Free Game For Love: Best Laid Plans (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Taige Crenshaw

Chapter 1
    Look at you being all lazy. Give yourself a gold star. Garret Reid smiled wryly.
    Slowing down and doing absolutely nothing took some getting used to but just like his days in the NFL, he was working hard to master it. The most he did these days was check in on the various businesses he co-owned which he could do 99-percent of the time from the comfort of his home. A soft brush against his leg made his smile widen then the touch moved up. He glanced down into those familiar keen blue eyes. She lifted her head regally and stared at him. Garret lowered his hand and scratched behind her ear. The loud purring of his Siamese cat filled him with warmth.
    “You’re so spoiled.” He paused then. “Even more so now that I’m home all the time.”
    She butted her head against his fingers and came closer then onto his chest. The comforting weight was so good. Garret continued to stroke her fur as he stared into her gaze.
    “What shall we do today?” He wrinkled his nose then widened his eyes playfully. “Wait, I have nothing to do today. It is fabulous.”
    She tilted her head to the side and stared at him.
    “Yeah I know I need to feed you and make sure all your needs are meet, Diva.”
    She meowed as if in agreement.
    “Such a big ole diva.” Garret rolled his eyes. “No wonder that’s what I named you. You know when I got you I didn’t want a cat—“ Garret settled in and told her again the story of how she choose him as hers. “—it’s amazing that you such a little bitty thing could be so demanding. It—”
    “You really need to get out more and with human company if you’re having conversation with your cat.” A man’s voice came from by his hip.
    Garret sat up quickly and looked around. “What the hell?”
    “Check your cell phone,” the man said dryly. “Did by chance my lovely niece answer a call for you without you knowing?”
    Diva slid off Garret chest and went by his hip and purred. Looking past her, Garret saw his cell phone and recalled he had put it on vibrate last night before leaving it there.
    He sighed and laid back.  “Diva you really need to stop answering the phone.”
    “We both know technically she can’t answer the phone.” The man laughed. “But my niece somehow steps on the right buttons to answer the call and put it on speaker. She’s awesome. Now you shut up I’m bonding with my niece,” the man said. “How’s my Diva doing? I’m going to come see you really soon. And I’ll bring you a nice surprise.” There was a woof sounding through the phone. “And Dex says hi. Now let me talk to your lazy daddy who I’m sure is driving you crazy being around all day.”
    “And you said I need human company.” Garret chuckled. “How often are you talking with Dex lately?”
    “This isn’t about me it’s about you.” He sing-songed.
    “Symon.” Garret returned in the same sing-song tone.
    “That’s my name.” Symon Kyle laughed again. “How ya doing buddy?”
    “The same as you I expect.” He paused then said, “Learning to live a life of leisure.”
    “You’re bored out of your mind,” Symon stated.
    “No I’m not,” Garret said, although he wasn’t yet he could tell it was only a matter of time…a short time when he would be itching for something to do.
    “Yeah.” The disbelief was plain through the phone line.
    “Yes.” Garret rolled his eyes. “Why are you calling me so early in the morning anyway?”
    “It’s six-twenty six and I know you would be awake,” Symon paused. “Although I know you told me you’d be sleeping until noon since now you can be lazy. How’s that noon thing working for you?”
    “Don’t think I don’t hear you suppressing laughter. Fuck you,” Garret said good naturedly. “How’s your time of leisure coming?”
    Symon didn’t seem to know the word ‘leisure’. Yes he wasn’t putting in the grueling hours he had when he played but he was busy with many other things.
    “Unlike some folks I decided