Face Off (Seattle Serpents, #2)

by Teagan Hunter

Me: PARROTS MASTURBATE Hutch: What in the actual fuck is wrong with you? Locke: That was not at all what I was expecting.

Another clang, this time coming from right in front of me, and I jump back as fear races through me. I see it as I’m about to turn and run like a big, totally macho man.

This place belongs to Rory Sinclair, the twin sister of my teammate’s girlfriend. She’s standing right in front of me. And she hates me.

Betty might sound like his wife, she was the calico cat he lost over five years ago.

I’m not a people person by any stretch of the imagination, but give me an animal in need any day, and my heart pours open like a fresh cut.

I’m not sure I’m ready to picture Lawson as anything other than…well, Lawson—a jock with a cocky walk and an even cockier mouth.

I groan, unsure if it’s because of what I just had to hear or because there is a tiny, minuscule—and I mean so, so small it’s practically nonexistent—part of me that wants to laugh at his lame joke.

“Anything to see me suffer, huh?” “Don’t feel too flattered. That’s not exclusive to you. I love watching the world burn.”

While I knew I’d be spending my afternoon at the theater today no matter what, I never anticipated I’d be sneaking a dog in right along with me.

my mother didn’t love the movies because they were masterpieces. She loved them for exactly what they offered: a happily ever after, something she’d been yearning for

Me when I read 😂

“Is your jacket moving?” I follow to where her stare is trained, and yep—my jacket is moving. “Is that…” She looks around before leaning in just an inch closer. “Is that the dog? Did you bring a dog into the movie theater?”

“Oh, fuck off.” The words slip out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I sit in absolute horror as the realization of what I said settles over Rory. One. Two. Three. That’s how many seconds it takes her to let out the loudest, most obnoxious laugh I’ve ever heard.

“Potty issues?” “Oh. That.” I pat my jacket where the pup is curled up. “She’s wearing a diaper.” A weary sigh. “You got her doggie diapers, didn’t you?” My cheeks heat. “There’s such a thing as doggie diapers?” “Oh, no. No, no, no. She’s wearing a people diaper, isn’t she?”

That’s how I ended up spending a holiday with the guy I can’t stand, the same guy who snuck in a damn puppy to the movie theater. Who even does that? And why…why do I find it so adorable?

And that’s how I met your father 😂😂

“She’s spoiled, and you’re a sucker.” “You say sucker, I say good dog dad.”

“Did you… Did I… Did I make you laugh? Again?”

This time, I don’t laugh, but I also don’t miss the twitch of my lips. I force them to still, annoyed I’m finding him amusing. It must be the lack of sleep.

“You’re on the other side of the country, yet you’re still so damn annoying.” “It’s a gift.” “More like a curse if you ask me.” “Yet, I didn’t.”

I know she wants a traditional, teeth-baring grin, but Keller’s face doesn’t move that way.

“Well, that’s because I am uncomfortable. Do I really have to wear a turtleneck?” “Yes. It makes you look distinguished.” “I look like a fucking nerd,” he growls, rearranging the cat.

Keller pulls his lips wider, flashing his teeth at the camera, and it’s utterly terrifying. Maybe this is the reason he never smiles. “Why is that the scariest thing I’ve ever seen?”

“Did you say hi to our daughter?” Rory sighs heavily. “Once again, we’re not co-parents, Lawson.”

Her words are cold, unemotional. But her eyes…

The eyes never lie Chico

“You’re so cynical.” “It’s my most flattering trait.”

I’m never going to be one to send “I love you” texts or regale her with my feelings. My sister knows I love her, and that’s all that matters.

I’m not excited about seeing Lawson tomorrow. Not at all. I don’t care what my damn heart says.

He’s giving Daisy filtered water. I love that he’s giving Daisy filtered water.

I can’t help but wonder if I’ve slipped off into another dimension where I’m suddenly into Lawson or something. Because if so, I’d like to return to reality now.

