Closing the door I tossed my jacket on the chair and irritatingly scrub my nails through my hair. I've made a mess of things for a while now and it's all catching up to me. Squeezing my eyes closed tight I feel the pulsing of the headache from the hit I took tonight. A fricking concussion as soon as the game started too. I didn't even get to show Riley what I've got.

I know it's egotistical and yeah, I like to show off for my family. They come to support all of us, not just me. That's why I had such a great time sitting up in the suite watching the game with Riley. I got to just be a part of that again and remember why. Why I should never take anything I have for granted. I never get to watch my family play without being on the field with them anymore. I think I normally would have been pissed about the hit but I wasn't.

That's due to Riley

Just to spend the night with her and watch my family play. To enjoy some time together and have her get a view inside my family and see who we really are, who I really am. I'm not the guy that expects her to fall at my feet, or the guy on the red carpet that looks like a million bucks.

Ask my family

Every one of them have made sure my feet are planted firmly on the ground. I'm the first to admit I've got an ego but what guy doesn't? I used to watch Uncle Blake get his ego smashed into bits by Emma and that was after they were married. I heard stories about how she treated him and him, her. I don't want that.

I want to do this the right way even if I've started it all wrong. Riley said trust isn't just given but earned. She's absolutely right. Not that proving myself to her will be easy. It won't be. If this was easy I don't think I would feel so strongly about it being the right choice for me.

That doesn't mean I won't be trying to take some liberty if she'll allow it. So far I haven't gotten very far. She's too smart for me. She knows what I'm doing, she knows my game and calls me out for it. I love that about her. No bullshit allowed.

My eyes drift to the door and I groan knowing exactly how I must have sounded to her. Telling her she can stay with me just to be sure I'm okay. What a fucking idiot I am! Riley is too smart to fall for my bullshit lines like that! Who was I to think she would fall for a line like that?

Riley is different, special. There's just something about her that makes me want to try to do the right thing by her. What was I thinking, suggesting Riley could spend the night with me? Of course she won't! I'm being fucking stupid! Just thinking with my dick again.

How many times have I convinced other girls after games, at parties or from my classes to come to my room and stay? To have sex even though I was in a relationship with Leighton and didn't care. Oh the girls knew about Leighton that was never a secret and I was upfront that I wouldn't be able to get into a relationship with them. They didn't care. Even though I knew I would never commit to one of them I did it to Leighton and didn't feel an ounce of guilt. What does that say about me?

Is it really any wonder Riley doesn't trust me?

I wouldn't trust me! I should have listened to Uncle Blake a long time ago and broke up with Leighton when I started college. We should have gone separate ways but Leighton convinced me that we were this elite couple. That we were bigger than Uncle Blake and we weren't. Not even close, I'm such a fool.

I've screwed this up in every possible way and was about to resort to my old ways all over again, just because I can't keep my dick in my pants for one night. I've been a jerk for too long and I've got to be better if I want a chance here. That means me and my hand are going to best friends for a good long while, so be it!

I know better than to think she'd fall for my lines. Riley is too smart to fall for my game that I used to play with girls, she's called me on it too. That's what I like about her. Riley's straight up with me. Knowing exactly who I am now, she knows that I have a not so great history with girls. But she's still willing to give me a chance to prove myself.

I can't blow this chance she's giving me

I'm so used to girls who have their own agenda with me. I know I'm not the only one that plays a game. The Bradford name and money tends to bring out some that only want one thing, and it's not me. Riley is too sweet to play a game of her own. She isn't interested in getting with a Bradford like so many others who just want my money. She's just here for me.

That alone is a refreshing change

I think she understood me better tonight too. Getting to see my family together, how we interact and how important we are to each other. That's something Leighton never understood. Family matters, family comes first. I need someone who feels the same way. I saw the way her dad watched us and I watched her while she was talking to him.

