with my woman. Let’s gamble.”
It had been a good choice. This was quiet: just the guys, their beers, and their cards. Understated, and fucking perfect.
He sat in the sports book room and took a look at the betting, more or less to take a breather.
Mick joined him. The waitress came over and Mick ordered a soda while Gavin ordered another beer.
“Making bets on some of the games?” Mick asked.
“Nah. Just looking at the lines.”
The waitress brought their drinks.
“How’s Nathan doing?” Gavin asked.
“Good. He’s finishing up finals and coming home next week. I can’t wait to see him.”
“Me, too. He’s changed a lot since you and Tara first got together. He’s a man now.”
Mick laughed. “Yeah. He was just a kid when I first met Tara. A little unsure of himself, but still, he knew what he wanted. And now he’s the damned quarterback at the University of Texas. His freshman year and they took the Big 12 Championship.” Mick took a long swallow of soda with a smile on his face.
“Spoken like a proud father.”
“I know. I can hardly believe it myself. But he’s my kid. He might not have been born mine and he might not have my DNA, but he’s still mine and has been since— Hell, since the first day I met him, I guess. I couldn’t be more proud of everything he’s accomplished.”
“You’ve done some nudging along the way. There’s no doubt you’ve had some influence on him.”
“Yeah. A lot of don’t-fuck-this-up-like-I-did influence. He knows what not to do. He’s always gotten good grades, and he loves sports. He’s focused. Though he said he wants to bring his girlfriend to be his date for Ty’s wedding.”
Gavin arched a brow. “Nathan has a girlfriend?”
“So he tells me. Some hottie who plays for the basketball team there.”
“You said yes, right?”
“Of course I said yes. Though the poor girl will be subjected to all the Rileys. I’m not sure Nathan knows what he’s dragging her into.”
Gavin shrugged. “If she survives all of us at one time, she’s a keeper.”
Mick laughed. “You’re right about that. Maybe he’s smarter than I think. Trial by fire and all that.”
“Hey, relax, Dad,” Gavin teased. “He’s doing good.”
“I know. He’s got it all together. I keep reminding myself that every day.”
Gavin knew what Mick wasn’t saying. “And he’s not drinking.”
“God, no. Not like I was in college, anyway. He knows I’ll kick his ass from Texas back to Missouri if he does.”
“I think he understands how important this is. And what you went through with your alcoholism and how it almost cost you your shot in the NFL. Like you said, he’s a smart kid.”
“Yeah, he is.”
“So quit worrying and let’s figure out who’s going to kick Philadelphia’s ass on Sunday.”
Mick grinned and they stared at the board for a while. After that, they wandered out to find the others. Mick went back to playing blackjack with Garrett, while Gavin, Eddie, Victor, and Ty hit the poker tables.
Gavin wondered how Liz was doing with the women. Knowing her, she was probably showing them all a great time in Jamaica.
His woman knew how to party. He knew she had it well handled.
Still, she was on his mind, so when he took his next break he grabbed his phone and sent her a text, figuring she likely wouldn’t see it until tomorrow.
I miss you. How’s it going?
Surprisingly, she sent back a reply
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