I don’t want a shoulder pat at this moment. I want a hug. I want a good, old-fashioned hug, maybe even one from my mom. Oh god. I want a damn mommy hug. That’s how shitty I feel.

I care that she’s wearing my jersey. I care entirely too fucking much. I’m standing here trying my damnedest not to cross this room and rip it off her, and not for the reasons she thinks.

“You don’t cook?” “Not really. I can if I really need to, but I don’t enjoy it at all. The smells and the touching of raw things and the time it takes…” She shrugs. “Not my thing.” “Raw things gross you out, yet you’re a vet?” “Fine, I’m lazy. Sue me.”

“For you, Rory, I’d gather every star in this sky and string them high somewhere only for you, just to see you smile like that again.” Her breath stutters. “Making you a key is the best I can do until then.”

Hayes: Actually, he said, “Fuck you, you fucking fuck. I’ll fuck your mom next time you come for me. Heard she knows how to handle a stick, unlike you.” Lawson: Oh shit. Yeah, I did say that. Lawson: But they deserved that chirp! Swear they were out for my blood, and I did nothing wrong. Locke: I don’t know…that check in the first was ROUGH, even from the bench. Hayes: You tried to send that guy straight to Jesus. Keller: Even I was impressed by it.

“How’s my girl doing?” “I’m good.” He tucks his lips together, his already vivid gray gaze burning brighter. “I was talking about Daisy.”

“And by hanging out you mean having phone sex with her? Ow! Stop throwing shit at me,” Hayes yells. “I get it—no phone sex. But why not tell Hutch?”

“Uh, hey,” he says, narrowing his eyes at something off screen. What he doesn’t realize is that behind him is a mirror, and I can see Hayes clearly. He’s thrusting his hips and pretending to make out with someone. Honestly, he’s doing a good job at both.

I hate…” She shudders. “Feelings. I hate having feelings.” I chuckle. “Feelings are normal.” “No. No they are not. I hate them.”

“Can. You can. And you will.” “You can’t just command me to take a break.” “No, but I can throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here and make you take one.”

“I’ll go with you…on one condition.” I narrow my eyes skeptically but nod. “Okay…” “I’m bringing my cat.” I laugh. “Deal. You can bring your cat.” “Yes!” She fist-pumps the air. “But, Wednesday?” “Yes?” “Bring my jersey too.”

I have no clue what I’ve agreed to for the weekend, but I’m completely on board, even if it does mean he’s taking me out to the middle of the woods to murder me. At least I won’t have to go back into work after this.

“Yeah, I do. Does that surprise you?” “Oh, I’m sorry. Do I need to repeat my previous question with even more shock shoved into my words?”

I try my hardest not to be turned on by Lawson putting his arm on the back of my headrest and turning around to reverse. He has a perfectly good backup camera he could be using. Does he know how hot that move is and is just doing this to torture me?

“I’ve never brought anyone else here,” he continues. “Just you and just her. I don’t share this place with people who don’t matter.”

She’s still too short to reach them. Mind you, when I bought this place, I had only myself in mind. I didn’t care that someone smaller than me couldn’t reach the cabinets because this was supposed to be my home away from home as long as I’m in Washington. But seeing Rory here, watching her read in that big leather chair or trying to reach something in the cabinet, I suddenly want to rip everything out and start over, build a place for me and for someone else too.

I can’t. If I let go, I’ll have to move, and if I move, I just might die if I’m not touching her anymore.

Fine is an understatement. Rory liked what she saw just as much as I liked her watching.

“That’s it, Rory,” he says in a low growl. “Suck my cock like you mean it. Like the good girl you are.”

“Later. Now, get on the bed and spread your legs. I want to see what’s mine.”

Do you have any fucking clue how wild you drive me with that smartass mouth of yours? The way you make me wish I could paddle your ass until you’re no longer able to smart off, only to let you up so we can start all over again?”

“You want to feel how good it is when I stretch your pussy around my cock? When I take you hard and without restraint?”