Changing Lanes (The Lone Stars Book 3) (7 page)

“Whine, whine, whine. I’ve raised a team of whiners.” Charisma was extra cheerful and annoying.

“As soon as the lactic acid is flushed out of my muscles and I can move them again, I’m coming for you.” Laney wagged her index finger at Charisma. “It may be tomorrow or the next day or possibly sometime next week, but you’re going down.”

Charisma laced her fingers together and cracked her knuckles. “Bring it.”

“So cocky.” January laughed. “I’d shake my head, but again, can’t muster the energy.”

Slowly, Nina straightened. “The hike back to the parking lot is going to be painful.”

“Again with the whining.” Charisma threw her hands up. “Would it help to know that I have another dozen donuts waiting in the car?”

January perked up. “You’re a good person. I’m always saying that.”

“I want some protein.” Laney stretched her back. “Anyone up for breakfast?”

She checked her watch. “I have two hours before I need to be at the hospital.”

“I could use some real food.” Nina made her way to the parking lot.

“Not me.” January followed her. “I’m in it for the donuts.”

Laney caught up to Nina. “Magnolia Café, Kerbey Lane, or Maudies?”

Charisma jogged by showing off that she could go a hundred more miles before she dropped. “Magnolia.”

“I could do with some gingerbread pancakes.” January shrugged. “You know… after the donuts.”

“A little protein once in a while won’t kill you.” Laney hooked an arm around January’s shoulder. “You know, Fruit Loops and Pop Tarts aren’t real food. Only children eat them. Adulthood is waiting, why don’t you eat an omelet and try it out?”

“Never.” January’s mouth twisted in horror. “If you start eating grown up food then people start treating you like a grown up. First you give up the Pop Tarts and then before you know it, you’re working a dead–end job, driving a ten–year–old Ford Taurus, and clipping coupons so you can put more money away for retirement. No thank you. I plan on being young forever.”

“Seriously, type two diabetes is a concern. I want you to live forever, that’s why I’m harping.” Laney smiled. “I need you around so that you can comment on how great my butt looks as I race past you.”

“Bite me.” January snorted. “I’m bloated. It makes me lethargic.”

She glanced down at Laney’s butt and then smacked it. “Nice ass.”

Nina stopped short. “Lanes, I just realized that you haven’t spouted one statistic today. Are you feeling okay?”

“Never better.” Laney shrugged. It was odd that nothing statistical had come to mind, then again, she’d gotten home late and had fallen into bed without her normal medical research reading that she did to fall asleep.

“I, for one, am very …” Nina shaded her eyes with her left hand. “What the hell?”

Laney followed her line of sight. In the middle of the parking lot, there was a large round table set with white linen, china, and a huge bowl of fruit. There was a long rectangular table where a chef complete with white coat and hat, stood behind a one–burner stove, making omelets. He tossed one up in the air and caught it in the pan.

“Maybe it’s a wedding or something.” Laney glanced around looking for the bride and groom, but didn’t see anyone. “I’m pretty sure they won’t want us in their wedding pictures.”

“It’s your football player.” Charisma turned around to face Laney.

Devon, dressed in workout shorts and a T–shirt, waved from the driver’s side of a black sports car. He opened the door and hopped out. “You said you’d have breakfast with me.”

Laney’s heart did a little flip–flop. It was just arterial flutter caused by the exercise and adrenaline, but damn it she wanted it to be because he’d done something nice for her. Now her wide smile … that was all happiness. “I could do with a little breakfast.”

Chapter 5

Devon smiled to himself. Last night, he’d told Laney that he wanted to buy her breakfast, and she’d thought it was a line.

“I thought you were kidding about breakfast.” Laney shook her head. “Thanks.”

“Why don’t you introduce me to your friends.” He pointed to the three women currently staring at him. “I’m pretty sure coach introduced them to the team, but I was too busy staring at you to remember their names.

Laney waved them over. “This is Nina.”

She pointed a short dark–haired woman.

“This is January.” It was the blonde surfer girl. “And last, but not least, this is Charisma.”

Laney nodded to the tiny blonde with the purple highlights.

“My teammates.” Laney shrugged. “And partners in crime.”

His teammates were also his partners in crime. He’d wager that these women could get into some serious trouble.

