Catching Summer Read Free

was around. That was how scary a pregnant woman could be.
    “Great. That’s what I needed to talk to her about. I’m assuming I’ve been approved to help out with the team?”
    Summer was so reserved, I was shocked that she even wanted to help out with the guys. A lot of them were wild—untamed—and most of them didn’t know her life story like I and a few others did. One thing was for sure, they wouldn’t be gentle around her. When Kate had told me she was going to be working with us, I knew I’d have my work cut out for me.
    “As of right now you are. Not unless you get arrested in the next couple of days.”
    She laughed, and it was one of the most beautiful sounds I’d heard in a long time. She didn’t do it often, but when she did it was amazing. I knew everyone wished she’d do it more, especially me.
    “Are you sure you can handle the guys? They can get a little rowdy.”
    Pursing her lips, she crossed her arms over her chest, amusement in her blue gaze. “I think you’re forgetting I own the restaurant you guys frequent. I’ve seen you all drunk. I think I can handle it. Thanks for your concern, though.”
    “Yes, but not all of them are respectful like me.”
    She snorted. “Evan, I spent years around MMA fighters, going to matches and watching them train with Austin. They’re a different breed, but I’m sure they’re about the same as you football players. I may be a little out of practice, but I have a mouth on me when I need it. Where do you think Lara learned it all from?”
    “I have to say I’m intrigued,” I said.
    “Yo, Townsend, hurry up, dude. We don’t got all day.” The door to the gym opened and I looked over Summer’s shoulder at Derek McLaughlin. A sly grin appeared on his face when he noticed me talking to her. He was one of the fiercest linebackers on our team, the Carolina Cougars.
    When she turned to look at him, I flipped him off and glared. He got the picture and smiled at Summer before ducking back into the gym. She laughed and faced me again. “All right, I guess you need to go. I didn’t know you worked out at that gym. I figured you all would have your own equipment in your homes or at the stadium.”
    “Most of us do, but I like the motivation of being around others for a change. The team helps each other out, though. You’ll see what I mean when you work with us.” I stepped around her and started for the door. “Take care, Summer.”
    “Same to you,” she replied softly. As I opened the door to the gym, I watched her walk down the sidewalk and disappear around the corner.
    Derek bumped me in the shoulder. “Really, Townsend? You know you’re not going to land a touchdown with that. You won’t even be able to gain one yard.”
    “That’s not what I’m doing, shitdick,” I snapped, slapping him upside the head. “We’re just friends.”
    Derek raised a red brow and shook his head. “Didn’t look like that to me. I haven’t ever seen her smile at me like that.”
    “Maybe it’s because she knows you’re too far up Brianna’s ass.”
    “And other places, too,” he chided with a wink. I rolled my eyes and went straight to the weight bench. Brianna was one of our team’s cheerleaders and a good friend of my sister’s. She and Derek had been dating for a year. Out of all the cheerleaders, Brianna was the only trustworthy one. She wasn’t like Lindsey, whom I had dated for a few months, at the time thinking that if anyone fucked up it would be me. I was wrong. She cheated on me while we were at an away game with a player from the opposing team and then fucked around with Jax, a guy who was supposed to be my teammate. I wasn’t one to talk shit about women, but she was a worthless bitch.
    “I’m going to need your help to make sure the guys stay away from her,” I said. “She’s going to be with Kate a lot in the next couple of weeks helping out the team. The last thing she needs is one of the guys trying to fuck with her.”
    Lying