The Good Groom Read online

  “Sky?”

  Jerking back to the present, she tried to focus. “You know I’m not taking on patients at the moment. And I don’t take on football players.”

  “Yes, I know, darling. We talked about you building those houses last week.” Jon smiled again. “I think it might be time for you to help someone in a professional way, to help you get back in the business you belong in.”

  Anger coursed through her, but she stayed steady. “I told you I’m moving back to Puerto Rico just as soon as I can.”

  “You might get your wish if you take this job, because I was thinking I might give you the rights to your trust if you can prove yourself.”

  She glared at him. Jon Kincaid was always up to something, and she didn’t like being one of his pawns. “What’s this about?”

  He flashed an innocent look. “Why, it’s about doing what you want to do—help people.” He gestured to Dax. “Helping a man who currently needs some therapy.”

  She didn’t look at the man by the door. She just crossed her arms, still trying to pinpoint Jon’s motive for calling her in.

  “I’ll give you ownership of the trust.” Jon must have seen the disbelief on her face, because he added, “Don’t you want to help all those people you talked about last week?” He chuckled and waved his hand dismissively in the air. “The people who need homes rebuilt and all that.”

  “You know I do.”

  “And we both know your daddy wanted me to be the steward over this trust until he thought you were ready.”

  Her father hadn’t trusted her. She was almost twenty-eight now. Why hadn’t he allowed her to have access to the trust?

  “Take this job, and you can have it all.” Jon cocked an eyebrow in challenge. “Heck, you can give it all to that charity if you want. I’ll make a formal release that I feel you are responsible enough to have it.”

  Her pulse kicked up a notch. There was roughly three million in that account, an inheritance her father had scrimped away for her while working for the oil tycoon. Unfortunately, when her father had passed, he’d put said oil tycoon in charge of it. “You’ll sign it all over?”

  Jon gestured to the guy standing next to the door. “Dax Brady needs therapy. If you help him, you get the money.”

  “This is insane,” said the guy—Dax, she assumed.

  She sized him up, vaguely recognizing him. She hadn’t watched football this past season, but she knew he was a backup quarterback for the Titans. “What’s wrong with him?”

  Kade grunted. “Did you see him choke in the championship game? A game I got us to and he lost for us.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Dax called out, his hand clutching into a fist and staring at Kade like he wanted to rearrange his face.

  Sky stared at Kade, just noticing the crutches. “What happened to you? Why weren’t you in the championship game?”

  Kade rubbed his head. “I’m out, pixie girl. The knee.” He sighed. “Doc had to rebuild it, and it will never be the same.”

  Her heart ached at the news. She had seen him work so hard for so many years, and he was like a brother to her. Unable to stop herself, she walked to his side and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

  He covered it with his own and winked at her. “Thanks. We’ve missed you and that million-dollar punch.”

  She almost laughed, remembering how he and Anthony had always taunted her into slugging them. As children, they’d even asked her to hit each of them in the gut to see who could take it.

  Sky tugged her hand back, thinking of the reasons she’d left Texas and practicing as a psychologist. She didn’t want to be here. She needed to be in Puerto Rico, doing what she’d been doing for the last nine months.

  “What do you say, kid?” Jon asked. “You willing to take him on? Try to fix him?”

  Dax heaved out a loud sigh. “This is ridiculous.” He turned, yanked one of the doors open, and walked out. “Forget this.”

  “See you at the auction tomorrow night!” Jon yelled at Dax’s retreating back. With a sigh, Jon closed the doors after him. “He’s just not thinking right. He’ll be there tomorrow night.”

  “Explain,” she said. As much as she wanted to leave, she was stuck on the prospect of getting access to her money.

  Jon took off his ten-gallon hat. “This is a Hail Mary like you’ve never seen before.”

  She knew what a Hail Mary was in football speak—it was a last attempt to throw the ball down the field and get a touchdown. Usually, it didn’t work, but if it did, you knew it was a miracle from God. At least, that’s what her dad had always told her. She looked down and noticed she was playing with the locket her father had given her as a little girl. It had belonged to her mother, and she always wore it.