They're a team and she's his little girl. I have to watch my step there. An image of him sitting in a rocking chair, a shotgun across his lap, while he waits on the front porch of his house waiting for me to bring his little girl home comes into my head.

Ben's a nice guy and he seems to get along great with my family. Georgia and Viv, Mom and Dad all took the time to get to know him. It's always been that way with our friends. They have to look out for us just because of past problems with Blake and the guys when they were young. They had some girls that caused Emma and Chels a lot of problems.

I won't let anyone cause Riley problems

Thinking about that pisses me off. Leighton could if she had the inclination to come here but it would be too much effort for her. Then there's the redhead that Georgia took care of tonight. I don't know her well but I bet she would cause problems if she thought she had a chance. She doesn't, not a single chance in hell.

Yanking my shirt over my head and wading it up into a tight ball I turned and threw it as hard as possible at my bag. Dropping my phone on the nightstand, then my money clip and change, I stripped off my jeans and proceeded to treat them in like manner.

In just my boxer briefs, I sit down on the side of the bed and hold my head, rubbing my temples in slow easy circles with my thumbs while applying pressure right between my eyes. I can't keep doing the same thing and think that anything will be different. Riley isn't like the girls I've hooked up with. I don't want to hook up with girls anymore. If I really want this girl then it's up to me to be better for her to want me too.

My phone buzzes next to me and looking down I see a text from an unknown number asking if I'm okay. Opening the message, I look at the number. It's local so someone from around here. I send a message back asking who it is and who they are trying to reach. Too many times the press have tried to pull a fast one on this family.

I'm not falling for that shit

In the dim light next to the bed I wait for a response but nothing comes back. I guess my suspicion was right.

"Stupid press." I mutter, tossing the phone back on the table.

I should just turn out the light and get some sleep. I've got to fly back to Arizona with Riley tomorrow and then drive back here. As much as I'm looking forward to spending the time with her, it's gonna be a long day. A good day but a long one.

Shoving the covers back, I pushed my legs under them and punched my pillow a couple times before reaching for the phone to plug it in. My fingers just touch the cord when I hear a creak from the floorboards just outside my door. My head jerks up and I stare at the door waiting for it to open. Nothing.

What the hell?

I don't move, I don't even breathe listening for another noise. Nothing. Not one damn thing. It was probably Ben saying good night to Riley, or Georgia checking on us. More than likely it's just my wishful thinking.

Giving up, I plug in my phone and set it on the nightstand. My head is hurting, I screwed up my game tonight and I almost screwed up with Riley. I just need sleep and maybe some Advil. Getting up again and going into the bathroom I take two little pills and start back to my bed when I hear the creaking from the hall again.

My tired dry eyes narrowed on the door and I stepped closer. My eyes landed on the handle and widened as I saw the knob turn but it didn't open, like the person on the other side changed their mind. My forehead inches from the solid mahogany wood when suddenly the door flew open and hit me square in the face.

The hard crack against my nose had white lights bursting behind my eyelids. I've had my nose broken a few times between playing ball and fighting with some asshatt. It hurts like a mother, this is no different. I don't think it's broken but damn it hurts.

"Ow! Fuck!" I growl holding my nose and hoping it wasn't broken again. I could already feel the warm sticky fluid start to drip into my hands. Shit this is just great.

"Oh God! Aiden! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't know you were standing right behind the door." Riley closes the door behind her and rushes me.

Immediately I notice that Riley is in this light green thin cotton shirt with small cap sleeves and black fitted shorts girls wear that really show off their asses. Her legs look longer than I know they are and her skin has this glow to it. Maybe it's just the lighting in here.

Doesn't matter, it's really working for me.

I've got a really nice view of a lot of silky soft skin at the moment and I am not complaining at all. My eyes slowly work their way up her body and trust me, I'm memorizing every inch for later. I don't stop until I see those lips, I just want to kiss them. Then I see those eyes. Those big brown eyes sparkle with flecks of gold making them look so deep and sagacious stare up at me.