“Nice to meet you ladies.” He winked. “I’m trying to impress Laney so any tips would be helpful.”

“That’s so sweet.” Nina cooed. “He couldn’t make you breakfast in bed so he brought some guy to make it for you.”

“Are those pancakes?” January was clearly all about the food.

Laney’s hand went up to smooth down her sweat drenched hair, but she must have deduced that nothing short of a shower would fix it, so she dropped her hand. She was beautiful and he was dying to get his hands on her.

Devon walked right up to her and kissed her on the mouth. Sweat and muck be damned. He liked the way she looked … always. And she smelled fantastic.

“I know this is gross, but you smell fantastic.” Devon whispered close to her ear. He took a deep breath and his eyes practically rolled back in his head, “Crazy good.”

Laney thought about it for a second. “
Psychology Today
did some interesting research proving that men like the way women smell when we sweat. It suggests that testosterone levels in men increase when they smell the sweat of an ov—”

“Excuse Lanes. She suffers from having a huge brain that leaks facts like a colander.” Nina put her arm around Laney and stage whispered, “no random facts.”

He loved the random facts. Trying to figure out how her brain worked kept him on his toes.

“It’s okay. I like it.” Devon nodded. Would he always be stupid happy just being around her, or would it fade after a while? “I read the same study. Men’s testosterone levels rise anywhere from fifteen to thirty–seven percent. There is also a documentary done by
The Discovery Channel
called
The Science of Sex
that shows basically the same thing.”

“Holy crap, he speaks Laney.” Nina glanced at January. “There are two of them in the world.”

“That’s interesting. I’ll have to look out for that documentary. It’s on
The Discovery Channel
?” Laney nodded.

“I DVR’d it. We could watch it after dinner tonight?” Devon rocked back on his heels and grinned hopefully. Being a little nervous, he wasn’t as smooth as normal.

“I suppose I could.” Laney reached behind her to the zippered pocket and felt around. “I guess I left my phone in the car. I think I’m on call tonight so I might have to go into the hospital.”

“As it happens, I’m also on call. If there’s football emergency I’ll have to head to the stadium.” He may not be able to pull off smooth, but he could do witty. “I’m very important.”

“I can see that and humble too.” Laney nodded.

“Only thirty–seven percent of NFL football players consider themselves humble.” Devon took her hand. “I like being in the minority.”

“You made that up.” Laney allowed herself to be lead to the large round table.

“Maybe, but it will give you something to look up later.” He had made it up, but if she liked stats then he would give her stats.

“Did y’all just see that?” Nina called after them. “Someone just out stat–ed Lanes. I never thought that would happen.”

January walked up to them. “So the trick is to make up some stuff, and then have her check it later.” With her index finger, she patted her temple. “Got it.”

“It could be true … then again, it might not be.” Devon hunched his shoulders. “Fun of the game.”

“So, are we invited to this little breakfast soiree?” January grabbed a banana off the fruit basket in the center of the table. “Because I’m taking the banana.”

Her tone suggested that if he crossed her, he’d end up buried in a shallow grave.

“Of course.” He turned to the broad shouldered man in the chef’s hat. “This is Mike from Kerby Lane. He’s here to make whatever you want. The entertainment should be here soon.”

Seth Charming had some serious humiliation coming. After last night, it was a miracle that Devon had let him live.

“Entertainment?” Laney stepped back weary.

He patted her arm. “No, it’s okay. The rookie who convinced me that last night’s provocative dinner theater was a good idea has graciously offered to do his own interpretive dance for us. He’ll be wearing a grass skirt and a coconut bra.” He leaned down and whispered. “He assured me that his clothes will be on the whole time and that no food will be thrown.”

“Too bad.” She smiled up at him. “I really like Parmesan cheese.”

How could he not smile? She was so damn good for him.

He pulled the chair out for her and then seated her teammates. Manners were important. If his mother had taught him anything, it was that.

“So ladies, what will it be?” He glanced at Laney as he pulled a small notebook out of the waistband of his shorts and a pencil from behind his ear. He hadn’t been able to find a server on this short notice, and the only reason he’d secured Mike was that he promised a huge tip and tickets on the fifty for the next three home games.

“I’ll take some gingerbread pancakes, an omelet with ham, bacon, sausage, and whatever veggies you have, some biscuits and gravy, and a side of bacon.” Laney grinned sheepishly. “You should know, I like to eat.”