  “I know you miss him,” Jon said lightly. His eyes were on the locket. “We all do.”

  Kade let out a long breath and picked up his crutches, standing. “We need to focus, Dad. Dax clearly doesn’t want to be helped.”

  She studied Kade again and noticed he looked worn out. “Are you okay?”

  For a brief moment, Kade’s defenses went up, but then he let a slow smile play at his lips. “Better now that I’ve seen you. We really have missed you.”

  His sincerity touched her. “Thanks.”

  “We’ve all missed you, Sky.” Jon moved to the window. “You were the miracle worker who helped Anthony. I thought you might be able to help Dax too.”

  Sky remembered Anthony—the other Kincaid quarterback. She’d worked with him for nearly a year after his accident. Right now, he was down in Houston playing for the Sentinels. “How’s he doing?”

  Jon turned to her, smiling. “Good. Very good.”

  To her surprise, Kade’s face widened with … could it be pride? “He did come back from a lot.”

  Jon let out a sigh and moved to her side. “Pixie girl, I really think you’re the one for this.”

  She frowned. “No one calls me pixie girl anymore.” Jon and her father had called her that, giving her little pixies because she’d declared they were her favorite flower when she was five.

  “Well, we’re not nobody—we’re family.”

  Sky disagreed, but she didn’t want to argue the point. Since her father had passed, she didn’t feel like she had family.

  He moved behind his desk and sat, putting his hands down on the dark wood. “Listen. Dax has a twin brother and three younger brothers. His daddy passed two years ago from cancer.”

  A jolt of sympathy coursed through her.

  Jon let that sink in. “His youngest brother has ALS. He was diagnosed at Christmas, and it’s been a media blitz for Dax. There’s a lot going on in that head of his. I know he was engaged last year, but he called it off.” He steepled his fingers. “He needs help, darling.”

  Kade cursed and got up, limping over to his father. “I don’t trust the guy. But he was right. All season, I was so focused on winning that I wasn’t mentoring and training Dax. But …” He smiled softly at her. “I do think Dax Brady has got what it takes to be the best in the country if he can keep himself together.”

  Sky threw up her hands, thrown off by the whiplash. “In case you didn’t notice, he just walked out.”

  Jon clapped his hands together. “Nah, he’s fine. He was just letting his temper get the best of him.” He pointed at her. “Another thing you could help him with.”

  “If you didn’t notice, I haven’t been in a position to take on clients. I’m not going to lie to you: I want access to the trust, but I don’t know if I can do it.”

  Jon flicked his hand through the air, dismissing her objections. “You’ll rise to this occasion, pixie girl. I know you. I’m only asking for a week of your time.”

  “One week and you’ll release all of my father’s estate to me?” She scowled and wagged a finger at him. “I know you’ll want results. How will you tell if I helped him?”

  With a slow smile, Jon said, “I’m going to trust you. You take him and give him
some therapy for the week. Kade can be the witness. If you tell me you have done your best, I’ll sign over the trust—lock, stock, and barrel.”

  Sky sighed. She was supposed to be going back to Puerto Rico, but if this could give her access to her money, it would totally be worth it.

  When she looked at Kade, he tilted his head to the side. “Dad always keeps his word.”

  Pushing a hand through her hair, she nodded. “Okay, fine, one week. Where do we start?”

  “The first thing I want you to do is buy him at the bachelor auction.”

  She frowned. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Give Dax Brady a chance. You might like him more than you think.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Jon put his hands up. “Nothing. This is a business deal.” He winked at her. “That’s all.”

  She grunted. “I promise you that’s all this will ever be.”

  Chapter 3

  Dax sat at the stupid bachelor auction, trying not to think about the threat in Jon Kincaid’s message. If he didn’t show up to it, he really would be traded. Obviously, he’d caved and come to the stupid thing.