She's worried, I see it in her eyes. I haven't moved my hands from my nose while I openly checked her out. But she's reaching for me, her eyes big, panicked that she's hurt me worse than I was. That I will be angry probably but I'm not. I know it was an accident. I have a feeling if she meant to hurt me she'd aim a lot lower than my nose and it would do a lot more damage.

"Aiden let me help you." Riley keeps her voice soft, almost a whisper like she doesn't want anyone to hear us.

Her hands gently tugged my own away from my face as she tried to see the damage she had done. I'm fighting her though. I know it's not broken, but I know it's bleeding like a mother. I'm gonna have to fix it up before I can see why she's here.

"Aiden, please let me help you!" Riley grips both of my wrists and pulls. I'm a lot stronger than she is and I don't budge.

"Riley stop! Just wait, please. If you want to help me, get me a cold cloth. I have to get my nose back in place and it's gonna hurt and it's gonna bleed a lot." I warn her. I know there's a lot of girls that can't handle the sight of blood. I don't really understand that since blood and bruises are a daily occurrence for me.

Hearing this, Riley suddenly lets go of me and rushes out of the room. Watching her run out I figure she's one of those girls and shake my head. I didn't figure her as one that would take off at the sight of blood but hey, everyone has their quirks right.

Going into the bathroom, I take a few deep breaths before I place the sides of both thumbs on either side of my nose and prepare for the pain that's going to hit if it's really broken as I wiggle my fingers against my nose. The movement hurts like hell but I can tell it's not broken. A low guttural growl roars out of me as I try not to get the entire house's attention. I got lucky but it's going to be bruised.

How am I going to explain this to everyone in the morning? I really don't need her dad knowing Riley almost broke my nose by rushing into my room. I have a feeling he won't like that very much. Not that I even know why she was coming to me. She may have wanted to tell me she doesn't want me to take them back tomorrow or she may have decided that my family is too overwhelming. Maybe her Dad put his foot down.

Shit! I think my nose is the least of my problems right now.

Examining it in the mirror, I see it's not as bad as it feels. I can probably write it off to the hit I took earlier and no one will know the difference. Except maybe Blake. He would see right through that one and call me on it for sure but not in front of Riley and her dad. He'd take me aside for it and ask. Then he'd laugh his ass off and tell me I'm lucky she didn't break it.

It's not like I haven't had a broken nose. Grace is a nurse and she's had to set my nose for me and a few of the others. We're lucky we have a surgeon, a nurse and a couple trainers in the family. Football isn't exactly the safest sport. Physical injuries happen all the time. Growing up we were always twisting, spraining or breaking something. I can't remember a summer where one of us wasn't in a cast.

Riley doesn't know that. She doesn't know how many times I've broken my nose or sprained an ankle or gotten a concussion. Injuries are just part of the package with football. Sore muscles, aches and pains all are just normal for me. She needs to know that.

Plastering my back against the wall in the shadows down the hall from Aiden's room, I breathe heavy and cringe at how stupid I am. My awkwardness and inexperience showed by the way I responded to him. I'm not good around him all of sudden. He's making me nervous and he didn't even do anything but ask me to take care of him. He's got a concussion, he's hurt and wanted me to take care of him and I acted like an idiot.

Can I just disappear into the shadows and hide now?

Quietly banging my head against the wall, I chastise myself for my behavior and all the ways I could and should have handled things better. He needs my help and he's going to get it. I won't let him down. Straightening my spine, and solidifying my resolve I make up my mind to do what I need to do. First things first, I need to get some ice for my blunder.

Heading down the hall and wandering around the maze, I try to find my way to the stairs. As I search for the stairs I replay the moment in my head and I can't believe I just did that. I should have at least knocked on the door before I opened it. Nope! I just barged in like I own the place. Slammed the door right into that beautiful face. I'm such an idiot! He's going to be so mad now. I don't blame him. I should have just stayed where I belong, in my own room and none of this would have happened.

