Page 35 of Rival Hearts

Grady gripped the dogs’ leashes and opened the door. “A concert and male strippers.”

“Yes.”

Over his shoulder, Grady grinned. “Your dad is in for a hell of a surprise.”

Another laugh rose up before I could stifle it. “His face will be priceless. I think I might let him in on the secret before then.”

His gaze was wistful before he pulled the door closed. “Probably a good idea. Most of the time, secrets just fuck things up.”

The smile faded from my face as he shut the door tight behind him. Had that comment been directed at me? Probably. I’d once told Grady that Trent and I weren’t what we appeared to be. We kept the lie going out of habit or necessity, maybe both. I yanked the elastic out of my hair and then redid my bun.

Did the truth really set people free, or did it only make things worse?

Chapter Fourteen

Grady

Isipped my coffee and admired Maggie across the conference table. She was a magnet. Wanting her was wrong. So, so wrong. It would be better if she was repellent to me, but every glance she cast my way only drew me closer. For so long, I’d hated her, convinced myself it was true. Whether it was the passage of time or being around her again, our close quarters were making me second-guess the hatred I’d clung to.

Had my feelings for her ever been hatred or something much more complicated? The corners of her lips tipped up in a partial smile, and I wondered what Emily had said to amuse her.

I wish I was the one making her smile.

The thought hit me square in the chest. Whatever shift was happening was occurring at an alarming rate. But I was coming around to the fact that maybe, just maybe, I’d been lying to myself all along.

Kelvin, Emily, Tyler, and Lila were already there. We were waiting for Trent. I could tell by the tension across Maggie’s shoulders she was anticipating a fight. If I let myself get wound up before Trent appeared, I’d say things to divide us more.

Lila flicked through her phone and stopped on something. “Okay, I know Trent isn’t here yet, which is a shame.” She grinned at Maggie, and Maggie rolled her eyes. “But I have the list of people I’ve roped into getting naked.”

Tyler sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He’d lost weight compared to the last time I saw him. Lila’s fitness regime was working. I took another sip of my coffee and eyed Kelvin.

“You on that list, buddy?”

“I am,” Kelvin confirmed. “Lila agreed to let me wear my snake briefs.”

I held up a hand. “I really don’t need the details.” I swirled the coffee in my cup and then couldn’t help myself. “Snake briefs?”

Kelvin chuckled. “A gift from an ex. He thought it was funny. My current boyfriend isn’t as keen.”

“Grady,” Lila said.

Lila and Maggie were on the other side of the table, expectant expressions on their faces. A hint of mischief lit Maggie’s brown eyes.

“What can I do for you ladies?”

Maggie smirked, and Lila raised her eyebrows. “Maggie tells me you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make this a success.”

I squirmed in my chair. Sounded like a challenge, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to back down. Most of the time, losing wasn’t an option. “You bet. What do you need?”

“Someone to teach the men with two left feet how to move sexy on stage.” Lila swayed her hips. “She thought you’d be the best person.”

My throat closed, and I nearly choked on my coffee. “What?”

Lila rotated her phone toward a clip of me dancing onCenter Stage, which made heat rise to my cheeks. One of many examples of why I was glad I could write songs for other people. Some of the shit the show had made me do was still fucking embarrassing.

“I didn’t come up with that myself.”

“But you learned it, right? Got any friends who could pop down and choreograph a strip show?” Lila pressed.

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