False Start (Fair Catch Series, Book Two) Read online

  False Start

  Fair Catch Series, Book Two

  Christine Kersey

  Contents

  Note to Readers

  Books by Christine Kersey

  Book Description

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Crushing On You Chapter 1

  Books by Christine Kersey

  About the Author

  Note to Readers

  Click HERE to join Christine Kersey’s VIP Readers’ Club and receive 2 free books.

  Click HERE to see all of Christine Kersey’s free books.

  Click HERE to see the books Christine has enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  False Start (Fair Catch Series, Book Two)

  Copyright © 2017 by Christine Kersey

  Cover by Novak Illustration

  All rights reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  eBook Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.

  Discover other exciting titles by Christine Kersey available through her official author website: ChristineKersey.com or through most online retailers.

  Created with Vellum

  Books by Christine Kersey

  Fair Catch Romance

  Illegal Procedure

  False Start

  Park City Firefighter Romance

  Rescue My Heart

  Hearts On Fire

  Emerald Falls Romance Series

  Crushing On You: Travis and Gabriella (An Emerald Falls Romance, Book One)

  Dangerous Lies: Sawyer and Amethyst (An Emerald Falls Romance, Book Two)

  Chance Encounter: Gage and Melanie (An Emerald Falls Romance, Book Three)

  Searching for Love

  Falling for You (Searching for Love, Book One)

  Finding Reese (Searching for Love, Book Two)

  Surrender My Heart (Searching for Love, Book Three)

  Bring Me Home (Searching for Love, Book Four)

  Lily’s Story

  He Loves Me Not (Lily’s Story, Book 1)

  Don’t Look Back (Lily’s Story, Book 2)

  Love At Last (Lily’s Story, Book 3)

  Life Imperfect (Lily’s Story, Book 4)

  Parallel Trilogy

  Gone (Parallel Series, Book 1)

  Imprisoned (Parallel Series, Book 2)

  Hunted (Parallel Series, Book 3)

  After (Parallel Series, Book 4)

  The Other Morgan (Parallel Series, Book 5)

  Over You Series

  Over You

  Second Chances (sequel to Over You)

  Witness Series

  Witness (Witness, Book 1)

  Retribution (Witness, Book 2)

  Standalone Books

  Suspicions

  No Way Out

  Box Sets

  Parallel Trilogy

  Lily’s Story

  Searching for Love bundle

  Book Description

  When Sacramento Vipers tight end Brock Remington goes home to take care of his deceased father’s affairs, he doesn’t expect to run into Ainsley Hunter, his former neighbor and the younger sister of his old high school buddy. The last time he saw her, she was a gangly fourteen-year-old. Now she’s all grown up and drop-dead gorgeous. Too bad she wants to keep him in the friend zone.

  When Ainsley sees Brock, she doesn’t want to admit that she’s watched every NFL game he’s ever played in, but after spending hours helping him pack up his father’s belongings, her attraction to him becomes harder to suppress.

  As sparks fly between them, will Ainsley give in to her attraction, or will her fear of a broken heart keep her sitting on the sidelines for good?

  BONUS: Includes the first chapter of Crushing On You (Emerald Falls Romance, Book One).

  Chapter One

  Brock Remington parked in the driveway of his childhood home, a kaleidoscope of emotions crashing over him. He hadn’t been expecting to come to Rosebridge, Idaho, but a phone call the night before telling him that his father had died of a massive heart attack had changed his plans.

  Why had he waited so long to come home for a visit? It was true that he’d been extremely busy playing for the Sacramento Vipers, but was that really an excuse? His father had always been there for him—teaching him how to catch his first football, supporting him as football became his passion, all the way through being there when Brock was drafted into the NFL. It had never occurred to Brock that his father could be taken from him without warning.

  Now though, as he shut off the engine of his rental car and stared at the house where he’d spent so many happy years, he frowned deeply as regret swept over him. After losing his mother to cancer when he was a child, Brock should have known that life could—and would—take unexpected turns, that he should never take his loved ones for granted.

  His gaze slid to the neighboring house where his old high school buddy, Wes Hunter, had lived. Brock had lost touch with Wes and had no idea what he was up to, but he remembered spending many happy hours at the Hunter’s home.

  Then an image of Wes’s little sister, Ainsley, popped into his mind. She was four years younger than Brock and Wes, and whenever the two boys had gotten together, she’d always tried to include herself in their fun. Shaking his head at the memory of the gangly girl who they’d teased until she’d cried with frustration, Brock longed for those simpler days.

  Then again, he loved his life now. Being one of the best tight ends in the NFL was pretty amazing. He’d worked hard to get where he was and he loved every minute of it. He just wished his father was still around to enjoy it with him.

