Mad Scramble: Philadelphia Frenzy, #1

By Susan Scott Shelley

Everson Montgomery's entire life is devoted to ensuring the success of his pro football career. Strict rules about his diet, sleep habits, and training schedule keep him running like a well-oiled linebacker machine. There's zero room for distractions… until he meets his teammate's brother and is instantly smitten with the friendly, gorgeous, generous man.

 

Ryan Brennan has had a crush on the gridiron giant for years. When the opportunity to work together on a charity drive arises, he's all in. Spending time with Everson, he sees the sweetness and vulnerability beneath the stoic exterior, and opens up his heart and his home. He's learned the hard way that getting too close, too fast isn't smart, but something keeps drawing him to Everson.

 

Everson doesn't do relationships and Ryan doesn't do hook ups, but they can't stay away from each other. When chaos on the field and in the locker room spills over into everyday life, and past ghosts return to haunt them both, will they chase after their hearts or will their relationship be tackled before they have a chance to score?

Mad Scramble was originally featured in Love is All: An Anthology, and has since been expanded.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Scott Shelley
• Release date: Sep 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781944220327

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

His brothers were going to kill him.

Ryan Brennan jogged through the South Philadelphia streets, dodging pedestrians as his sneakers closed the distance between his house and the city's sports complex.

Getting sidetracked at work hadn't been part of his plans. Neither had the traffic jam on the way home, or the minutes wasted during the hunt for his hockey jersey. None of those things would be considered valid excuses for being late to the game, not by his brothers, and especially not when their oldest brother's team was in town to take the ice.

He patted the front pocket of his jeans. At least he'd remembered the tickets.

His blue Buffalo Bedlam jersey may have stood out in the sea of fans attired in yellow and gray Philadelphia Power gear, but pride in Leo, now an alternate captain for his team, wouldn't allow Ryan to wear anything else. He stopped at a red light on the corner of Broad Street and Packer Avenue. Traffic steamed by, congested as always before a sporting event, confirming that his decision not to drive to the game had been smart.

One of his favorite things about Philly was that the baseball stadium, football stadium, and arena that housed both the hockey and basketball teams were all within the same area, and all within walking distance of his house. Growing up in a sports-obsessed family and having two brothers who played at the pro level ensured that he spent more than his fair share of time visiting the venues.

He glanced at his phone screen. An alert from the hockey league's app signaled the game was underway. Two additional texts popped up, from his brothers Xavier and Shane, just as eager to see Leo, and giving him shit about being late. He tapped out a quick reply. I'm a few blocks away. Relax.

Sporadic gray clouds drifted across the orange and pink sunset sky, bringing vibrant color to his corner of South Philly. Even with the delays to his day, excitement pulsed through his skin. Not only would he see Leo play in the opening game of the hockey season, but seats in a suite with his brothers were the best way to kick off a week.

The signal changed to green. He pocketed his phone and jogged into the street. A car horn blared to his left. He shifted his gaze. A huge red SUV ran the red light, barreling down on him. His heart slammed into his ribs. His lungs seized. And he couldn't move his frozen limbs.

The car didn't stop.

Something hard grabbed his shoulders, yanked him off his feet, and dragged him back to the safety of the sidewalk.

Shit. Oh, shit. His heart pumped wildly. Blood rushed into his ears, and white spots dotted his vision. He couldn't catch his breath.

Are you okay? Maybe you should sit down. Strong hands pressed on his shoulders until he sat on the sidewalk. Deep breaths, man. You're fine.

Ryan sucked in air. A flash of adrenaline tingled through his body. When he had control of his breath, he glanced at the man beside him and his heartbeat stuttered all over again. Warm brown eyes studied his face. Auburn hair flopped over a freckled forehead and accented strong features that reminded him of a Viking warrior.

He knew that face. Knew the way that long hair flew when the wind captured it on the football field. Knew the way those eyes narrowed whenever the giant lined up against an opposing team's offense. Everson Montgomery, three-time All-Pro linebacker and his brother Xavier's teammate on the Philadelphia Frenzy football team, crouched by his side.

Forehead creasing in concern, the man laid a hand on his shoulder again. Are you okay?

Yeah. Ryan drew in another breath. Thanks for making sure I didn't turn into a pancake out there.

A low chuckle, warm and rich, shot awareness into Ryan's blood. Everson smiled. I'm glad I was in the right place at the right time. Those guys were in a hurry for the game.

Think so?

They were wearing Philly Power jerseys, and their car just turned into the parking lot. He pointed toward the lot at the end of the street where a line of cars waited to enter.

Just great. I hope I won't run into them when I get inside. Not that he'd be able to identify them. But if he could, he'd at least have a crew with him. No one messed with his brothers. Hell, no one usually messed with him. Aside from that one awful time a few years earlier. A chill crawled over his skin, and his forced his focus away from the memories crowding on the edges of his thoughts. His phone pinged and vibrated in his pocket with a fresh round of text alerts. No doubt from his brothers.

You look familiar. Everson hadn't moved his hand. It rested on Ryan’s shoulder in steady support. I swear I've seen you somewhere… Wait, you're one of Xavier's brothers.

