Page 76 of Choosing Skyler

I could kick Devon’s ass right now. He’s such a damn diva.

“Look. At. Me. Skyler,” I say forcefully.

When her eyes snap to mine, I wink at her as I lean down to whisper in her ear. “Good girl.” Then, I straighten back up to watch that beautiful blush spread across her cheeks. “I’m not upset, Beautiful. I don’t care who you tell. I’m not concerned with anyone’s opinion except yours, but I know you worry about what others think and say. So, who we do or don’t tell is entirely up to you. Okay?”

She nods, glancing at Devon and Tracey again. “I trust Devon with everything, Brady. He’s myperson. Or hewasuntil I met you. He was your person, too and I don’t want him to think he’s losing either of us because we’re together.”

“He’snotlosing either of us. He’s stillourperson,” I tell her, kissing her forehead.

She grins. “I have an idea. Will you check out for me?” she asks, handing me her credit card.

I nod, taking her card even though I won’t be using it. She goes up on her toes to kiss me before running up to slide under Devon’s free arm. He turns his head to kiss her temple before glancing back at me with a question in his eyes. I grin at her antics and shrug.

What he doesn’t see is her squeezing Tracey’s arm in support behind him. They walk like that all the way to the front of the store to wait for me to go through the checkout line with Skyler’s clothes. They’re talking, but I can’t hear what they’re saying over the hum of other shoppers in the store. I checkout, paying for Skyler’s clothes withmycredit card, and make my way over to them.

“Where to next?” I ask.

Skyler answers, “It’s up to Devon and Tracey since they invited us and then let me do my shopping first. I’m having fun. I just want to hang out with my people.”

“We didn’t have ashoppingplan, Sweets. It’s just a mall day. Hanging out with our people is the whole plan. We’re just glad you and Brady came with us,” Devon says, squeezing her to his side.

And that was her idea. To remind Devon that we are all here together. With that small reminder, his carefree goofiness is back.

“Let’s hit the food court for lunch and check out some hotties,” he says, making us all laugh.

We all line up on one side of the table after we finish lunch with a new set of rules for the game. The guys and girls take turns “pointing” for the others judge. It’sBattle of the Sexesstyle. One guy and one girl for each round. After a few rounds I notice a pattern. While Skyler and I couldn’t care less about anyone else, we still play, enjoying the time with our friends. But Devon and Tracey are really into the game, seeming to battle each other.

When Devon points at a tall guy with black hair and a wallet chain, Tracey shakes her head, shocking me.

“Really, Tracey? He’s practically Devon. Just taller and skinnier.” I laugh.

She shrugs. “Too tall.”

I point to a short red headed woman in hospital scrubs and Tracey nods, smiling.

“I see why you and Devon are such a good pair. Your tastes are as all over the place as his,” Skyler says, turning toward Tracey.

Devon scoffs. “Nah. She just pictures what they would look like in my lap.”

The whole table goes dead silent until Tracey breaks it with a laugh, shrugging. “It’s true. You’re my people. I trust you all enough to know my shit. I like to watch. That’s my kink,” she says, winking at Skyler.

“It’s a shame Brady is such a bulldog and Skyler’s such a good girl becauseherin Devon’s lap is some of the hottest shit I’ve ever seen in my life,” Tracey says, fanning her cheeks.

Skyler’s jaw drops. “Tracey! What the…Really? You think I’m hot?”

Tracey bumps her shoulder. “Is your mirror warped or something? I’d kill for your curves and wavy hair. Tell her, Bulldog,” she says, looking around Skyler to me.

“Beautiful.” I agree, smiling when Skyler blushes.

Devon chimes in, laughing. “Give it up, Tracey. Brady’s not gonna share. The closest you’ll get is seeing her inhislap.”

Tracey turns back to Devon. “Watch it, Diva. I know things you don’t. That may be something I’d be down to see.” She turns back to Skyler and winks again.

What exactly did Skyler tell her?

“Game over,” Skyler declares. “Tracey wins.” She laughs, looking at Tracey and Devon. “Are you guys coming back to the apartment?”

Tracey nods, grinning. “What do I win? Do I get to watch?” she says, bouncing her eyebrows.

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