  Sighing with regret, Brock opened the car door, the heat of the July afternoon pressing down on him, then he went inside the house.

  Ainsley Hunter heard the car pull into the Remington’s driveway and peered out the front window of her house. Curious who it was, she stared hard, but the tinted car windows made it impossible for her to see who was inside. She had seen the ambulance at the house the day before and had learned that Dan Remington had passed away. Saddened by the news, she wondered if Brock would be coming home for the funeral.

  Except for watching Sacramento Vipers football games, Ainsley hadn’t seen Brock in ages. Ten years earlier, when she was just fourteen, he’d left for college. And though he’d come home for school breaks, she’d been busy with her own life, and with Wes away at college, Brock had never come over to their house. And then when she’d turned eighteen, she’d moved out of her parents’ house.

  Now though, her parents had moved out of state for her dad’s job and they’d let Ainsley rent their house while they were gone. When they’d offered her a killer deal, she’d agreed without a second thought. Her job as a dental hygienist paid reasonably well, and she planned on saving for
a down payment on a place of her own.

  Watching the car in the Remington’s driveway, when the driver’s door swung open and a tall man stepped out, Ainsley gasped. It was Brock, and he looked even better in person than he did on the football field. That was saying a lot, because on the football field he looked mighty fine.

  Six four with a powerful build, Brock was an imposing presence. Add to that his chiseled cheekbones, neatly trimmed beard, full lips, and soulful brown eyes, and Ainsley thought it was a shame to hide those good looks under a helmet.

  Watching him as he climbed out of the car and walked toward the front door of his childhood home, Ainsley softly chuckled at the memory of trying to insinuate herself into the middle of whatever it was he and Wes had been doing—playing video games, shooting hoops in the driveway, or just hanging out. She shook her head, her long hair softly moving against her shoulders. Those boys had put up with her to a point, but had always quickly tired of her insistence that they should let her join in their games.

  Gazing at Brock’s broad shoulders as he stepped onto the porch before disappearing from view, Ainsley decided she should go over and offer her condolences. Both of his parents were gone now, and with him being an only child, who would he turn to for comfort? Ainsley knew he dated lots of women—yes, sometimes she Internet-stalked him—but she didn’t know if he had a steady girlfriend. Anyway, if he did, wouldn’t she have come with him?

  It was early afternoon on a Sunday. Ainsley would give him a chance to settle in, but then she would go over and see how he was doing.

  The funeral home had been extremely helpful in getting the funeral arrangements finalized even though it was a Sunday. Helping matters was the fact that several years earlier Brock’s father had arranged many of the details himself. At the time, he’d told Brock that he’d done this because after going through the challenges of arranging Brock’s mother’s funeral, he didn’t want the burden of his own funeral to fall on Brock.

  Though there had only been a few details left to finalize, it had still left Brock feeling tired, and now all he wanted to do was stay in the recliner and veg in front of the TV. Which is exactly when the doorbell rang.

  Not feeling like company, he frowned, rolled his neck from side to side, then settled more comfortably into the plush chair. The doorbell rang again. Knowing there were many people in Rosebridge who knew his father and might want to pay their respects, he pushed himself out of the recliner with a sigh, then trudged to the door and pulled it open.

  On his front porch stood an angel. At least she looked like an angel to him. Honey-blonde hair, long and wavy, cascaded over her shoulders, and ruby-red lips framed straight white teeth. And that smile. It lit up her entire face, making her blue eyes sparkle.

  He stared at her a moment, familiarity tickling the back of his mind. Did he know this angel?

  Hold on. Was this Ainsley Hunter? Wes’s baby sister? She was no longer a baby, that was for sure.

  Completely taken aback, it took Brock a moment to find his voice, and when he spoke, he couldn’t hide his astonishment. “Ainsley?”

  Her smile only grew. “You remember me.”

  Well, of course he remembered her. But not looking like this. Then again, it had been ten years. Ten years that had done wonderful things to her face. And her body. Trying not to rake her body with his gaze, he worked hard to keep his focus on her face. “Of course I do. How could I forget Wes’s little sister?”

  Had he really just said that? Like that was the only way he saw her?

  Didn’t matter. He was in town to take care of his father’s affairs before going back to Sacramento. That was all. He didn’t need the complication of rekindling old friendships.

  Wait. She’d never actually been his friend. Just the sister of his friend.

  A battle raged in his mind over how to see her, but then he forced himself to slow down and focus on why she was there.

