Down and Dirty(21)

“Done.”

With the bet set, everyone turned attention back to the game, although she could sense Galen’s sidelong glances flicking between her and Shane. No time to worry about it now, though. The Giants were marching steadily down the field, and Cat watched the action with bated breath, noting that everyone else seemed just as invested. Even Galen was up and pacing, and Lacey had taken to covering her eyes during key plays. Cat turned her attention back to the TV set just in time to see Eli flat on his back. Again.

It was looking good for her and the Pats. Soon, she’d get to help find Shane a girlfriend. Hell, he could be happy and settled by spring.

Exactly what she’d wanted, right?

So why did the prospect of winning the bet suddenly feel a little like losing?

…

Shane sat back and watched the rest of the game, entirely unconcerned about the outcome.

Of concern, though, were the dark, searching looks Galen was giving him. The opportunity had opened up and he’d taken it, but he’d also given his buddy a bead on his feelings for Cat, and he needed to prepare himself for the confrontation. If he knew his friend the way he thought he did, once Galen realized that he was as serious as a terrorist threat about his sister, he’d be okay with it. Cat’s carousel of a love life had been tough for her big brother to watch, and as long as he knew Shane wasn’t just trying to hop on for a quick ride, he’d give his blessing.

If only convincing Cat would be that easy.

She was a tough one. Although right now, she was looking anything but tough. She was a wreck. The Giants were at fourth and goal, and if they made it into the end zone, the game would go into overtime, giving them a chance to win.

A minute later, the room erupted into boos and cheers simultaneously when Eli threw an incomplete pass, locking up the win for the Patriots and for Cat. He tried not to let her whooping and whistling bruise his ego.

“All right, there we go. That’s what I’m talking about. Ladies and gents, introduce yourself to the newest member of MeetMyMate.com.” She waved a flourishing hand toward Shane. “And don’t worry, I’ll make sure we clean him up before we put up his video. This is going to be fun.”

He sure thought so, which was odd, because if someone had asked him an hour ago if he’d rather swim with sharks or join an online dating site, Jaws would have won, hands down. Now that he’d gotten a second taste of Cat, nothing was going to stop him from getting more.

The women were chattering about his hair and what kinds of things he should say in his introduction video when he noticed Galen standing in the kitchen doorway, giving him the hairy eyeball. He jerked his head to the side, a clear invitation to join him on the down low.

“I’m going to get a sandwich,” he announced, but neither of them paid him any mind.

When he stepped through the doorway, Galen was leaning against the counter, arms akimbo. “So what’s the deal, man? Got something you want to tell me?”

Shane weighed his options and decided to shoot from the hip. “Yeah, I guess I do. I’m into Cat. Have been for years, but never felt like the time was right or that she was ready to hear it. I want to be closer to friends and family, but I’m not going to lie. Part of the reason I decided to come back was to see if she was ready.”

The tension in Galen’s jaw dissipated and he nodded slowly. “Okay. So what’s the plan?”

“She definitely has some feelings for me. I think she’s going to need a little convincing to see things my way, but only because she’s Cat.” Shane crossed his arms over his chest. “Is this all going to be a problem for you?”

Galen rubbed at his chin and then shook his head. “Not when you put it like that, I guess. But why didn’t you tell me before?”

“You mean like when you asked me to take care of her while you went to college, and open a can of whoop-ass on any guy who touched her? Or do you mean during those long heart-to-hearts we used to have at sleepovers right before we did our nails and had a pillow fight? Come on, buddy. We’ve gone out drinking, took a couple trips, kayaked, played racquetball, hell, even sparred together, but we don’t do a whole lot of deep-feeling swaps. Do you remember how you told me that you and Lacey were together?”

Galen shrugged a beefy shoulder. “Not exactly.”

“You called me up and said, ‘Hey, me and Lacey are getting married but we haven’t nailed down the date yet.’ Before that, I hadn’t heard shit about you two. I didn’t say anything about Cat because there was nothing to tell. Now there is.”

His friend snorted and grinned. “I guess. Okay, so what now? Why the dating site? Now she’s going to be focused on hooking you up with other chicks. Seems ass-backward.”