Page 131 of Stealing Second

She stands. “I’m gonna hug you.”

“I understand the assignment.” I open my arms. “Bring it in.”

“And now, we sit and wait.”

“Now I know what a duck feels like,” I joke and then add, “I want this piece of shit to go down.”

“He will,” she says pointing at the blanket where the small cooler I got yesterday is sitting. “Don’t expect much; the wraps are leftovers from last night.”

* * *

I follow Gwen back to CeCe’s, and when we get there, the guys are already back. Nour is outside with Elle, and Marks is walking across the yard from my place.

“Shit game tonight,” he remarks.

“Let’s not even mention that inside.” Nour sighs as he hands me the leash and walks in.

“Not for nothing, but after the way the day started, it’s amazing you didn’t lose by more,” Gwen calls to him.

Once he’s out of earshot, Marks chuckles. “Wow, you’re taking this whole role-playing CeCe to heart, York.”

I bend down and pick up Elle. “You behave, little miss?”

“That pup’s seriously the best,” Marks says, heading up the porch steps.

“Hudson did good,” I admit then stop. “The fact that Nour didn’t question the wig makes me wonder if they know what’s up.”

“They don’t,” Marks says.

“Your family know about the fire?” Gwen asks as we walk into the house.

“Hudson does. I don’t want to get Mom and Jillian all worked up.”

I set Elle down and remove her harness. She heads to her crate, grabs her White Paw, and brings it to me.

“Bringing Daddy a drink?” I chuckle as I pet her. “You’re a good girl.”

“Nour and I cooked.” AJ chuckles and holds out two massive Taco Bell bags.

“You’re the best, AJ. But I’m not petting you.”

We all eat together, and as soon as watching highlights is mentioned, Blaze heads up to the room Cora was sleeping in to get some sleep.

“You and me then, huh?” Locke asks Gwen.

She rolls her eyes then looks at Marks. “Tell him to go ahead and go up.”

Locke chuckles. “Why? Did you put a dead rat in the bed or something?”

“She wouldn’t disrespect CeCe’s home like that.” Marks leans back and links his fingers behind his head.

“The other living room set up for me?” she asks Marks.

He nods. “But you take Danny and Chloe’s room. I’m good in there.”

I stand up off the couch. “I’m gonna take Elle out one last time before I head up.”

“I’ll come with.” Marks pushes off the couch. “I need to show you the system I set up at your place. It’s running off CeCe’s internet until you get yours back up and running.”

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