Brainy and the Beast by J. M. Cartwright Read Free Book Online

The Niles player drew a leg back for a big kick, and I froze, watching as the soccer ball shot like a bullet toward Grant. God. Let him catch it. Let him catch it.
    On the periphery I could hear parents and kids alike shouting encouragement to Grant. My vocal cords were locked for some dumb-ass reason, and all I could do was watch as the ball flew past—no! “He caught it! He caught it!” I started jumping up and down, yelling like an idiot. “Way to go, Shelton!”
    Mobbed by his teammates, Grant probably didn’t even hear me. I was happy to see him acting like a regular kid, with plenty of high fives and chest bumps all around. Although I did catch the bashful look he sent my way when the rest of the team took off after the Niles team kicked it back in.
    I enjoyed the rest of the game, even without understanding the positions and plays. It was so different from football; I couldn’t get my head around it. But if Grant really liked soccer, seemed like I was going to have to start boning up on it.
    After the last whistle blew and the Lake Forest Scouts had won, Grant trotted over to where Henry and I were standing. I’d been surprised by the doc and his interest in staying to watch the game. We’d talked about his car some, and he’d politely applauded when Lake Forest made a good play. He’d actually had to explain some of the strategy to me, and he’d told me when Grant’s team did something smart. Figures he’d know how the game was played.
    Panting a little, Grant looked Henry up and down, then turned to me with a frown.
    “Is this your boyfriend?”

Chapter Five
    Christ.
    My eyes darted between Henry and Grant, and I tried not to hunch my shoulders. “What the hell are you talking about?” I settled on glaring at my sister’s brat.
    Suzie snapped her fingers, distracting me for a second. “Now I remember where I saw you!” She moved in front of Henry. “You were on the cover of Out magazine last month. You’re the scientist guy.”
    Whoa . I pulled my head back a little in surprise. Trying to divide my attention between my snot-nosed nephew and the now frozen Henry, who stayed hidden behind his sunglasses, I wasn’t sure whether to step in that or stay the hell out.
    “Oh, I’m not gay or anything,” Suzy assured us. She rolled her eyes. “My brother subscribes. He’s the one.” She waved an arm toward one of the straggling Lake Forest players. “Benjamin! Let’s go!” Snapping her soccer chair closed, she gave me a look as she jerked her head in Henry’s direction. “Lucky you. The magazine said he’s one of Chicago’s most eligible bachelors.” She had what I’d call a smirk on her face as she began strolling to the parking lot.
    What the fuck? I started growling under my breath. I just wanted to get laid. I didn’t want to advertise to my nephew what I was doing or who I was hoping to do it with, and I really didn’t need some bimbo soccer mom babbling about me being lucky.
    Henry cleared his throat beside me, and I rolled my lips over my teeth, trying to figure out what to say.
    “So, is he?” That was the impudent pup again.
    I narrowed my eyes. “What are you talking about? Why are you asking me that?” I’d never once mentioned my sex life to Grant. In fact, I hadn’t really had one in a while, what with being at the shop all day and making sure Grant did his homework at night.
    “Gramps told me you’re like—uh, you know. You like guys.”
    I was going to kill my father. I could see Henry cross his arms over his chest, the tweed jacket straining a bit at the shoulders. I couldn’t read his expression behind the dark lenses, but if he was pissed, he’d have said something, right?
    “When did he say that?” Why was I even discussing this?
    Grant stubbed the toe of one spike into the grass. “I don’t know. A while ago.”
    Henry finally spoke. “Do you need a ride back to your garage, Nicholas?” His voice was a tad cooler, but I could still hear a little