“Good to know,” Anya said. “Now all of you can get out of the kitchen while we cook.”
Tucker’s lips curved as they all headed into the living room. They’d been like this for years, always bickering about everything, but mainly sports. The Cassidys were nothing if not competitive, obviously a gene passed on from their father.
It had made their lives a lot of fun growing up. And sometimes a giant pain in the ass.
But he’d chosen baseball because he loved the sport, and not for any of the bullshit reasons his brothers always accused him of.
He finished his beer, so he wandered into the kitchen. “Something smells amazing in here.”
Anya looked up from the stove and grinned at him. “Shrimp creole with rice. We’re also doing a corn salad on the side. And Katrina’s baking bread.”
His stomach reacted with a violent grumble. He was starving. “Oh, God. Can we kill off all the other guys, so only the three of us get to eat this?”
Katrina laughed. “I’d kind of like to keep Grant around, if you don’t mind.”
He shrugged. “If you’re going to insist on that.”
Leo showed up a short while later. All the guys ganged up on him to ask him about football. The kid had changed a lot in the past half a year or so. He’d gained muscle and height, as well as confidence. After he took a quick shower, they sat him down in the living room.
“So how’s it going?” Tucker asked.
“It’s good. The practices are great, and we’re hard at it already, even though football season isn’t until fall.”
“That gives you time to get used to the plays and integrate yourself into the team,” Barrett said.
Leo nodded. “Yeah. I’m learning a lot.”
“Any girlfriends yet?”
Leo blushed, peeked over toward the kitchen, then lowered his voice. “I might have my eye on someone.”
Barrett nodded his head, offering up a smug smile. “A cheerleader, right?”
“Actually, no. She’s in my chemistry class.”
“Even better. Nerdy girls are hot.”
Grant shot Barrett a look. “You think anyone with a vagina is hot.”
“Hey, I’m picky about my women.”
“Since when?” Tucker asked. “You racked up more girls in high school and college than you did sacks. And that hasn’t changed since you went pro—and by pro, I mean a pro at going through women.”
“Don’t listen to him, Leo,” Barrett said. “It’s not my fault women find me hot, muscular and irresistible.”
“Gag.” Tucker shook his head. “I just lost my appetite.”
“That’s too bad, because dinner is ready,” Katrina said. “And you all should stop talking about sex and vaginas with my brother.”
“Why?” Barrett asked with a grin. “How else is he going to learn other than from the experts?”
Grant knocked into Barrett with his body. “You’re an asshole.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that.”
Tucker slung his arm around Leo’s shoulders. “We’ll talk about football and the other thing later.”
Leo offered up a smile and nodded.
Tucker liked the kid. He got good grades in school, was still a little shy, though not as much as he had been when they’d first met on the ranch last summer. He was growing up, and God, kids did that so fast these days. He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, though, and Tucker knew both Grant and Katrina would make sure it stayed that way.
Dinner was amazing, and Tucker ate way more than he should have.
“Anya, this is great.”
She smiled so hard he thought her face might break. “Thanks. I’ve been playing with making some Southern foods.”
“She’s chosen University of Texas for college,” Grant said. “She’s waiting for her acceptance letter.”
“Oh yeah?” Barrett grinned. “That should make Dad happy. And Grant, of course.”
Grant grinned. “Yeah, it sure does.”
“We haven’t told Easton yet because we don’t want him to be disappointed if I don’t get in,” Anya said.
“I can’t imagine you won’t get in,” Tucker said. “What college wouldn’t want you?”
“Thanks. I also applied to a few other backup colleges, but U of T is what I want.”
Grant smiled. “It’ll make Mia happy to have you there.”
Tucker could already imagine his little sister chaperoning Anya at parties and mixers. He knew Katrina would feel a lot better with Anya attending a college where a Cassidy was already in residence.
“It would make me happy, too.”
“What about you, Leo?” Tucker asked. “Have you given any thoughts to colleges yet?”
Leo shook his head. “My head is filled with a new school, meeting new friends and concentrating on football right now. Plus, I’m on the baseball team, and our team is in first place. I’m hoping we’ll go to the state championships.”
Tucker grinned. “That would be great.”
Leo nodded. “I know, right? Anyway, between that and spring football, it’s pretty much all I can handle.”