Thank God. He would have thrown his hands heavenward and genuflected, but he was all about convincing Laney that he was sane. Back at camp, she’d been able to put away seventeen waffles. It had been pretty amazing to watch.

“You’re in for a treat.” January peeled her pilfered banana. “Lanes can eat … a lot. Like more than two grown men. Don’t get me wrong, I can put away some food, but she’s a champion.”

“And never gains an ounce.” Nina helped herself to an apple from the bowl. “She’s one of the few people who was able to finish the ten pound steak at the Lone Star Tavern—”

“Hey, if I finished it, I didn’t have to pay for it.” Laney crossed her legs at the ankle and relaxed back in her chair. “In medical school, money was tight so I’d eat anywhere they offered free food. If I had to eat ten pounds of meat to get it for free that was even better.”

Hadn’t her parents helped with college? He guessed not because she’d mentioned being a massage therapist last night to pay for college. He liked that about her. She earned her own way. Independence was sexy. And she smelled so damn good. Would it be too obvious if he leaned over and sucked in a deep drag?

“My momma’s going to love you.” Devon nodded as he wrote down her order. “Once she ate six barbecue chickens on a dare.”

January smacked her lips. “Yum … that sounds good.”

“My little gluttons, don’t forget we’re swimming tomorrow morning. I don’t want you all to sink. Let’s keep it under five billion calories today.” Charisma, their coach if he remembered correctly used the same tone Grace used when talking to her children.

Devon took everyone’s order, gave it to the chef, returned to the table, and sat down next to Laney. “So what are you doing tomorrow night? I thought I’d go ahead and ask.”

“She’s going out with us.” Charisma poured herself a glass of orange juice from the pitcher on the table. “It’s her birthday.”

Her birthday? Why hadn’t she said something? That sucked. Now he felt left out. Maybe he’d get next year.

“Birthday, why didn’t you tell me?” Devon tried not to sound pitiful.

“I’ve known you for all of forty–eight hours. It didn’t come up.” The look on her face suggested that it had never occurred to her to mention it.

It shouldn’t have hurt, but it did. He should go ahead and tell her that he was DJ, but he still wanted her to remember on her own. It was important, he didn’t fully understand why, but it was. At least, last night she’d talked about DJ as fondly as he’d remembered her.

“Then how about the night after tomorrow?” It was a consolation prize and there were no two ways about it.

“I really need to check my calendar. I feel like I have a function.” She stood. “Let me get my phone.”

Devon would have pulled the chair out for her, but she was already up. Slowly, she walked toward the parking lot.

“I don’t envy her having to walk to her car and back.” Nina blew out a long breath. “If her legs hurt half as badly as mine do, she’d be crying.”

“We need to know your intentions toward Lanes.” January’s keen blue eyes were on him as she peeled her banana.

“If you break her heart, we’ll kill you.” Nina said in a super sweet voice as she picked up a butter knife and hacked off a good–sized pat of butter. The murderous intent was clear.

“I plan on spending as much time with her as she’ll let me.” Devon looked her straight in the eye so that she’d know he was serious without being creepy. He held her gaze and didn’t blink first.

After a minute, Nina nodded. “Good enough for me.”

“I think we should give him the inside scoop on Laney.” Charisma sipped her juice.

“She’s very intense on the outside, but is hilarious once you get to know her.” Charisma yawned. “She’s a fantastic doctor, but rarely talks about her patients.”

“She is very careful to separate home and work.” Nina shrugged. “I guess compartmentalizing is the only way she knows how to cope with her job. Sometimes, it’s hard to watch the way she turns off her emotions.”

“I don’t think she turns them off, I think she bottles them up. I’m sure she gets it from her father.” January rolled her eyes. “He makes robots look warm and fuzzy.”

Charisma pegged him with her dark brown eyes. “We love her and don’t want to see her hurt.”

Everyone needed friends like these. He scratched the back of his neck. He hoped Laney would question his friends about him.

“Lanes like to compartmentalize. Everything in its place … emotionally and physically. She’s not OCD or anything, just particular … now her dad is OCD with a capital O–C–D. Last time I was at his house, I moved around all of knickknacks in his home office.” January laughed to herself. “It took him forever to get them back in their places. Good times.”