Finally I see the dim light of the runners on the floor and run down the stairs, I slide around a corner, then another and hurry when I see a light shining from an opened doorway, to where I think is the kitchen. I didn't exactly get a tour of the house and even if I did, my memory is horrible for things like this. I never would have remembered my way. This place is so huge. I'm not sure if I'll remember how to get back to my own room much less find what I need to help Aiden. Running into where the light is on, I skid to a stop in the doorway of what must be an office.

"Oh, honey you can't sleep?" Georgia asks as she stands up from her desk. Closing the folder on her desk, she steps over to me and gives me a soft smile. "I can fix you some tea if you like or how about some warm milk that always worked for Aiden."

I didn't think anyone else was still awake? How embarrassing that I'm running around here in my skimpy old pjs and now I have to explain to Aiden's grandmother what happened and why I'm there. Just lovely. I'm really making the best impression on his family. Not!

"Oh, thank you but no. I um... I came down for Aiden... he has a bloody nose and I need some ice. I got a little lost trying to find the kitchen." I edit myself not explaining how it all happened. I really don't want to tell her I hit her grandson in the face with the door.

Georgia's eyes widen and with a curt nod she waves for me to follow her. We hurry along a darkened hall and around a corner to what I assume is a smaller kitchen but then she opens up a refrigerator and takes out an ice tray and ice bucket. As she does I look around the room and from the stream of light I can see this is no kitchen, it's a library and what must be an elaborate bar.

"I'm not going to ask how this happened." Georgia spoke as she worked, getting my attention. "Aiden has always had an eye for getting himself into situations. That boy has had more aches, pains, sprains and cracks and broken bones. He's lucky he's still in one piece." She gives a little laugh lightening her mood. "Aiden's so much like my Blake. That's why I've got such a soft spot for him. But just like Blake, his heart is only meant for that one person that truly understands him. That one person he knows will accept him exactly the way he is. Leighton, his ex, wasn't that person. She wanted to change him and turn him into a cold shell of who he was. Aiden finally came around to see that. He knows the countless girls that hang onto the notion that they will get their hands on his money aren't for him, like the little hussy from earlier tonight."

I get the impression she's trying to make a point to me. I also am very aware of what that point might be. Aiden and the Bradford's are a very wealthy family and I'm not even close to matching their checking accounts. I don't come from the same background, I'm not some debutante or rich man's daughter, I'm just a working class stiff. I get it. So I'll make sure I'm just as clear to her.

"I'm sure dealing with that is difficult. I can assure you I've worked hard for everything that I have. I realize I may not have a lot of material things but I don't need them, I have the things that are important to me. My dad, school, the diner. I like Aiden and his cousins but I don't use people that way. He asked me to be here, he came to Arizona and found me on break. If you think I'm chasing after your grandson for his money or yours, I'm sorry but you're very much mistaken. I don't want Aiden's money, Mrs. Bradford."

"What do you want dear?" Her bright green eyes match Aiden's perfectly as she tilts her head and I see just a hint of mischief in those eyes.

I got the impression that was a trick question and I said more than I should have already. Maybe I was wrong about her and she wasn't questioning my motives with Aiden. She did spend a good amount of time last night getting to know my dad. She has to know we aren't the kind of people that chase the almighty dollar.

"I just want some ice so I can help him." I explain pitifully.

Georgia grins and lets out a loud laugh. "And that you can have." Turning her back she continues to fill the bucket for me. "Honey, if I thought you were after his money, you wouldn't be sleeping in that room upstairs. My boys are very special to me and I'm very careful with them. Once in a while someone slips past me. I admit, I'm not perfect and I kick myself for letting it happen."

I can hear the regret in her voice. I'm not sure if it's over Aiden and his ex girlfriend or someone else but whatever happened it's hurt her. Georgia doesn't elaborate on the subject putting a lid and white fluffy towel on the bucket.