Defenseless Hearts (Fumbled Futures #2)

by Meagan Brandy

Deaton Vermont. Brother of Kellan Vermont. Kellan Vermont, fiancé to—

“There’s a Monroe in my bed, and it’s not the one I’m fuckin’.”

“Get over it. She got dicked, dick delivered its dick spit, and now, little dicky deserves dinner.”

“You’re not mine, Kens,” I gently tell her, pain I didn’t mean to show clear as day. “And that’s a problem for me.”

I glance at Nate, finding him and Lolli in their own world. He’s maneuvered himself, so he’s behind her, and she sits between his legs. One of his arms is on the outside of hers, caging her into him, as he eats around her with the other. Every few seconds, he runs his hand down her arm, brushes her fingers, whispers in her ear, something. Every single time, she smiles even though he can’t see it. But he knows because, after she does, he smirks to himself. They are completely and utterly entwined.

Kalani is Lolli’s real name, but only Nate and her aunt call her that; it’s their thing.

“We all have hard days, Kens. We all have weak moments, but you have to find your strength and reach for it.”

“Fourth down, five seconds on the clock. Offense is down by a touchdown. No choice but to go for a pass. What’s the safety gonna do?”

“Sometimes, in order to win, we do things we don’t always agree with. Things we think are wrong. But, Hero, a good defense can only do so much against a solid offense. If you’ve only got one play left in you, give it all you’ve got. He doesn’t deserve your respect.”

“Baby, get your ass off another man’s bed and back in the one I’m lying naked in.”

And then I realize what they’re singing—Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know.” “Parker …” “I know, baby,” he whispers, and my heart beats double time. He moves my hair from my shoulder and presses a slow, warm kiss to my neck. “In case you didn’t know, Kens. Always.”

“You’re worth everything I have, Kens,” he whispers, and a small smile takes over my lips. “Everything I am is already yours; you just have to take it.”