Page 88 of Running Winter

"It's a long story. "Leigh sighed.

"I'm free all night."

Yup.

Pops wanted all the details.

MAYBE

R A F E

Mom got to the door before I did, meaning Heather was in the shit.

Or I was.

One of us, anyway.

"Hi, is Rafe in?"

Mom arched her brow at me as I raced down the stairs.

"Hey," I said breathlessly, shooting my Mom a winning smile. "Come up."

"Rafe, come join me for a drink by the pool. What's your name?" Mom asked, ignoring my wide eyes.

"Heather, Mrs. Deacon.” Came the swift reply, and I tried once again to get my Mom's attention.

"If you would like a drink, Rafe can always drive you home."

Oh, could I?

This girl was here to scream my name into a muffled pillow, for fucks sake.

Now Mom was inviting her to stay.

What was with my parents?

Luckily Dad wasn't in; otherwise, he would probably be asking her to pick a wedding venue. Heather walked in, and I couldn't help but appreciate the tight white jeans she wore—with no visible panty line.

She'd listened.

She wore a floaty lemon-colored shirt that exposed her tanned shoulders. Her hair flowed down her back, just allowing me to feast my eyes on her ass. She followed Mom but turned her head to catch my attention, her green eyes wide and her lips in an 'O'.

Heather was nervous.

This was strange for both of us because she was my fuck buddy. I didn't know shit about her, and my mother had decided to become her new best friend.

Still, Heather was cool. She wasn't a Kendra.

"Fizz? Vodka?" Mom asked while I stood by the patio doors that led to the poolside.

I loved the pool; I always had. As a kid, Chase and I had spent many a weekend in there playing games, and now I barely used it. I made a conscious note to swim tomorrow, maybe even see if Chase wanted to play ball or something like old times.

"Thank you," Heather murmured, taking a glass from my Mom's outstretched hand.

Heather's gaze lingered on me briefly, and I smirked.

She wanted me.

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