Ryan's brows shot up. He gaped at the linebacker. Good memory. That barbecue was pretty crowded. I'm—

Ryan. I remember. His mouth curved into a smile and his gaze sparked with something that Ryan definitely wanted to explore. Think you're okay to stand?

Ryan nodded, not trusting his voice or his still shaky limbs. Everson remembered him from a brief meeting at a crowded party months earlier? He'd been crushing hard on the league's first out gay athlete since the first time he'd laid eyes on the man three seasons ago, but admiring him from afar was nothing like being up close, under his scrutiny.

Let's get you up, then. Hands closed over Ryan's forearms and half-lifted, half-guided him to standing.

Thanks. I don't think my brothers would've accepted my getting run over as a valid excuse for missing the game. Ryan shielded his face from the sun and studied the larger man. He had to be a good four or five inches taller than Ryan's own six-foot frame, with shoulders as wide as cinder blocks. His gray shirt and faded jeans hinted at the large, chiseled muscles beneath the material. Muscles that his football uniform showed to perfection.

Everson laughed again, tossing his hair out of his face. The long strands danced in the breeze. Xavier seemed pretty excited about it at practice today when he invited me to join you guys.

Join them? Fresh tingles ran through his body. He was going to kill Xavier for not giving him a head's up. But then again, his brother probably wasn't aware of the whole crush thing. He told me he'd ask someone if they wanted to take my dad's ticket. I'm… glad you're joining us.

I'm sorry your dad is sick.

He hates having to miss the game, but the cold he came down with is pretty bad. He didn't want to infect anyone. And thanks to that cold, here he was, standing in the sunset with the star of his fantasies. He needed to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. His phone buzzed again. Damn, the game. Come on, we should head over.

Right. Everson stayed close as they crossed the street, his gaze on the opposing traffic until they safely reached the other side. I love this area but hate the crazy drivers. I know the football fans get a bad rap, but from what I've seen, hockey and baseball fans can be just as wild. A passing car honked and then the passenger wearing a Power jersey pointed to Ryan's Bedlam jersey and flipped them off. Everson touched the stylized B on Ryan's shoulder. Maybe wearing the opposing team's colors had something to do with that SUV gunning for you.

Ryan ran his hand over the Bedlam's logo on his chest. I grew up bleeding yellow and gray for the Power, but when Leo's team is in town, I sport the blue and white.

Does that mean Xavier will be decked out in Bedlam gear too?

Probably.

Hmm. Maybe I should be rethinking his invite to join you guys. Everson winked at him. The fans booed our team bad enough on Sunday after our loss. If they spot us tonight, we don't need to give them any other ammunition.

They don't hate you. They're just not afraid to let you know—loudly—when they don't think you're trying hard enough or they disagree with a play or a coach's decision.

As much as it can sting, I love that about them. I'll take passionate over lukewarm any day. Everson's gaze tracked over his face. You know what I mean?

Mouth dry, Ryan swallowed and willed the butterflies of interest to stop stirring in his stomach. I do.

They walked down another block, then cut across an access road and then through a few parking lots. His brothers stood in front of one of the arena entrances, wearing Bedlam gear, waving and calling out to them.

When they reached his brothers, Xavier stepped forward, shaking his head. He raised his hands like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to tear them through his hair or throttle Ryan. You walked? Why the hell did you walk?

Ryan yanked the tickets from his pocket. Because I figured it would take less time than getting stuck in traffic. I'm here now, aren't I?

Yeah, yeah, let's go. His brother herded them into the building. Good to see you, E.

Thanks again for inviting me. Everson motioned for Ryan to go ahead of him through the security scanner.

Entirely too aware of the man's gaze, Ryan dropped his keys and phone into the bowl and stepped through the scanner. No surprise that the attendant wrinkled her nose at the Bedlam jersey. He smiled at her and then pocketed his belongings.

Shane nudged his shoulder and studied him with brows raised. You all right? You look a little dazed.

He couldn't stop the flush working its way across his face. I'm good. And my being late was a good thing because I bumped into Everson on the way.

Everson raised a brow and opened his mouth. Ryan subtly shook his head and sent the linebacker a quelling look. No way did he need his brothers hearing about what had happened with the car nearly running him over, and it wasn't like he'd gotten hurt. He passed out the tickets, hoping Everson received the message.

Xavier turned to his teammate as they handed over their tickets to be scanned and then passed through the turnstile. Why did you walk, E? Didn't you get enough exercise during today's workout?

I wanted to burn off some energy and lost track of time. Good thing I did, too. Ryan and I ran into each other in the middle of Packer Avenue. The look he sent Ryan, part heat, and part concern, warmed him as much as an actual touch.

A cheer erupted out from the crowd, spilling into the concourse, and the goal buzzer sounded. Ryan ripped his gaze away from Everson. All right, let's get to our seats. We're missing everything.

They reached their suite just in time for a stoppage in play. Scanning the ice for Leo, Ryan sank into his seat. There wasn't anything like being at a hockey game live. The chill in the air, the energy in the building, the speed and precision of the game, he loved it all.

Xavier dropped into the seat at his side. "I thought you were going to leave work