Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) Read Free Page A

for a favor.”
    Seth’s eyes darted from his dad’s to T.K’s. It was hard reading the unflappable poker faces of these business titans. T.K. Holbrook didn’t ask for favors. “OK. What is it?”
    “Riley Sloane.”
    Riley Sloane. The Tomcats’ new quarterback and all-around egregious ass and big mouth. He’d been touted as the savior of the Tomcats and he knew it. Seth had seen one of Riley’s wild and loose interviews where Riley had trashed him and said he’d retired on top because he was afraid the new blood in the league would usurp his throne. He then made a bold prediction that he’d break all of Seth’s football records within two years. Whatever it was T.K. was selling, Seth didn’t want any part of it.
    “What about that pompous jackass?”
    John Jacob let out a snort.
    “Yes. Despite how he sounds when he opens his mouth, he’s a brilliant player. There are some rough edges that need to be smoothed.”
    “Rough?” Seth balked, poured himself a drink, and slammed it back. “That kid has eagle talons and he’s not afraid to use them, no matter who he pisses off.”
    “OK. He’s a little arrogant and likes the ladies. Who doesn’t? He’s a good-looking young man who isn’t used to the limelight. I knew when we signed him he’d be a challenge, but he needs the benefit of guidance from someone like you.”
    “T.K., I know you have people for this. You tell me a team of image makers can’t control him?”
    “He doesn’t listen to a word they say, and I don’t have time to babysit him. I can hardly keep up with my wife.” His jaw ticked.
    “And what makes you think he’ll listen to me?”
    “Because he’d be an idiot not to listen to the best quarterback there ever was in the game.”
    Seth smiled. “Not the best. But in the top five.”
    “See, right there is the reason he would benefit from a sit down with you. The boy has no humility.”
    “He could use a class in character building. When he wins he’s charismatic and on top of the world. When he loses he walks off the field without shaking the other quarterback’s hand after a game.”
    “Exactly.”
    “I’m not the man for this. Your superstar trash-talked me in that interview with Sports Live. I have a thick skin, but I’m not that forgiving.”
    “I was hoping you hadn’t seen that one.” T.K. scratched at his temple. “If it makes you feel any better, I talked to him about that interview. I told him you were a close personal friend and he was out of line.”
    “T.K., I feel for your situation, but I don’t need the headache. And Riley Sloane is a walking migraine.”
    “Listen.” T.K. stood. “Can you just think it over? Take as much time as you like, but I guarantee that even five minutes with you and he’ll be a better man for it.”
    “Son, it couldn’t hurt to mull it over,” John Jacob said.
    Seth locked eyes with his dad. The subtle nod he’d given Seth meant he wanted him to at least consider it. “OK. I’ll think about it.”
    Seth walked his father and T.K. out. He went into the kitchen and pulled out the food he needed to cook, still trying to figure out what had just happened. He got the feeling his dad and T.K. had been talking about more than his post-football hijinks. Just the other day Seth was cleaning out one of the stalls when his father came in and asked how things were going. This wasn’t unusual; they talked all the time. But it was something about his tone. He did that gentle probing thing he used to do when Seth was younger and he had something weighing on his mind. Only his dad couldn’t know Seth would have anything weighing on his mind. Or so he’d thought.
    He was happy with his life. He adored being front and center for Mackenzie’s early years, something he’d felt guilty about with the boys. He loved the kids equally but there was no denying that there was a special bond with his daughter. Maybe it had something to do with helping Morgan deliver her in the stables. Or