Page 46 of Play For Keeps

Pulling my truck to a stop in front of my sister’s house, I am relieved to see that the lights are still on. The front door is unlocked, so I knock as I push it open, then stop abruptly when I step into her place.

Grayson stands in the hallway, Sierra in his arms. That asshole is kissing my sister.

I see red, my hands tightening into fists at my sides.

It’s a miracle that I didn’t knock him out. I don’t recall exactly what happened, but I do know that I managed to stop myself from killing the guy. Sierra was in tears. They both swore they were going to tell me the truth. I find that hard to believe, since it turns out they’ve been together for two fucking months. Grayson says he loves her. I doubt that. He can’t commit to a house plant, never mind a woman. My sister is the one girl I asked him to stay away from. I trusted him. I feel like an idiot.

Fuck him. Fuck all of it. If they expect me to give them my blessing, they’re out of their minds. I’ll give Grayson my foot to his face instead.

Back at home, I change into gym shorts and a T-shirt and head out for a run along the beach. My shoes pound the sand as images of the two of them flash through my head. By the time I get back to my place, I’m drenched with sweat and exhausted. Kicking off my shoes, I head to the bathroom for a shower. The hot water massages my muscles, easing the tension from my body. I’m towelling off when my phone vibrates on the bathroom counter. I’m tempted to ignore it, knowing it’s probably my sister wanting to talk and I’m not ready for that. I pick it up anyways and am surprised when I see the name on the screen.

Everly: Can we talk?

Jake: Where are you?

Everly: Home. Can you come over?

Jake: On my way.

The message is shit timing, but let’s face it— I miss Everly and if she wants to talk, I want to listen. Maybe it’ll help distract me from everything else. My jaw is clenched tight the entire drive over to her apartment, and I take a deep breath before I knock on her door. My knees wobble a bit when my eyes catch on her.

She’s wearing a pair of jeans and a white spaghetti strap tank top, her feet bare. Her hair is down in waves over her shoulders. Her normally bright smile is missing, but there’s still a softness to her features.

“Hey.” Her soft voice seeps into my core.

“Are you okay?” I ask, trying and failing to not sound like I’m worried about her. She puts me at ease with a smile.

“I’m fine. Birdie’s fine. It’s nothing like that.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief. But, then what is it? This girl is going to be the death of me. I have no idea where we stand. It’s been weeks since our kiss. And since then, she’s gone out of her way to ignore me. A nervous feeling pulls at my gut.

Fuck. I shouldn’t have kissed her. I shouldn’t have asked her to open up to me about her ex. I did everything wrong.

Growing more anxious by the second about what she wants to talk about, I step inside her apartment, closing the door behind me. It’s quiet, strangely quiet, and I wonder where Birdie is.

Everly stares at me for several moments, a veil masking the expression behind her eyes while I silently ask myself… what the hell does she need to tell me?

SIXTEEN

I HAVE A NEW KINK

Everly

I open the door and immediately notice the worry in Jake’s eyes. My eyes track down the length of him to his low-slung joggers and fitted gray T-shirt. His hair is damp, and he smells like soap and clean laundry. Tension emanates from him.

I’m sure he’s mad at me for ghosting him lately, and I guess I don’t blame him. I freaked out. I needed space to sort out my feelings. Ever since that kiss I’ve been a mess of emotions, one minute angry at the way my life has turned out, and the next minute feeling like I’m seriously falling for this guy. This much younger guy. This guy who isn’t Birdie’s dad.

I think of the way Jake carried my baby girl to her bed the night she broke her arm, and of all the nights he has spent waiting outside Catch 21 just so I don’t have to walk home alone.

“I’m sorry, Jake. After everything you did for us… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shut you out.”

He stares at me for a beat, combing his hand through his hair, giving me the same look that he gives me when he’s trying to be sweet. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m the one who should be saying sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I knew the rule and I ignored it anyways.”

My throat feels tight, and my voice breaks. “There’s nothing you should feel sorry for.” I stare at him for several heart beats, before inhaling a breath. “I liked the kiss. I didn’t want you to stop.”

My admission hangs in the air between us like a heavy fog. There’s a nervousness in Jake’s eyes that wasn’t there when he walked in. He is quiet for a moment, and I can sense that he’s contemplating the meaning behind what I’ve just said. Jake’s eyes are glued to mine, and suddenly it seems ridiculous that I ever thought I could fight this pull between us.

“I got scared. I’m sorry, Jake. I told myself we could only be friends, that was the plan. But… I like you. I like you so much more than I ever expected to.”

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