  He told himself he was only doing this to avoid more media coverage of the Brady family. That was the last thing his brothers or mom needed—him to worry about. So he’d shown up, and he’d put on the smile that told the world he was a fighter. He was Rocky against the Russian, and he would make a comeback.

  “Dude, come back to us,” said Ryder Quinn, picking at the salad and prime rib.

  “Yeah, forget the loss. We’re already moving on. Plus, we have to have game face for the ladies tonight,” said Chase O’Brien, running back for the Titans.

  “I’m fine.” Dax scowled at them.

  Maxwell Moore, an offensive lineman, scoffed. “Don’t be down because all of the ladies want me, Dax. Just focus on the fact you get to sit by me.” He winked at him.

  Brad Degrand, defensive end, turned to Dax. “I think it’s getting deep in here.”

  Dax shook his head, unable to stop a smile from playing at his lips. He liked the guys on his team. They’d become good friends.

  His mind flashed to Ty. They’d chatted briefly over the phone this morning. Ty had told him that he wasn’t even sure he would go to the Masquerade Ball, because he hated being a pity case. Dax had told him that nothing could be further from the truth.

  “Gotta go.” Ryder suddenly bolted from the table.

  “What are you doing? You gotta be bought,” Irish said.

  Ryder called over his shoulder, “Tell Mr. Knight I’ll match the highest bid on me.”

  “Do what you gotta do!” Dax waved him off.

  “Guess everyone’s a bit broody, aren’t they?” Brad shrugged.

  Dax snorted. He focused on Scarlett Lily, tonight’s MC, and watched a couple of the players be auctioned off. The audience was raucous. He could tell everyone was feeling good about the fun. Unfortunately, he didn’t share the sentiment.

  When it was his turn and he was taken to the stage, he plastered on the tough-guy face and did the required spin, listening to the catcalls from his friends.

  The bidding took off. Dax was surprised to see it get clear up to five hundred thousand.

  “Ladies and gentleman,” Scarlett Lily said, “this is the highest bid we’ve ever had. Please help me congratulate the winner, Ms. Sky Brooks, as she joins us on stage!”

  When their eyes met, he realized it was the petite, spunky redhead from Jon Kincaid’s office. She wasn’t ticked off now, though. She was smiling and wearing a killer blue off-the-shoulder sequined dress. Her red hair was now in an elegant French twist with tendrils coming down.

  She pranced to the front of the stage, took his hand, and lifted it into the air dramatically, snatching the microphone from the MC. “The future winning quarterback of the Titans, Dax Brady!”

  The room erupted in applause, and his players yelled, “Go, Titans!”

  Adrenaline spiked through him. He’d just lost the game for them. What was she doing? He ignored the spark he’d felt when she’d taken his hand. He hadn’t really dated since Sarah had cheated on him, and this woman had everything to do with Jon Kincaid and some therapy nonsense.

  His heart raced as they walked off the side of the stage. He quickly tugged her into him, his mouth close to her ear. “I don’t know what the old man has on you, but this façade was over before it started. Plus, you remember how I just lost the championship for them, right?” He nodded to the attendees. “Why would you say that to the crowd?”

  Narrowing her eyes, she slowly reached up and tapped the side of his head.

  He yanked back. “What are you doing?”

  “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t.”

  Was she trying to give him some positive thinking psychobabble? “Wow, thanks. What do I owe you for that pep talk? Five hundred thousand dollars?”

  She cocked an eyebrow and leaned into him. “Listen up. I don’t really care what emotional mess you’re in right now. I’m going to fix you, and by the time I’m through, you’re going to be certain that nothing can touch you mentally, and you’re going to be ready to take the Titans to a win. Got it?”

  This girl was fierce, obviously a fighter. Clearly, she’d been through her own bout of stuff if she had Jon Kincaid all up in her grill too. He frowned. “You think you can help me?”

  She shrugged. “I can for three million dollars.”

  He’d heard her mention her father’s trust. He snorted. “So that’s it. You want the money, and you have to ‘save’ me to get it,” he said, making air quotes.

