she said under her breath.
“There’s a man out there who can go a few rounds with my
sister and get my niece to smile. When do I meet him?”
“Friday night at the Chamber dinner,” Alan said.
Grumbling, she stood to clear the table and piled the
plates. She spun around and her hip caught the edge of the chair. The plates
tumbled to the floor, shattering. Tiny fragments sprayed around the room. “What
a mess. I’ll get the broom.”
“What’s got your panties in a twist, baby sister?”
“The new athletic director,” Kylie and Alan said in unison.
* * * * *
Jared arrived early to the Chamber dinner to tour the room
before his speech and get a feel for the surroundings. If he were being honest
with himself, he wanted to steal some time with Jocelyn before it got crowded.
The chinks in her armor were showing and he intended to heap on the pressure.
The banquet hall was a class act, Jocelyn’s touch visible in
every detail. Elegant lace-edged white tablecloths covered round tables
scattered around the room. Floral centerpieces of multicolored roses filled the
hall with subtle color and scent.
Satisfied with the setup, he headed to the sixth floor
balcony to review his notes. The balcony was known for its view of the Madison
River and offered an ideal setting to pull his thoughts together before his
speech.
Others had the same idea. A couple leaned over the railing
in the far corner, exchanging whispers, the man’s arm draped over the woman’s
shoulders. Her laughter spiced the night air, its rich, sexy tone familiar.
“Jocelyn?” he asked, green venom exploding through his bloodstream. They turned
to the sound of her name, the man’s arm still resting on her shoulders.
“Hello, Jared, do you need something?” Jocelyn’s shoulders
stiffened and the blond man flinched, his gaze traveling from her anxious face
to Jared’s angry one.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Jared said, his body tensed
for a kill. After all that crap about not doing relationships… Who the fuck was
that guy? How many years would he get for murder?
“No interruption, man. I’m Gideon Wade, Joci’s brother. You
must be the new athletic director.” A grin tugged at his lips.
“Jared Wyatt.” He offered his hand for a shake, his body
relaxing. “I remember your name. Did you box for West Point?”
Recognition glinted in Gideon’s eyes. “And you boxed for the
University of Dallas. You beat me my sophomore year at national championships.
That left cross of yours sent me back to practice. Don’t ask me to thank you, I
hate to lose. How come we never crossed paths again?”
“I bulked up, moved to light heavyweight the year after we
fought.”
“Rumor has it you’re slinging a few rounds with my sister. I
don’t admit this often but she’s the tougher Wade to beat.”
Anger flushed her cheeks cherry red. “When are you heading
back to DC, Gideon? You’re starting to overstay your welcome.”
“Play nice, baby sister. I’m reconnecting with an old
sparring partner.” Gideon squeezed her shoulders and kissed the top of her
head.
“I’ll leave you two alone while I check on the dinner
arrangements. Jared, be down in fifteen minutes to go through sound checks.
Gideon, make sure Dad takes his meds at dinner and stay out of trouble. I don’t
want to have to save your sorry ass like last time.” She stormed off and never
looked back.
“Has she always been this controlling?”
“Yep, always. I wouldn’t change her though. You still spar,
Jared?”
“Not for sport, but to stay in shape.”
“I’m here for two weeks. Feel like getting in the ring
again, give me a second chance to kick your butt back to Texas?”
“My pleasure, but it’s your ass heading east with my
footprint stamped across it.” Jared liked this turn of events and he liked
Gideon Wade, a straight shooter who promised more ammunition to win over his
elusive sister.
* * * * *
“Bloody lemmings.” Jocelyn fumed at the women
“There’s a man out there who can go a few rounds with my
sister and get my niece to smile. When do I meet him?”
“Friday night at the Chamber dinner,” Alan said.
Grumbling, she stood to clear the table and piled the
plates. She spun around and her hip caught the edge of the chair. The plates
tumbled to the floor, shattering. Tiny fragments sprayed around the room. “What
a mess. I’ll get the broom.”
“What’s got your panties in a twist, baby sister?”
“The new athletic director,” Kylie and Alan said in unison.
* * * * *
Jared arrived early to the Chamber dinner to tour the room
before his speech and get a feel for the surroundings. If he were being honest
with himself, he wanted to steal some time with Jocelyn before it got crowded.
The chinks in her armor were showing and he intended to heap on the pressure.
The banquet hall was a class act, Jocelyn’s touch visible in
every detail. Elegant lace-edged white tablecloths covered round tables
scattered around the room. Floral centerpieces of multicolored roses filled the
hall with subtle color and scent.
Satisfied with the setup, he headed to the sixth floor
balcony to review his notes. The balcony was known for its view of the Madison
River and offered an ideal setting to pull his thoughts together before his
speech.
Others had the same idea. A couple leaned over the railing
in the far corner, exchanging whispers, the man’s arm draped over the woman’s
shoulders. Her laughter spiced the night air, its rich, sexy tone familiar.
“Jocelyn?” he asked, green venom exploding through his bloodstream. They turned
to the sound of her name, the man’s arm still resting on her shoulders.
“Hello, Jared, do you need something?” Jocelyn’s shoulders
stiffened and the blond man flinched, his gaze traveling from her anxious face
to Jared’s angry one.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Jared said, his body tensed
for a kill. After all that crap about not doing relationships… Who the fuck was
that guy? How many years would he get for murder?
“No interruption, man. I’m Gideon Wade, Joci’s brother. You
must be the new athletic director.” A grin tugged at his lips.
“Jared Wyatt.” He offered his hand for a shake, his body
relaxing. “I remember your name. Did you box for West Point?”
Recognition glinted in Gideon’s eyes. “And you boxed for the
University of Dallas. You beat me my sophomore year at national championships.
That left cross of yours sent me back to practice. Don’t ask me to thank you, I
hate to lose. How come we never crossed paths again?”
“I bulked up, moved to light heavyweight the year after we
fought.”
“Rumor has it you’re slinging a few rounds with my sister. I
don’t admit this often but she’s the tougher Wade to beat.”
Anger flushed her cheeks cherry red. “When are you heading
back to DC, Gideon? You’re starting to overstay your welcome.”
“Play nice, baby sister. I’m reconnecting with an old
sparring partner.” Gideon squeezed her shoulders and kissed the top of her
head.
“I’ll leave you two alone while I check on the dinner
arrangements. Jared, be down in fifteen minutes to go through sound checks.
Gideon, make sure Dad takes his meds at dinner and stay out of trouble. I don’t
want to have to save your sorry ass like last time.” She stormed off and never
looked back.
“Has she always been this controlling?”
“Yep, always. I wouldn’t change her though. You still spar,
Jared?”
“Not for sport, but to stay in shape.”
“I’m here for two weeks. Feel like getting in the ring
again, give me a second chance to kick your butt back to Texas?”
“My pleasure, but it’s your ass heading east with my
footprint stamped across it.” Jared liked this turn of events and he liked
Gideon Wade, a straight shooter who promised more ammunition to win over his
elusive sister.
* * * * *
“Bloody lemmings.” Jocelyn fumed at the women
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