Page 28 of My Brother's Teammates

What the fuck is this guy’s deal? He has what he wants—the apartment, the boyfriend… Hell, I left damn near everything we built together. I was cheated on. I was kicked out of my home. There’s no need for him to be a dick. Especially to someone who can literally rip his arms off and beat him with them.

To my surprise, Mateo tips his head and grins. “The finest silk undies that ever had the pleasure of touching my giant dick.” His teeth rake across his bottom lip, his hand trails downward, and I’m pretty sure I have a small stroke as he squeezes my ass cheek. “Can’t get enough. So yeah, I brought my girl here to pick up her shit so she can make me lots of new panties.”

My brain stumbles over “my girl” as a delicious shiver snakes its way up my spine. I know it’s all for show, but I can’t help the wave of lust that washes over me. More than anything, I wish he’d kiss me right now. I wish he’d claim me in front of my ex and leave no doubt in that asshole’s tiny little mind that I’m taken by someone taller, broader, smarter, and a boatload more talented.

“Y-your girl?” Shane looks back and forth between Mateo and me like he’s trying to make it make sense. Asshole. Does he not think I can pull someone as hot as Mateo?

I mean, some days I don’t think I can either, but that’s beside the point.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mateo clutches his chest like he’s all butt-hurt. “You don’t think I’m pretty enough to land myself someone as beautiful as dear Charlotte?” He pauses, glancing down at me with a huge smile spread across his face. “That’s fair. But lucky for me, I’m really fucking talented with my dick. Aren’t I, Red?”

My cheeks sizzle as he runs a finger down the slope of my nose and boops the tip. I open my mouth to respond, but I’ve got nothing.

“Anyway, we need to get back to the others, so if you could just stop being an epic asshole and give my girl her shit, it’d save me from having to rearrange your face.”

Sweet baby Jesus and the little donkey. This guy. Thank God he’s not looking at my face right now because it’s still on fire, as are my lace panties.

What is it about a man threatening violence in my defense that gets me all hot and bothered?

Fuck.

Maybe I need to get checked out. Getting dumped and fired seems to be taking its toll on my mental state.

I’ve watched hockey fights on the ice my whole life and… nothing. But this… having a gorgeous man defend my honor… Fuck. Slap my ass and call me Shirley. I’m ready to drop to my knees right here and suck this man’s?—

“Charlotte?” Mateo’s staring at me with a knowing mischief in his eyes and his tongue clamped between his teeth, a sliver of it exposed and teasing me. He knows exactly what he’s doing.

That fucker.

Shane squares his shoulders like he thinks he stands a chance against a six-foot-three hockey player built of pure muscle. He never was the smart one in our relationship. But also, pretty please say something dumb so Mateo can punch you in the face and I can tend to his bruised knuckles when we get back to his place. It would be like a romance book come to life.

Kai reappears beside Shane with a dramatic eye roll. “For fuck’s sake, Shane, just get them out of here. I’ve got all your stuff by the door, there’s no need for bloodshed. I don’t have anything to get blood out of the rug.” Kai dismisses us with a flick of his wrist. “Take it, get out, and don’t come back.”

Mateo strides toward them both, and they simultaneously step back. “If we get back to our place and discover that she’s missing anything, you can count on us coming right back. You don’t want to fuck with Charlotte. Trust me.”

My girl. Our place. I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant from the thought alone.

His words fill my lungs with a lightness I haven’t felt for days, weeks even. I know he’s playing up to Kai and Shane, but I like how his words feel against my skin, how they feel inside my body. I can’t lie, there’s a piece of me that wants it to be true so I can get to know that sweet and tender side of him a little more every day. And, you know, maybe have a boyfriend I could be proud of, one who’d actually support me for a change.

“Come on, Red.” Mateo cups my chin, pulling my attention from my ex and his boyfriend back to him, my now fake-boyfriend. “Let’s grab your things and go home.” He slides his hand into mine, linking our fingers together and sending an ache straight to my core.

We make our way back to the front door, and I give Mateo a bit of side-eye, which he completely ignores. After brushing his lips across my knuckles, he releases my hand and squats to pick up my Singer sewing machine. I may take a quick step back to check out his perfect bubble butt as he does, but I’ll never admit it.

I grab the bags, packed neatly with my notebooks and fabric, and walk a step ahead of him toward the door.

“Don’t come back, Char.” Shane’s voice is low. “You’re not welcome here.”

I take a deep breath, expecting a sharp pain to stab through my chest, but nothing. “Don’t worry.” I glance back toward both of them. “There’s nothing left for me here. Just disappointment.”

Somehow, Mateo balances the sewing machine in one arm and flips them both off over his head with the other. Without looking back, he takes the bags from my hand and slips them onto his free wrist before placing his hand at the small of my back.

“Oh, and Shane?” He doesn’t wait for an answer before he continues. “Speaking of disappointment, your fucking fly is open.”

Chapter Twelve

Mateo: Red’s ex is an insufferable asshole.

Jace: I don’t think this is groundbreaking news.

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