  Brock looked so much better up close, it was all Ainsley could do not to throw her arms around him and give him a big hug—of friendship, of course. She was dating Tommy Zimmerman. Well, not seriously, but still, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to hug Brock in any romantic way. Not that she was thinking about him like that. Of course she was thinking of him like that.

  Even when she was a preteen there had been something about him that had intrigued her, drew her to him. Maybe that was why she could never leave him and Wes alone. This realization took her by surprise. Why had she not figured this out before now?

  Blinking twice in quick succession, Ainsley focused on what Brock was saying. Did he just call her Wes’s little sister? Is that the way he saw her? Couldn’t he see that she had grown up? She was twenty-four now, living on her own. A full-fledged adult, just like him.

  “What can I do for you?” he asked with a smile.

  “I just…” She glanced towards her house and pointed in that general direction. “I live in my parents’ house now. Well, they don’t live there anymore. I live alone. I moved in a few months ago.” Why was she babbling? But she knew why. That’s what she did when she was nervous. Why did Brock make her nervous? “Anyway. I heard about your father and I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about your loss.”

  At her words, a curtain of sorrow slid over Brock’s eyes.

  “Is there anything I can do?” she added. “Anything you need? Maybe I can make you dinner. Are you hungry?” And what did such a large man eat? Especially one in the NFL. Surely he had to eat thousands of calories a day to maintain his size. Not that he was fat, because he was nowhere near fat. He looked like he was all muscle. Very attractive muscle. Muscle she wouldn’t mind running her fingers over.

  Blood rushed to her face.

  She was just as friendly as he remembered from his childhood. Warmth flowed over him at the familiarity of it, the familiarity of her. It was just what he needed, because despite his grief, from the moment she’d arrived, it was as if the weight on his shoulders had lifted.

  “Sure,” he heard himself say. “I’d love dinner.”

  “Would you? Because I’m a pretty good cook. Not as good as my mom, maybe. You always liked my mom’s food, didn’t you?”

  Now that she mentioned it, before he’d headed off to college he had eaten dinner at their house many times. And her mother’s food had been delicious.

  Remembering how he and Wes had liked to tease her, he smiled. “If your food’s not as good as your mom’s, then I’m not sure…” He let his words trail off.

  Her eyes went wide and he also remembered how gullible she’d been. Still was, apparently.

  “Just kidding, Ainsley. Whatever you make will be perfect.”

  “Okay.” She paused a beat. “What do you eat? I mean, you probably eat a lot, right?” Then her mouth slammed shut like she hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

  Suppressing a laugh, he smiled. “Yeah, I do eat a lot.”

  “I can make lasagna. Will that work?”

  Just then, he didn’t care what she made. He was just looking forward to eating with her. “Lasagna sounds great. Can I bring anything?”

  She shook her head. “No. Don’t worry about a thing. Just come over in a couple of hours.”

  He nodded. “I will.”

  She smiled. “I’ll see you later.”

  Standing in the open doorway, he watched her walk across the grass to her house.

  His day had just brightened considerably.

  Chapter Two

  Why was she so nervous?

  Ainsley spread the cottage cheese over the lasagna noodles, then sprinkled mozzarella over that before pouring half of the meat sauce on top and spreading it evenly inside the casserole dish. After repeating the layers over more noodles, she put the dish in the oven and set the timer for thirty minutes. Then she began setting the table.

  After inviting Brock for dinner, Ainsley had remembered that she’d made plans with Tommy. How that had completely slipped her mind, she didn’t know. She’d had to cancel with Tommy
, telling him she was having an old friend over for dinner. Brock had actually been a friend of her brother’s, so that was mostly true.

  Anyway, Tommy had said that was fine, that he had an appointment to show a client some houses, that he hoped this client would finally make up his mind and buy a house already.

  Carefully folding the napkins before placing them next to the plates just so, Ainsley finished setting the table and stepped back to see how it looked. Then she scolded herself for worrying so much about impressing Brock. His mind had to be on losing his father, not on whether her table would pass an etiquette inspection. Still, she wanted everything to be perfect.

  The doorbell rang.

  He’s early.

  Panic swelled within her. Then she told herself to calm down. This was just Brock, Wes’s friend from high school. Who was also a world-famous NFL football player known to millions of fans.

  The panic returned with a vengeance.

  Now a knock sounded, loud and strong.

  Okay okay. Breathe, Ainsley. Breathe.

  Listening to her inner voice, she felt her nerves settle enough for her to glide to the front door before pulling it open, a welcoming smile on her face.

  “Come in,” she said, sweeping her hand toward the living room as she tried not to notice how very attractive Brock looked in his dark jeans and dark gray button-up shirt. She failed miserably.