“I have a sudden flashback to my misspent youth,” Levi Reynolds yelled. “The memory is not a good one.”
“Because you’re old,” Dylan told his best friend with a grin.
“We’re the same age,” Levi reminded him.
“Unlike you, I think young,” Dylan said with a chuckle. His gaze landed on a shapely redhead whose backside filled out her jeans in a very pleasing manner. When he noticed his friend doing the same, he placed his hand over Levi’s eyes. “I promised your wife that I’d bring you home the same way you left—healthy and unsullied.”
“Piper doesn’t mind if I look at other women,” Levi assured him. “The secret is keeping my hands to myself. Which, since I’m a completely devoted husband, isn’t a problem.”
“I see an empty table,” Dylan said.
“Across the room.” Levi nodded. “The crowd is thick. Think you can make a path to the other side?”
Sending Levi his best, are you kidding me look, Dylan squared his shoulders.
“Follow me and watch your throwing arm. If our quarterback gets hurt, any hope of the Knights repeating as Super Bowl champions goes down the crapper.”
Dylan was only half-joking. While football was a team sport, success lived and died on whether the right person received the snap of the ball. He’d suffered through too many dismal seasons with mediocre to flat out bad play-callers. Last season, after years of moldering on the bench, Levi lead Seattle to the top.
As Dylan had always suspected, the air on top was a heady mix of clean and clear. Bringing home the Lombardi trophy consecutive years wasn’t easy. But the Knights had a shot—and a damn good one. He wouldn’t risk their chances by something as foolish as letting his QB sustain an injury while walking across a barroom floor.
Dylan’s confidence that he could keep Levi safe wasn’t an empty boast but a simple statement of the facts. He was one of the premier tight ends in the NFL and was paid a ridiculous amount of money to knock three hundred-pound linebackers on their asses. If he couldn’t move a few average-sized locals out of the way, it was time to hang up his cleats.
“Nice job,” Levi said when they reached their destination without incident and in record time. “I thought for certain someone would take the table before we could stake our claim.”
“In case I didn’t say, I appreciate you coming with me.” Pushing aside an empty beer bottle, Dylan took his seat. “Goes without saying a trip to New Mexico isn’t the way I want to spend any part of my off-season.”
“What are friends for?” Levi asked. He flashed the smile that had graced the cover of at least a dozen magazines in the past few months. “Besides, Piper had to go out of town on business.”
“And you needed a playmate?” Dylan asked.
“I miss my wife,” Levi said with a nod of his dark head.
“Once upon a time, I was all you needed.” Dylan let out an exaggerated sigh. “Knowing I’m second best hurts my heart.”
“We had a good run, son.” Levi slapped Dylan on the back. “Find yourself a good woman. Hell, find yourself a bad woman. I’ll be your wingman.”
“Thanks, but I prefer to fly through life single,” Dylan said. “Why do married people think everyone is dying to follow in their footsteps?”
“Did I say anything about finding you a wife?” Levi shrugged. “Just thought you’d be happier with someone steady instead of hopping from bed partner to bed partner.”
“Want to know the problem with a long-term girlfriend?” Dylan asked with a serious expression.
“She would object if you slept with someone else?” Levi guessed.
“Correct the first time.” With no more to say on the subject, Dylan removed a picture from his pocket and handed the photo to Levi. “Here’s who we’re looking for. Her name is Eve Stewart.”
“You’re certain she’s the one who's looking after your niece?”
“Alleged niece,” Dylan said, determined to find out the truth before welcoming another member to his family.
“Why would Tanner pay out ten thousand dollars if he isn’t certain?” Levi asked.
Dylan sighed. Knowing his brother, the answer was multiple choice. Either the money went where Tanner claimed—to his DNA certified daughter—or…
“You think Tanner pocketed the cash?” Levi shook his head. “Why am I not surprised?”
“I don’t know anything yet.” Dylan wanted to believe in Tanner. Just once. “Hopefully, I’ll know more after I speak to Eve Stewart.”
“She’s cute,” Levi said as he checked out the photo again, memorizing the smiling face. “Wholesome. Very girl next door. Definitely not your type.”
“We aren’t here to find me a date,” Dylan reminded his friend. “We’re looking for the woman who currently has custody of Daisy Juniper Montgomery. My job is to determine whether she keeps the child or not.”
“Eve Stewart must care about the kid,” Levi pointed out. “Why else would a single woman in her twenties take on so much responsibility?”
“Another question to add to the growing list. According to my research, she works here on weekends.” Dylan grimaced when his elbow stuck to the table. “Doesn’t seem she’s very good at her job.”
“Can’t be easy,” Levi said with a sympathetic frown as he watched a waitress pick up an order at the bar.
“What’s not easy?” Dylan asked with a frown as he tried to wipe the goo from his jacket.
“Have you ever bobbed and weaved your way through a crowd in sky-high heels?”
“Have you?” Dylan shot Levi a speculative look. “If the answer is yes, I promise to keep the details just between us.”
“Good to know that I can always count on you to keep a secret.” Levi tapped his wedding ring. “My knowledge comes from my wife. Piper wears stilettoes most days when she goes to the office. When she gets home, her feet hurt. Unlike the waitresses, she spends a lot of time behind a desk.”
Dylan thought about Levi’s observation and imagined his friend was right. Then again, work, by definition, was hard.
“Every job
