Page 89 of For the Win

Harrison laughs softly.

The water is lovely and silky, swirling around us, sparkling in the sun.Our wet skin glides together in sensuous slides that are turning me on.And Harrison too, from the bulge I feel in his shorts.Daringly, I brush my hand over it as we play in the water.

Noah gets a ball and we do a little impromptu volleyball.I’ve always loved swimming, and having a pool is such a luxury.This is heaven, and so much fun with Harrison’s siblings all cracking jokes.

Later, changed into dry clothes, we fill plates from the platters set out on the outdoor bar and take seats to eat grilled chicken and veggies, salads, and bruschetta on crusty, chewy bread.The conversation turns to hockey (surprise).

“What were you and JP nearly fighting about in that last game?”Everly asks Harrison.

He grins as he cuts his chicken.“I played a little prank on him.”

“What did you do?”I ask, wide-eyed.

“I stuffed his gloves full of bubble gum.”

“Eeeew!”My jaw drops.“Chewed-up gum?”

“No, no!It was wrapped.I laugh every time I think of him trying to shove his paws into his glove and trying to figure out why he can’t get them on.And then when he sees the gum.Ha!”

“And then when he realizes who did it,” Ash adds.

“You guys and your pranks.”Mrs.Wynn shakes her head.

“It’s tradition,” Harrison says.“Especially when it’s another Wynn.”

The talk turns to playoff predictions, and I’m fascinated by their analysis of how other teams will do, their strengths and weaknesses.

My gaze is caught by movement at the side of the house.I blink as two men walk around the corner, following the brick path to the patio.I gesture to Harrison beside me, who looks up.

“Jesus.”His head jerks back.

Everyone else looks too.

“Mark!Matthew!”Mrs.Wynn exclaims, standing.“Hi!”

“What are you guys doing here?”Mr.Wynn growls, also standing.

“It’s your birthday, Dad,” one of the men says.I’m not sure who is who.“We thought we’d come by.”

“You weren’t invited,” Mr.Wynn says bluntly.

The men and Mrs.Wynn exchange glances and I have a suspicion that she may have invited them.

“Well, have some food, since you’re here.”She gestures to the bar.“I’ll get a couple more plates.”She sets her dinner down on a table and hustles into the kitchen.

Harrison rises slowly and follows Mark and Matthew to the bar.“Can I get you a drink?”he offers.

They each take a beer and help themselves to food.Conversation has dried up, the atmosphere suddenly dense and heavy.I look around at the others.

“You haven’t met Arya,” Harrison says to his half brothers.“Arya, this is Matthew, and this is Mark.”

I smile and shake hands.Matthew is clearly older and looks very much like his dad, his hair graying and receding a bit.Mark has merely a touch of gray, and his wide shoulders and lean build indicate a very fit and muscular man.“Nice to meet you.”

Noah has pulled two more chairs closer to us and they sit with their plates.

“Happy birthday, Dad,” Mark says, echoed by Matt.

“Well.”Mrs.Wynn sits and looks around the group.She doesn’t look fazed by the unexpected appearance of her stepsons.

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