Play With Me (Playing for Keeps, #2)

by Becka Mack

“You know, Andersen, I only live five minutes down the road. That means I’m only five minutes away if you need your ass kicked.” “Yeah, and I’m only five minutes away if you need your ass kicked.” “I said that first!” “I said it second!”

His gaze lights when it falls to the box I’m half lying on top of. “Oooh, toys. What kinda toys?” “Nothing!” I shriek, jerking it out of his reach. My shoulders tighten as I clutch it to my chest. I spread my fingers wide, trying to distort the word from view, even though he’s already seen it. “Nothing!” Carter looks at the box, then me. Back to the box, then back to me again. After everything we’ve been through, I thought I was safe. I genuinely thought I’d get to keep my balls. But the longer he watches me without blinking, the less sure I become. It would have been nice to procreate with Jennie one day, but I guess some things are only meant to be dreams. Carter finally blinks, just once, slowly. “What’s in the box, Garrett?” “Nothing.” A bead of sweat rolls down my temple. Carter’s gaze flicks to the droplet, watching it roll. When our eyes meet again, I repeat quietly, “Nothing.” He stares at me for five seconds, then ten. It’s a full twenty seconds before his next word comes, a terrified breath barely heard. “No.” “I’m so sorry,” I whisper. He steps back, head shaking. “No.” “It’s—it’s not what you—we don’t….she had them before!” I shout after him as he runs out the door. “I didn’t buy them!”

HELPPPP

“Hey, Jennie, are we gettin’ that pizza or—” Carter’s words end a shriek as he stops at the top of the staircase, horrified gaze glued to our intimate position. I can only assume he heard my last words too.