Making the Play by T. J. Kline Read Free Book Online

tension he could feel mounting between him and Bethany.
    â€œYou’re right, she’s not.” Grant frowned and pretended to be thinking about the dilemma before leaning closer to James and lowering his voice. “I think we can let her come this time. We’ll just pretend she’s a guy, okay?”
    James’ lips pursed as he thought about it. “But she’s a mom,” he insisted. “That means she’s a girl so we can’t have a guy’s night.”
    Bethany crossed her arms and cocked her head at Grant as if to say now what?
    Bethany wasn’t kidding. James was smart but he was still a six-­year-­old. As an idea took hold, Grant smiled back at her.
    â€œI guess I’m just going to have to take both of you out on a date then.”
    â€œWhat’s a date?” James asked, curious about what must be a new concept.
    â€œIt’s not a date.” Bethany shot daggers his direction. “Mr. McQuaid, I’m afraid—­”
    James tugged at her skirt. His fingers moved quickly. I’m hungry, Mom. Let’s have pizza. Please.
    Grant knew the instant she decided to give in. Her face lost the frown as she looked into the angelic face of her son, her eyes tender and soft. Adoration was written there clearly. She would rather give in to her son, in spite of her trepidation, than disappoint him.
    She sighed and signed back, Fine .
    Grant couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous of Bethany’s relationship with her son. She loved him and he adored her. There was no mistaking it. They might not be the perfect family, but they were a family nonetheless.
    Grant longed to have a family of his own. Instead, he had football. Until now, he’d never longed for anything else more. Until today, he’d never resented his career choice.

 
    Chapter Four
    G RANT PULLED INTO the half-­full parking lot at Dino’s, wondering again if he shouldn’t just head home. Even he knew this went above and beyond the typical fan experience. But this was no longer about James’ being a fan. He couldn’t even convince himself this was just about James anymore. He liked the kid, had fun with him at the park today, and he liked Bethany. Somewhere between playing ball and his conversation with Bethany on the grass, he’d begun to wonder what it would be like to have more in his life.
    As he climbed out of his car, he looked around for any sign that Bethany and James might already be here waiting for him. She’d insisted on taking her own car, making it painfully obvious that she didn’t want to be here with him, even though he’d been nice, polite, even gentlemanly.
    Maybe you’re not her type , he thought. Maybe she’s already got a boyfriend.
    Grant felt a swirl of guilt center in his stomach. What if she did?
    The more he thought about it, the more it seemed likely. Her discomfort, the way she tried to keep her distance, it would all make sense if she was already taken. A woman as pretty as she was wasn’t likely to be single. But she’d repeatedly made it clear she didn’t date.
    Seeing Bethany’s sedan, he slid his Camaro over the center line of two parking spots beside it. He wasn’t taking any chances with his baby. The ’69 candy-­apple red Camaro had been his first big purchase after he’d been drafted and he still loved this car. It might be cliché but there was something about a man and his muscle car that just couldn’t be denied—­it felt great to have that kind of power in his hands and adrenaline rushing through his veins when he opened her up on a stretch of highway.
    When he didn’t immediately see Bethany or James waiting for him, he made his way to the front door, glancing at his watch. He’d been caught at the stoplight but they couldn’t have arrived more than a few minutes ahead of him. The bells over the door jingled loudly but no one even looked up as he