Page 75 of Play For Keeps

I lean in, bringing my lips to hers. She reacts instantly, her hand running through my hair, as I hold her close.

The kiss fades until it slows and stops. “Thank you for coming to Brookmont with me. I would have been a mess without you here.”

“I’d do anything for you.”

“I know.”

I smile and kiss her forehead, then tip her chin so she’s looking me in my eyes. “I’m coming with you tomorrow to pick up Birdie.”

I am prepared for her to protest, but this really isn’t up for discussion. I will not let her walk into a situation where she’s talked down to. I will never allow Grant to hurt her again.

“Are you sure? You don’t have to.”

“I’m not letting you go back there alone.”

She chews her lip nervously. “So that’ll be it. Grant will know that we’re together.”

“Are you going to be okay with that?”

“Yeah,” she nods. “I am.”

Good. I want him to know she’s mine.

The second Grant opens the door, I know that I made the right decision coming here. I can already tell nothing good is going to be happening here, but I remind myself to stay calm so that things aren’t any harder for Everly than they need to be. The last thing I want is to say or do something stupid and have Everly pay the consequences.

“You brought security with you?” he sneers, nodding his head at me. “Overkill, Evy, even for you.”

“Grant, this is Jake, my boyfriend.”

I notice Grant’s jaw click. “Into college guys now, I see… how cute.”

I feel a flare of anger, but I look at him steadily, reminding myself not to take the bait.

“I’m not here to start anything with you, Grant. Can you please just get Birdie so we can go?”

“You’re obviously here to start something if you brought him.” Fuck, how was Ev married to this guy? Two minutes in his company and I’m ready to strangle him. Just then, Birdie rounds the corner and spots us in the doorway.

“Jake! Mommy!” she screams, running towards us, wrapping her tiny arms around both of our legs. “Are we going home now?”

“Yes, we are. Can you grab your things?” Everly asks, squeezing Birdie in a quick hug.

“She’s all ready to go,” says a woman who is following behind Birdie. “I can bring her stuff to your car and get Birdie in her booster seat.”

“Thank you, Ida. That would be helpful.” I put two and two together. Ida is Grant’s housekeeper and Birdie’s old nanny.

“Bye, Daddy,” Birdie says, and Grant pats her head like she’s a lap dog before Ida takes her hand and walks her out to the car. Then Grant’s eyes lock on Everly and I ball my hands into fists. He glares at me next, and I can tell by the way he’s looking at me that I have a target on my back.

“I talked to my lawyer, Evy.”

“Because I won’t move back in with you?”

“I never said you had to move in with me. I said I want my daughter back in Brookmont. I want her back at Brentwood Academy.”

“Right. Because you’re such an involved parent,” Everly snaps back.

“You didn’t even call her on her birthday,” I add through gritted teeth.

“Since when was I talking to you? This is between me and my bitch ex-wife, College Boy, so I suggest you shut the fuck up,” he growls, and Everly has to grab my wrist to stop me from lunging at the son of a bitch. Grant’s gaze goes to Everly’s hand wrapped around my arm and he lets out a wry little laugh as if he thinks it’s funny that I want to clock him.

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