AJ searched her eyes silently for a little too long. “What’s his name?”

“Alfred” she said without a flinch but placed her hand over his tense one that still cradled her face when she saw the familiar flare-up in his eyes. She understood he was a passionate man, and she’d already been witness to his jealous side, but she needed to get this straight now. “Baby, I have a lot of male co-workers and subordinates. Because my job requires me to be on the phone a lot, you’ll often hear me on the phone with them. I’m just warning you now. I don’t want this to be an issue, moving forward.”

The warning did just the opposite of what she meant for it to do. It seemed to fan the flames because his expression hardened further, though his words said otherwise.

“I’ll never have an issue with you needing to talk business with your male co-workers, as long as that’s all it is.” He paused as if to really drive that last part in, the suspicion in his eyes ever present. “It just didn’t sound that way in the hotel. You sounded nervous, almost anxious.”

“I was,” she admitted. “You were sound asleep, so I was trying to get off the call before I woke you.”

His expression finally eased up, and he glanced down at her lips then even lower to her neck area with a sudden smirk. “You ever wear that to work?”

Addison glanced down at the necklace with her initials. “Sometimes.” She touched it, remembering how embarrassed she’d been when he thought maybe she’d worn it for his sake.

“Do me a favor.” He leaned his forehead against hers in a final show of ease.

“What’s that?”

“Tell them they’re your boyfriend’s initials.”

Addison laughed softly, tilting her head, but glad he was feeling well enough now to be playful.

“What?” He smiled. “Technically, you’re not lying.”

“If it’ll make your eyes twinkle like they are now versus that other fire I saw in them earlier, I will.”

“Good,” he said, kissing her one more time, then got out of her way, slipping his hand into hers as they started back toward the crowded ICU waiting room.

~*~

AJ

The day they’d all sat in the ICU waiting room, chatting while they waited for more updates on Isaiah’s condition, Nathan had mentioned he was done with Kelli. So seeing him arrive tonight arm in arm with her to the ESPY awards was beyond irritating. AJ would have to do his best to not be rude, but he’d barely managed a smile when his eyes met Nathan from across the pre-show cocktail party.

As expected, Isaiah, too, was being a stubborn ass. Thankfully, they’d cleared him of any spinal cord and head injuries. Another thing AJ was thankful for was that Isaiah’s broken leg was keeping him from going back to work. If it wasn’t for that, AJ was sure he’d already be back. Nathan had filled AJ in on how crazy being home all day was making Isaiah. AJ hadn’t even expected him to make the ESPY awards tonight, given how he’d just been in the ICU two weeks ago. His pig-headed brother refused to even use a wheel chair for tonight’s event. Instead, here he was on crutches, wearing a full tux that had to be altered to accommodate the splint on his leg. The guy had even brought a date, and if AJ didn’t know any better, that broken limb would not be stopping Isaiah from any physical activities he and his date might engage in later tonight. The doctors had warned Isaiah to limit any kind of activity and stay off his leg as much as possible.

It was as infuriating as Nathan still being in that ridiculous relationship. The last thing Nathan had told AJ about it was that she was still dealing with her business woes and needed to concentrate on that. But accompanying Nathan to a star-studded evening at the ESPYs she could do?

“They are both grown men,” Addison whispered, squeezing his hand as she brought her champagne flute to her lips. “I know it’s hard for you, but whatever it is you’re thinking, keep it to yourself.”

She took a sip of her champagne and smiled as Nathan and Kelli approached them, still far enough away that AJ was sure they couldn’t hear him.

“You heard him at the hospital. He said he was done with her. What the fuck—?”

“Ah,” Addison said, tugging his hand when Isaiah and his date Lola rejoined them.

“Dude,” AJ turned to Isaiah, who was setting one crutch aside so he could take his drink from Lola but was apparently going to stand there with them on one. “You need to get off that leg.”

“All I do at home is sit on my ass and lie around.”

“It’s what you’re supposed to be doing,” Liv said as she and her husband Lorenzo arrived, followed by Emi and Sydney. “It’s only been two weeks, Sai. You’re still recovering.”

“Thank you,” AJ said as he leaned in to kiss his sister hello. “You look beautiful.”

He said the same to Emi as they did their rounds, saying hello to everyone.

“Yeah, well two weeks is long enough,” Isaiah said. “I’m over it. The minute this thing is off, I’m heading back to work. I hate feeling like an invalid.”

The bitterness in Isaiah’s tone was the same as it’d been every time AJ had spoken to him on the phone in the past two weeks. As much as AJ disapproved of his brother being here on his leg, instead of at home relaxing, AJ had hoped the night out would at least lighten him up a bit. Earlier it’d appeared as if Isaiah were having a good enough time. Suddenly, he was looking as somber as he did at home when he was complaining about being bored as shit. Even his beautiful date didn’t seem to be doing the trick.

“My dad’s calling me over,” Addison leaned into him. “You stay here and hang out with your brothers and sisters. I won’t be long. He just wants me to say hello to his old managers and their wives. I haven’t seen them in years.”

AJ nodded, glancing at Coach Lara, his wife, and the older couples they were mingling with. Addison kissed him softly before walking away. He watched as she strolled over slowly, holding her long gown in front of her. As tall as she was, she could easily be a model. She turned and smiled at him, making the irritation he’d been feeling melt away with just one smile. Damn, she was beautiful.

By the time he brought his attention back to his circle, it’d gotten even bigger. Nathan and Kelli were already there. They’d also been joined by Sabian and his date. AJ said hello to all of them, including Kelli. He had to wonder if she realized how much he disliked her. Her pathetic little smile almost made him feel bad. Almost.

Everyone was glued to Isaiah’s words as he answered Sabian’s questions about the accident. Some of the other guys from the team joined them now too, and they had more questions. AJ figured his tight-lipped answers when he’d gotten back to work after Isaiah was cleared of any life-threatening or even critical injuries hadn’t been enough for the inquisitive bunch. Somehow the fact that it was AJ’s brother who’d been injured had gotten back to the media, so the story had made national headlines, not just the local news. Of course, seeing him here so soon after the accident had everyone surprised and curious. They were gaining quite the crowd.

AJ was done hearing about the accident. Every time he heard the story it only made him angrier—angry that his brothers would see fit to put themselves in such danger when it was so unnecessary. Instead of focusing on Isaiah like everyone else was, he peered at Kelli casually as he sipped his drink.

He was curious what else besides her obvious good looks Nathan could be so hung up on that he’d continue to put up with her wishy-washy ass. She, too, appeared to be completely engrossed in Isaiah’s story. Her brows furrowed when Isaiah got to the part about the roof giving way and the blazing hell hole he’d falling into. Her hand even came over her mouth. AJ, too, felt his jaw clench, hearing this part again. It could’ve been so much worse.