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Luke Ryder startles for a second when he notices me. Then his eyes narrow—those dark, dark blue eyes I’ve never forgotten—and one corner of his mouth tips up. “Gisele,” he mocks. “Prom king,” I mock back. With a soft chuckle, he spares me one last look before striding off.
“Number three: Every year or so, some dumbass gets the cockamamie idea that the team needs a pet. A living mascot in the form of a goat or a pig or some other godforsaken farm animal. I will no longer tolerate such ideas. Don’t present them to me—your request will be denied. There was an unfortunate incident in the past, and neither I personally, nor the university itself, will place ourselves in that position again. We have been pet-free for twenty years and will remain that way for eternity. Understood?”
“You host a show with Jake Connelly, the most beautiful man in the world. Trust me, you’re going to get the views.” “Nope, nope, nope,” he groans. “You know how I feel when you talk about Connelly’s stupid looks. It triggers my crippling inferiority.” I snort out a laugh. “What is it with you and your mother thinking that guy is handsome? He’s average, at best.” “Oh, he’s definitely not average.” “Agree to disagree.”
On my way back to the dorms, I get a phone call from my twin and soon I’ve got Wyatt whining in my ear about our mom, who didn’t appropriately fawn over the new song he sent her. I guess she didn’t love the arrangement, but the way he’s ranting, you’d think she told him to forsake music altogether and get a job in pharmaceutical sales.
Garrett Graham’s daughter is hot. She was hot when I met her six years ago, and she’s even hotter now.
“You know, most people would compliment me on the fact that I won that shootout,” I point out. “Is that what you need from people? To be told what a good girl you are?” His mocking words send a bolt of heat directly between my legs. Wow. Okay.
“You’re a very good player too.” “I didn’t say you were very good. I said you were phenomenal.”
“Mine made you laugh.” “It did,” I relent, “but if we’re both there for sex”—I nod toward Beckett—“I think he’s my man.” He beams at me. “I knew I liked you, Graham.” “Am I interrupting?” I suddenly notice Ryder in the doorway.
there’s always one slutty boy in every crew.” I already regret what I’m about to ask, but curiosity wins. “Who was the slut in yours?” “Tucker,” is the instant reply. I take another sip from my coffee mug, eyeing him over the rim. “Tucker,” I echo doubtfully. “Of course.” Dean blinks innocently. “Dude knocked up a woman on a one-night stand. Can’t get more promiscuous than that.” “The way he describes it, it was love at first sight with Aunt Sabrina.” “Tucker says a lot of things. Especially regarding me and my supposed ladies’ man reputation.” Dean winks. “Don’t believe a word of it.”
“So,” Shane pipes up, and I realize I’ve completely forgotten his presence. “This is…” His head moves between us. “Fascinating.” “What is?” I’m puzzled. Shane nods toward Ryder. “I’ve never heard him speak so many words at one time. And then to punctuate it with a compliment? Did you drug him?” “Fuck off,” Ryder grumbles.
“I came to kiss you.” My mouth falls open. I stare at him for a moment. “You…drove all the way here to kiss me.” “Yes.”
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
But Gigi doesn’t say anything. “Something on your mind?” I say gruffly. Fucking hell. I initiated a conversation. Willingly. What is happening and how do I stop this? Why can’t I stop this? I’ve never been interested in digging deeper with the women in my bed, but I’m a bit eager for a glimpse into Gigi’s head.
“Baby, I don’t want people approaching me. That sounds awful.” Her mouth falls open in awe. “Did you just call me baby?” “Did I?” I didn’t even notice. “You did.”
Garrett snickers. “Ungrateful little shit. I give you all my talent, and what do you do with it? You sing songs.” “Hey, that’s my talent,” Hannah says. He’s quickly shamefaced. “Sorry, Wellsy. Your talent is way better than mine. Hands down.” I think he truly means that. And the sheer love in his eyes almost has me feeling like a voyeur. I never saw my parents look at each other like that. I’ve never seen anyone look at each other like that.
In fact, Hannah Graham is pretty much my best friend now. Gigi teases me about how frequently we text. It started after the winter holidays, and at first, I pretended it made me uncomfortable. Shrugged it off. Said it was weird she kept contacting me. That was all talk. Whenever her mother checks in on me, it unleashes a flood of warmth in my chest. It’s a totally foreign sensation. But it’s not entirely unwelcome.
“You can’t go out there,” he insists, getting in my face again. A fucking stampede wouldn’t be able to stop me from getting to Gigi. “Like hell I can’t,” I growl. And then I give him another firm shove, forcibly moving him out of my way. “That’s my wife out there.”
I run a hand through my hair, and Case’s gaze fixes on my left hand. Just like that, his laughter dies. “Christ, Ryder. You married my ex-girlfriend,” he says flatly. “No, I married my wife.”
“Let’s be real,” he continues. “Your brother’s never getting married—” “Fuckboy till the day he dies,” I agree.
His humorous expression quickly sobers. “And you’re wrong about him. I think you’d be surprised what that man would be willing to do for you.”