  For a moment, neither of them spoke. In the background, another player was called up to be auctioned off.

  Finally, she spoke in a low voice. “I want to save people’s homes, give them power. But it appears I have to deal with you first.”

  He had heard them talking about building homes, but he hadn’t understood at the time.

  Her gaze locked with his. She had the greenest eyes he’d ever seen. Forest green. They reminded him of the pine trees he’d seen the last time he’d gone skiing with his brothers in Breckenridge, a town close to Denver.

  His defenses came down for a minute, and he decided to tell her the truth. “You shouldn’t let everything ride on me, because I don’t think there’s anyone who can help me.”

  Her expression softened. “Since we met yesterday, I’ve done some research on you. I want you to know I’m sorry about your brother.”

  Dang it. He looked away, wishing he didn’t have to see the pity in her eyes. “Look, I wish you hadn’t bought this date, because it might be a while before we can do it. I have a fishing trip I’m going on.”

  “Sorry, I don’t think your fishing trip is an option right now.” She gestured to the front of the venue. “Mr. Kincaid is out in his limo. I’m supposed to ask you to go have a chat with him.”

  Was Mr. Kincaid really serious about forcing him to spend time with this woman for the next week? Dax let out a low rumble of a laugh. “Oh, so today you’re the one doing the summoning?” She’d been so mad about that yesterday.

  A look of remorse washed over her face. “It appears so.” She shook her head, uncertain. “Go. The King is waiting.”

  He grunted. “Fine.”

  When Dax got inside the limo, he was confused and more than a little ticked off. “What is this?” he asked as he slammed the door.

  Mr. Kincaid gave him a sly smile. “You brought in the most money for the foundation, Dax. You should be happy.”

  Dax thought about the fact that Mr. Kincaid was the one who had bought him. “Awesome!” he said sarcastically.

  Mr. Kincaid leaned forward. “Willie, head to Mr. Brady’s house.”

  The driver nodded, and the privacy glass rose. The car rolled into motion.

  Dax wanted to open the door and jump out. “Do I get to know what plan you have for me?”

  Mr. Kincaid lifted a cigar to
his mouth. “I know these things aren’t good for you. Kade and Anthony get on me like nothing else about smoking them, but I can’t stop.” He struck a match and lit the end.

  Dax wanted to complain that he didn’t want them smoked in his presence either, but he refrained. “Tell me what is going on.”

  Mr. Kincaid let out a long breath and puffed out the smoke. “Did you know Sky’s father worked for me for nearly forty years?”

  Dax thought of the intense, beautiful redhead. “How would I know that?”

  “Right, of course you wouldn’t. He was sick for a couple of years. He wasn’t able to attend games with me toward the end. He was a loyal assistant to me, and more than that, he was my friend.” Mr. Kincaid took another puff of the cigar and blew out the smoke. “You can’t find that kind of loyalty these days.”

  Dax listened, but he couldn’t really focus. “What does this have to do with me?”

  Mr. Kincaid peered out the window. The limo was getting on the interstate and heading toward Dallas. “Sky is family to me. I’ve known her since she was three and she was holding these tiny pixies in her hand.” Mr. Kincaid smiled at Dax as if he would appreciate the detail.

  Dax stared at him blankly.

  Mr. Kincaid waved a hand in dismissal and took another drag on the cigar. “Her father died a slow death of cancer, like my Ellen.”

  Dax knew that Mr. Kincaid had lost his wife to cancer; losing his friend to the same thing would have been hard. Losing a single loved one was hard enough. Part of the reason he’d wanted to come to the Titans was because Mr. Kincaid had reached out to him in college.

  “I promised her dad I would care for her.” Mr. Kincaid let out a light laugh. “Much to Sky’s dismay, that included being in charge of her trust, all three million dollars of it.”

  Dax didn’t want to get caught up in all of this. “I don’t understand how she’s supposed to give me therapy. What does that even mean?”

  Mr. Kincaid paused. “By my estimation, you have a decision to make.”