Page 108 of My Brother's Teammates

“Wow. That’s a long time to harbor feelings for someone, Peanut. Didn’t you ever think about… or want to… I dunno, act on them?”

I widen my eyes like he’s an idiot as Sally places ranch next to his plate. “Only all the damn time, but he’s your best friend, and I didn’t want to fuck with that.” Pancake sticks in my throat, tears welling in my eyes. “Ended up doing it anyway.”

Harrison shakes his head. “We’re not jumping ahead. Stay in the past for a sec. So when you moved in with the guys, you and Jace… You…” His ears turn red as he waves his finger back and forth. He’s not searching for the word, he’s just refusing to say it.

I shake my head. “Not at first. Roman kissed me.” I smile at the memory, touching my lips, my heart swelling with the pain of missing him. “On the balcony. Then Mateo kissed me.”

Does he know about Mateo and Roman?

It’s not something I feel comfortable sharing if he doesn’t. The growing relationship between the two of them isn’t something we’ve talked about telling people, so I’m not.

“Jace was the last to fall.” I risk a giggle, and Harrison rolls his eyes.

“When you found us in the hall at the restaurant, nothing had happened.”

His eyes bug wide. “You’re kidding. I could have cut the sexual tension in that hallway with my fucking house key, Peanut.”

When I laugh this time, it’s more free, the anxiety and worry about talking to Harrison unwinding with each thing he says.

He narrows his eyes. “They never forced you into anything? Never made you do… things… in exchange for letting you stay?”

“Oh my God, Harry!” I gasp. “No, not at all. They were all really sweet and respectful.” My voice cracks, and I have to blink faster to keep the still-threatening tears under wraps.

“Do you love them?”

I nod, tears now trickling down my face. “I’m not sorry for loving them, Harrison. I’m not. I know it’s not… a typical relationship, but it was working, and I was happy. I’m sorry for lying and keeping secrets behind your back.”

“I’m sorry for making you feel that you couldn’t talk to me about any of this.” He shakes his head before popping half an onion ring into his mouth. “I get it. I’ve said from day one you’re off-limits. That in itself was dickish. I made it impossible for any of you to talk to me. I just… It’s a lot.”

I don’t feel like the weight is fully off my shoulders by any means, but getting some of this out in the open is helping. There’s a tightness in my chest that talking to Harrison isn’t healing, and my gut knows why.

We finish our meal in a heavy silence. Harrison’s lost in thought, and no amount of studying his face is telling me what’s going on in his mind. When he’s ready to share, he’ll tell me.

But the more I stare at my brother, who is now scowling at his burger, the more I wonder what our next steps are.

Is he going to ask me to stay away from his friends? Is he going to make me choose between him and his teammates?

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Jace: Did you guys get a text from Meghan?

Mateo: Negative

Roman: No…

Roman: Was I supposed to?

Jace: I don’t know. She just sent me a message asking for Charlotte’s sewing machine, her fabrics, and all that other shit.

Mateo: No.

Mateo: Not just a regular no, a fuck no.

Mateo: All that shit belongs with us. She belongs with us.

Jace: I’m not going to disagree, but she asked for space, right? She’s trying to start a business. She’s going to need all her stuff while she’s staying with Meghan.

Mateo: I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all.

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