Page 72 of Friend Zoned

"Lady and gentleman, God exists," Layla says. “The shit’s about to hit the fan, and I’m here for it. Carry on, kids.” With that, she exits my office, finally leaving me alone with Aiden.

Chapter 40

Aiden

“Bad idea,” I say while I try to adjust myself in Jeannie’s seat. It’s not easy with her sitting on my lap. Ever since she put that luscious ass on me, my dick’s had a mind of its own. She wiggles on top of me, and I tighten my arm around her. “Behave. I’m two seconds away from tossing this food and spreading you open on this desk.”

She giggles and offers me a California roll. She feeds me from the different containers, and I let her. This is where I’ve wanted to be all day. Here with her and protecting her from that asshole who’s still trying to hurt her.

“So good,” she says. She puts down the chopsticks, and I nudge her. She picks them up and feeds me again. “I forgot you’re a bottomless pit,” she teases.

Once everything is eaten, I help her clean up the desk.

“Have I told you how wonderful you are lately?” she asks.

I pull her into my arms. “Not since this morning.”

“Well, you are. I love you.” She smiles up at me, and I wonder how any man was stupid enough to have this woman and let her go. “Thanks for showing up today.”

I tap her nose with my fingertip. “I love you.” I hold her stare. “You know I’ll never hurt you,” I tell her. “And I hate that anyone ever has.” Then I remind myself that she wouldn’t be with me right now if Quintin hadn’t been such an amoral pig.

“I know.” She wraps her arms around me and rests her head on my chest. We stand like that until someone knocks on the door, and Jimmy walks in with my iPad, laptop and two large duffel bags. He sets them down and leaves. “What are you up to, babe?” she asks.

“Who?Me? I brought my girlfriend lunch.” I try to sound innocent. It’s true. I came to have lunch with her and distract her from his presence, but I was discovered. That was unintentional, but not unwelcome.

“Your girlfriend appreciates it, but—” Whatever she was going to say gets cut off by a knock on the door. Layla comes barreling through with Harris and Chastain behind her.

“I think they are looking for you, Coach,” she says. She stands there, in awe. She blushes when she looks at Harris. I kiss Jeannie’s nose and approach the members of my team. Harris might not be as mature as Chastain, but he’s a phenomenal player and is incredibly popular.

“The douchebag’s head is about to explode,” I hear Layla whisper. “I’ve been sneaking in and out. The whore looks close to tears, and I might have stuck my finger in a cupcake.”

Another knock on the door, and Wakowski walks in. Despite his antics, or maybe because of them, he’s incredibly popular too. I pull them aside in Jeannie’s small office and tell them what I need. I grab the bag and sling it over my shoulder.

“So, I’m going to take these guys to the restaurant here and buy them some drinks,” I announce.

“And food,” Wakowski says. “I left the comfort of my house for you, and it’s butt ass cold outside.”

“Food too, Seth,” I tell him. The kid never stops eating. Eating and fucking are his two favorite things.

“Layla, if you see the kid, let him know where I am.” I rest a hand on her shoulder. “Under no circumstances should anyone else know I’m here with these guys. Do you understand what I’m saying? I don’t want anyone to know.”

She gives me an exaggerated wink and a high-five. “And let me introduce you. This is Colt Chastain, Shane Harris, and Seth Wakowski. Guys, this is Layla, Jeannie’s friend.” Layla stands starstruck but she shakes everyone’s hand. Harris turns hers over and kisses it. She gasps and looks at Jeannie. She barely looks at Wakowski when he takes her hand in his. In fact, she wipes her hand on her pants after he shakes it. She’s all smiles for Chastain though. She bats her eyelashes and runs a hand through her hair.

“If I knew you were into the sistahs,” she says. Then she clears her throat and puts both hands to her cheeks. “I mean, your wife is a lucky woman.”

“Layla, remind her of that next time you see her,” Colt says. “We’ll meet you in the restaurant,” he says to me. “Good to see you again, Jeannie.” He taps her shoulder on his way out.

“Oh, my God, Colt Chastain knows my name.” She does this dramatic spin around the office. “And Wakowski is gross,” she whispers to Jeannie. “He sleeps with anything.” She rubs her hand on her pants again. “I’m going to boil my hand, and then I’m off to go do the Lord’s work,” Layla says as she skips out of the room.

Once the office is clear, Jeannie looks at me with her lips pursed. “I see what you’re doing, but you must know that I don’t care about him being here. I don’t care about any of it. I worked through that before we met.” She grabs both my hands and holds onto them. I squeeze hers before lifting them to my lips.

“I know. All I’m doing is buying my team some drinks.”

“Mmhmm,” she says. “That’s it?”

“That’s it. Scout’s honor.” I drop her hands so I can do a mock salute.

“Were you ever a boy scout?”

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